Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-01-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE.

On the 9th, the speaker laid before the
house communication from VIM. r. Morri
son, chairman of the committee on Louisi.
ana affairs, relative to the refusal of vii.
liam Orton, president Of the western union
telegraph company, to appear before said
committee. Bills were introduced by MIR.
Watterson to regulate commerce among
states. Mr.. White, (ky,) asked leave to Of
fer resolution reciting that fears were en-.
tertained lest there shall not be q peaceful
settlement of the presidential question, and
declaring that any attempt to prejudice and
excite the public mind ia advance of the
decision by the authority provided bv the
constitution, is unwiSe, unpatriotic, and full
of danger, and that is the duty of all good
citizens to peacefully and faithfully abide by
the results reached IN accordance with the
constitution. Mr.. O'Brien (Md.) objected.
Mr.. SChllecher offered a resolution calling on
the president for copies of papers in posses.
sion OF the state and war departments rela-
tive to the Imprisonment of John j. Smith,
an American citizen, by the Mexicans, and
also IN reference to the numbering and rob
bing by Mexican soldiers Of Samuel Higgins.
Adopted Mr.. Durham, from the committee
on revision of laws, reported back the sen.
ate bill to correct the statute to punish coun.
terfeiting so as to require intent to be shown.
Passed. hr, O'Brien (Md from committee
on mines and mining, reported back the sen
ate Just resolution to authorize the president
to appoint three commissioners to attend an
international conference on the subject of
the relative values of gold and silver, with
an amer 'ment, authorizing the president to
propose such conference to foreign govern
ments. The morning hour having expired
and the joint resolution laid over, Mr.. Rea-
gan, from committee on commerce, reported
back the bill repeating so much of the act
Of December II, 1872, as provides for pivot
draw in any bridge to be erected over the
Ohio river between Covington and Cincin
natl. After discussion, the matter went
over and the house adjourned.
In the house on the l1th, Mr.. Hol-
mans amendment to the consular and di
plomatic appropriation BILL decreasing the
salaries of ministers and consuls, was de-
ieated by vote of 80 to 100. Mr.. Norton
from the committee on privileges and ,elec-
tons, submitted resolution discharging
Enos Runyon, of the firm of Martin d Run.
yOn, bankers and brokers, New York, from
the custody of the sergeant.at.arms, he hav
ing testified before the committee. Agreed
to. All amendments to the consular and
diplomatic bill, were voted down and the
bill passed. The military academy appro.
priation bill was taken up and passed with
out amendment 1t appropriates S265, 16l,
reducuon OF Sl29,919 from the estimates,
and reduction of S24944 below the bill of
session; reduction in the West Point
academy in the pay department where $2S,.
loo had been saved by striking out the
longevity pay and by not paying the assist.
ant professors and teachers any more than
their regular army pay; $S,544 was saved in
the reduction of the band at West Point.
and $1,000 on the item for repairs, Consent
was given printing of the testimony taken
by the committee on the election in Florida.
Mr.. Willard offered as substitute an amend.
ment authorizing the president, in the event
oi a full reconciliation oil silver, should one
or more countries unite upon the convention
with view to agree upon uniform reia.
ton Of silver with gold, to appoint three
persons to attend said convention, aud also
authorizing him to propose TO such countries
as use both gold and silver as a legal stand
ard Of value of such convention. The con.