The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-24
FORTY.FOURTH CONGRESS.
Proceedings of the Second Sessio

ton and had read at the clerks desk an ar
ticle published in the Washington Union to
the effect that last summer charges were
made against William McMicken, Surveyor
malfeasance in office, and that he was retained
in Office through the influence OF Senator
Window; also that he had paid money to
Senator Window for his appointment and re-
tention in office, but no action had been
taken upon them, and there was dispo-
dom's reelection as Senator. It was true
that charges had been made against him
(Windom) in the Department OF the Interior
within the past day or two, by one H. J.
Chapman, of Washington Territory, o. Ore
gon. Last summer there was conference
relative to the removal of McMicken. Chap
man came here to get the appointment, and
charged McMicken with malteasance in Office.
He lWindom) having known McMicken
many years did not believe the charge to be
true: He went to the department, and m at his
request an investigation was made. The re-
suit was that McMlcken was vindicated
Since then Chapman had notified him that
unless he withdrew his opposition to the re-
moval of McMicken he would let loose the
dogs OF war. and the publication in the Union
was the result. Among the charges filed
against McMcken was one that he
PAID SENATOR WINDOW MONEY
for having been retained in Office. He WIN
dom this morning called on the grand jury
now in session in this city, and presented the
case, and the individual (Chapman) would
made, or would be indicted. Mr.. Windon
moved that committee OF three Democratic
Senators he appointed to investigate the
charge. The resolution was unanimously re-
iected, many Senators expressing themselves
as unwilling to thus dignity the assault upon
the Senator.
In the House on the 18th, president
l., >>lo Ill
ness as a reason for not appearing in New Or
leans to answer the questions OF the investi-
eating committee. A bill was called up max
ing it unlawful for more than one regiment of
infantry, one company OF cavalry and one
battery of artillery to be stationed at the nat
ional capitol, and that no portion OF that force
shall be allowed within half mile of the cap
itol during the session Of Congress. Defeat
ed
Mr.. Patterson, in the Senate on the
10th, submitted a resolution recognizing the
Chamberlain government in South Carolina
rs the lawful government, and declaring that
it shall be recognized by the general govern
ment Mr.. Johnston spoke at length on the
Presidents communication regarding the
presence of troops at Petersburg, Va. on
election day. No business wastransacted.
The House, on the 10Th, had up Il
proposition 10y the Judiciary committee to
send ;or Wells. Anderson, Kassanave and
during the consideration of which a running
debate was had which was interrupted at in
tervals by applause in the galleries. The de-
bate was a most bitter political wrong for
which we have no space even tor a summary.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Nor
ton announced that the appropriation for in
vestigations had been exhausted, and All ad-
ditional amount asked for which was refused
by action of the House. Mr.. Morton also re-
piled to the Senators from Virginia in their
charges against the President tor quarteriug
troops at Petersburg. There was no business
before the Senate.
In the House, on the 18th bill was
introduced organizing the Territory of Okla
hama, also bill extending the time tor pay
ment of public lands in cases where crops
have been destroyed by grasshoppers. Bit
ter discussion occurred over the proposition to
compel the Louisiana returning board 10 pre-
duoe certain documents before the House, and
the order was made by strict party vote, and
the arrest OF the returning board was ordered.
After presenting the report of the
joint committee on counting the electora
OF the Senate to MIR. Anthony, who offered a
resolution to print ten thousand extra copies
of the report. Mr.. Hamlin introduced bill
to change the basis Of fixing the salaries OF
post1nasters of the fourth class to the number
of stamps cancelled instead of the stamps
lowing pensions to those once in the rebel but
afterwards federal army, was passed.
Senator Edmunds reported the bill agreed
upon by the joint committee of both houses
tor the settlement Of the Presidential dispute.
The bill provides that the two houses meet
in Joint convention on the first Thursday in
February and that the President of the Senate
shall be the presiding officer. Tellers shall
be appointed who shall read the returns after
they are opened by the President, in alphabet
ical order. Whenever there is but one return
from State, it shall be counted unless OBJ
lection Is made, but whenever dispute arises
and the Senate and House, acting separately,
fail to agree, then the disputed returns are to
be submitted to the committee offve Senators,
five Representatives and five Associate Justices
Of the Supreme Court the two houses to elect
their respective referees. The Justices to be
those of the first, third, eighth, and ninth
circuits with such other as they may select.
The referees are to take special oath, and
their decision in each case presented is to be
nnai, unless the two houses, acting separately,
would occupy too much of our space to give it
main points shorn Of technicalities.
In the House, on the 18th, Mr..
Knott spoke at length on the powers and du-
ties of the House in counting the electoral
vote, after which a resolution was offered by
the Republicans, declaring the power to count
the votes to be vested in the President of the
Senate. Mr.. Burchard supported the resolu-
ton in an extended speech. The resolution
went over without action.
In the Senate on che 10th Mr.. White
OF Maryland proposed to adjourn over to
Monday, but Mr.. Edmunds called the atten-
ton Of members to the fact that the bill for
counting the electoral vote must be decided
in ore week, and he insisted on the Senate
meeting on Saturday and that the bill be ia
ken up at once; if the bill was to be killed let