The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-26
ganize the territory of Tishmingo, and for

ganize the territory Of Tishmingo, and for
other purposes.
Mr.. Matthews introduced q resolution de-
elaring that United States bonds may be paid
in silver coin, and at his request 1t was ordered
to be laid on the table.
The resolution Of inquiry as to what legal
im~pediments exist which prevent the President
from executing the laws In regard to the Union
Pacific railroad company was adopted.
The House bill for the relief Of the sufferer
by the wreck Of the Huron WAS passed with an
amendment providing for the payment to the
heirs of those lost on the Huron IL months
sea pay ; to the heirs Of Capt. Guthrie, OF the
life-saving service, one years salary, and to
the heirs Of those of the B.. & J. Bakers crew,
who we're lost in attempting to save life, 500
each.
MI. Mcdonald gave notice that upon the 18th
of January he would offer resolutions in re-
spect to the memory and public services Of his
late colleague, Mr.. Morton.
A resolution was adopted in~structing the
committee on the District Of Columbia to in
quire and report proper form Of government
for the District.
The resolution from the committee On privi-
leges and elections declaring j. B. Eustis en-
titled to q seat as Senator from Louisiana from
Jan. u, 1876, for the term ending March 8,
1879, was called up, and after a brief discus
sion was adopted by q vote Of 40 yeast to 8nays.
MI. EuSCS WAS lQeQ bWOIu LII.
The resolution of Mr.. Matthews to pay the
bonds in silver WAS discussed.
House.
The speaker called the House to order, and
the regular session Of the forty-ifth Congress
was opened with prayer by the chaplain, after
which the roll was called and showed the pres
ence Of 221 members. The Presidents mes
sage was then received. read, and referred to
the committee OF the whole on the state Of the
Union.
Mr.. Baker, Of Indiana, presented a jointreso.
luton, prohibiting the payment Of any claims
for damages growing out Of the taking, use or
destruction Of property during the civil war.
The bill which strikes from the statute books
the law prescribing the taking Of the "cast-
iron oath" was passed.
Mr.. Hartzell, OF Illinois, presented a bill sub
shutting greenbacks for the issue Of the Ma
tional Banking Association.
Mr.. Dibril, Of Tennessee, presented a bill
providing for a tax Of three pc. can't. on all
amounts Of income over 50, 900.
Mr.. Townshend, Of Illinois, from the COM
mittee on patents, reported q bill to repeal e1-
listing statutes for the renewal Of patents, and
declaringi it unlawful hereafter for the commits
;;i ar ere Of ds pstept %, to renew Of extend ten te snyy patent
ject Of the bill was to take away from the statute
book a law which Was dead and imperative, the
commissioner Of patents not having now the
right to make renewals. After some discussion
the bill was passed.
MIR. Harrison, Of Illinois, introduced q bill
that proposes to levy upon the incomes Of all
United States citizens which may be over 81, 600
and under 90, 900 annually, a tax Of one per
cent over 80, 900 and under So, 900, one and a
quarter per cent. and 6 graduating scale up TO
and including S29, QUO over $23, 900 and under
$35, 600, a tax Of three per cent; over S35, 900
and under $50, 900, four per cent. and five per
cent. on all incomes in excess Of $50, 900. Re-
ferred to the ways and means committee.
Two resolutions we're offered making in
quries in regard to the Cuban insQrrection, but
were objected to.
MIR. Harris, Of Virginia, chairman OF the
election committee, submitted the majority re-.
port In the Colorado contested election case
declaring T. N. Patterson (Democrat) elected.
Mr.. Wait, Of Connecticut, submitted q minority
report declaring j. B. Bedford (Republican)
elected; and Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, presented q
third report declaring that no election in Col
orado had taken place.
The Senate amendments to the bill for the
relief of the sufferers by the loss Of the Huron
were concurred in and the bill passed.
A bill was introduced by MIR. Joyce, Of YER
mont, adjusting the salaries Of postmasters on
the basis of the number of stamps cancelled
instead Of on the number Of stamps sold ; also q
resolution proposing an amendment t. the
constitution providing that the term Of Office
Of the President shall be six years.
On the question Of the distribution of the
Presidents message a discussion arose on an
amendment offered by Mr.. Hewitt, Of New
York, specially directing the attention Of the
committee on foreign affairs to the affairs on
the Rio Grande, and recommending the con-
sideration Of such means as will prevent the
possibility Of war, and continue the mainten-
ance Of peace between the United States and
Mexico. All the speeches made upon the sub
ject, except that Of MIR. Mills, Of Texas, were
pacific in tone.