Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-01-25
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.

MONDAY, Jan. IA resolution was
passed in the Senate to print $1,000 extra copies
of the testimony taken before the Committee on
Privileges and Elections in regard to the late cleo
tions in Louis ana, Florida and South Carolina.
large number of petitions were presented and
referred. New rules were reported and considered
for the government Of the Senate. The time for
tbe report of the committee 10 inquire into the
changes in the relative value of gold and silver,
the causes thereof, etc was extended to Feb ;5.
Mr.. Window made personal explanation relative
to certain charges iii the Washington Union re-
flecting upon his character, and moved the ap-
pointment of commit ee of investigation.
which motion was unanimously rejected,
sew raj Senators expressing themselves satisfied
of the falsitv of the charges. Mr.. Orton, Presi-
dent of the Western Union Telegraph Company
was before the bar OF the House for contempt in
not appearing before the Louisiana InvestIgat-
ing Committee, and pleaded illness as an excuse,
disclaiming any disrespect and expressing a
Willingness to appear before the committee on
its return 10 Washington and give his testimony
fully and freely. He was remanded. A resolu-
ton was adopted reclinS that fears were enter
tanned that there might not be peaceable settle
ment of the Presidential question and declaring
that any attempt to prejudice excite the public
mind in advance of the authority provided for in
the Consti ution was unwise unpatriotic, and full
OF danger to the county,
Tuesday, Jan. 16.-A petition was
presented in the Senate, from ID. III. Chamberlain
r. H. Greaves, f. L. Cardoza, r. B. Elliot, John
r. Talbot and others, of South Carolina in reply
to, and denying the allegations a petition of
Wade Hampton and others previously presented
to the Senate. A resolution submitted and
referred recognizing the Chamberlain Govern
ment in South Carolina as the lawful government
of the State. The message OF the President in re-
gard TO the occupation of Petersburg by the m Ii
tary on election day was taken up, and, after de-
bate, a resolution was adopted instructing the
Judiciary Committee to examine whether the con-
structIon of the laws touching the elective fran
Chise, as promulgated by the Attorney General in
his order of Sept z, be correct. In the House.
bill introduced and referred rpmOyiDo he
political disabilities of womeb. a report was
made from the Judiciary Committee relative TO
the refusal OF Wells, Anderson. Cdssanave and
kenner, members of the Louisiana Returning
Board, to produce before the House Committee in
Louisiana certain papers demanded by such COM
m etee, and the report was accompanied by a reso-
luton that such named gentleman be brought be-
fore the bar of The House for contempt: running
debate ensued on the report and resolution, after
which the previous question seconded and
the resolution went over to the nth
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 17.-Several private
bills were passed in the Senate. Mr.. Morton made
a statement that the appropriation to carry on the
investigations by the Committee on Privileges and
Elections was exhausted, and that Senate bill
making additional appropriations was delayed in
the House, and the subcommittee in Louisiana
could not 90 on with its investigation without
money. The report of the Committee on Rules
revising the rules for the government of the SEN
ate was further considered. amended and agreed
TO Bills were introduced in the House-to
provide for the organization of the Terri
tory of Oklahama; extending the time of
payment for public lands in cases where the crops
have been destroyed by grasshoppers; establish
ing land district in the Black Hills. The reso-
luton reported by the judiciary Committee for
the arrest of the members of the Returning Board
of Louisiana, aud theiE production before the bar
of the House TO answer for contempt, was, after
considerable debate, adopted by party vote-15S
to SO. Some of the Senate amendments to the
Contingent Deficiency bill were coneurred in, and
Others were rejected.
THURSDAY, Jan. 1S.-In the Senate, a
petition was presented from the Democratic Pres
idential Electors of Florida, claiming that they
had been legally elected and asking that the vote
cast by them, Electors, for President and Vice
President, counted. instead of that cast by the
Electors on the other side A Conference Com
Ilittee was appointed on the House amendments
to the Contingent Fund Deficiency bill. a bill
was passed amending the Pension law. as to
remove the disability of those who. having par
ticipated in the rebellion. have enlisted in
the army of the United States, and become dis
abled The special committee the subject Of
counting the Electoral votes made their re-
port which was signed by au the members
of the joint committee With exception (Mr-
Mortonl. The report Of the HOUSE and Senate
Committees on counting the Electoral votes was