Helena weekly herald., 1877-12-20
FORIY.PIFI'H CONGRESS.
SENATE.


many bills were presented and referred.
Edmunds submitted resolution authorizing
a select committee, to take into consideration
the state of the law respecting the ascertain
ing and declaration of the result of the elec-
tions of President and Vice President; to also
consider and report upon the best manner
of electing those officers and duration of
their terms of Office. Agreed to.
AT the expiration of the morning hour the
consideration of unfinished business was re-
sumed, being the resolution of Matthews de-
caring the right of the government to pay
bonds in silver, and Chaffee submitted the
following as substitute:
That all bonds of the United States issued
or authorized to be issued under said acts OF
Congress heretofore enacted, are payable,
principal and interest, at the option of the
government, in coin of gold or silver OF the
standard value under which such bonds were
issued, and to restore to its coinage such
silver coin as legal tender coequal with gold
coin is not in violation OF the rights of public
creditors. Ordered printed.
Morgan spoke in favor of the resolution of
Matthews, and Christiancy in opposition,
when the Senate by a vote of A to 81 went
into executive session.
WASHINGTON, December 13.-Cameron, OF
Wisconsin, presented the petition of David
T. Corbin, of South Carolina. asking that his
claim to seat from that State may be in
quired into and decided upon its merits. He
moved that the petition lie upon. the table for
the present, and gave notice that he would
call it up hereafter and move its reference to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
So ordered.
Dawes introduced a bill to authorize and
equip an expedition to the Arctic seas. Re-
ferred. a.
Voorhees, submitted the following resolu-
ton and gave notice that he would call it up
ON Wednesday, January 18th, tor the pur-
pose of submitting some remarks thereon:
Resolced, That it is of the highest impor-
tance that the financial credit of the govern
ment be maintained, and in order to do so
the government itself in all its departments
should in good faith keep all its contracts
and obligations entered into with its citizens.
At the expiration of the morning hour con-
sideration was resumed of the resolution OF
Matthews, to pay bonds in silver, and Bayard
spoke in opposition.
Ferry, from the Post Route Committee, re-
ported the annual Post Route bill. Placed on
the calendar.
Davis resolution asking the Secretary of
War for information regarding the militia of
the several States, was agreed to.
Bayard reviewed the financial acts of the
United States and took strong position
against Matthews resolution.
Hereford took the floor on Matthew'S reso-
luton, but the Senate went into executive
session at 4 o'clock, and at $50 adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, December 12.-Immediately
after the reading of the journal, Morrison
said he noticed that the Speaker yesterday
appointed several members who were ex-
cused. He desired to know when those men,
bers had been excused?
The Speaker said he had asked permission
to fill certain vacancies.
Morrison replied that was not his question.
The House had never excused those gentle
men from serving on committees. Could q
member excuse himself?
The Speaker answered that it had been the
uniform practice to excuse gentlemen who
did not wish to serve.
Stephens introduced bill repeating the
iron-clad oath which has to be taken by ap-
plicants for pension. Referred.
Harris. Chairman of the Election Commit
tee, called up the Colorado contested election
case, and presented the majority report
signed by the Democratic members declaring
Patterson entitled to seat, and the minority
report signed by Hiscock, Waite and Thorn
burgh, declaring Belford duly elected. Cox.
of Ohio, submitted another report declaring
that there had been no valid election.
Presentation of arguments in support OF
the majority and minority reports OF the
Election Committee occupied the remainder
of the days session. The speeches were
mostly written and were read by their respec-
tive authors without attracting the attention
or interest of the House. At last they were
interrupted to permit of the following pro-
ceedings:
By Wilson-A bill to provide for the dis
tribution of the award made under the con-
vention with Mexico of July 4th, 1868. Ord
cred printed and recommitted. This bill is
reported as a substitute for that referred to