Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-09
44th Congress. Second Session.

SENATE. Jan. 3rd.-The
bill declaring the true intent and mean
ing of the Union Pacific railroad acts
was debated at length. Mr.. Morton of.
fered resolution declaring that w. NJ
Turner, manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, at Jacksonville,
Oregon, was in contempt of the Senate
in refusing to testify to certain matters
passing over the wires in regard to the
electoral vote of that State; the resolu-
ton was ordered to be printed.
HOUsE.-A bill was introduced
amending the charter of the Freedmen's
Savings and Trust Company. Majority
and minority reports were presented on
the admission of J. B. Bedford as re-
preventative from Colorado, the majority
report recognizing Colorado as State in
the Union, and admitting Beltord as a
repl esentative, and the minority report
recommending the passage of an act for
the admission of Colorado as State. E.
w. Barnes, the recusant witness, was
arraigned before the bar of the House
for having refused the Louisiana investi-
eating committee access to certain tele-
grams, but on motion hearing of his
case was postponed until Friday.
h1I1N Ale. Auloudy, Jdus fLu L.
Conkling presented a petition from lead
ing citizens of New York urging the
dOption of proper means for an amicable
count of the electoral vote, and express
ing the hope that all party considera-
lions would be thrown aside and pure,
unselfish patriotism control the action
of Congress. In presenting the petition
Mr.. COnkling, in brief speech, avOwed
his sympathy with its sentiments. Mr..
Wright called up his bill to establish a
court for the trial of contested elections
for President and Vice President, and
advocated the bill in lengthy speech,
in which he said he did not believe that
Watts, the republican postmaster elector
in Oregon, was appointed or elected
within the meaning of the constitution,
but claimed that his ineligibility did not
elect Cronin, democrat. He also argued
that it was the duty of the President of
the Senate to count and and declare the
electoral vote. This position was COM
batted by Mr. Herman. The bill was
referred to the committee appointed to
devise means for the amicable settle.
ment o. the presidential contest.
HOUsE.-The Military Academy ap-
preparation bill was presented and made
the special order for Monday. 1t ap-
propriates 1886, ISL. The bill fixing the
compensation of United States marshals
and deputies was passed; it limits the
compensation of deputy marshals to ST.
200 per annum. The bill granting pen
sions to certain soldiers and sailors of
the Mexican, Florida and Black Hawk
wars, was passed it allows pensions of
$S month to all who served sixty days
in the Mexican war, or thirty days in
the Florida or Black Hawk wars, and
to their surviving widows unmarried
Objection was made to resolution of
Mr.. Throckmorton instructing the mill
tary committee to inquire into the
strength and location of the army, where
ordered to Washington, the nature of
the orders, by whom made and the pur-
pose Of such movements.
SENATE.-Friday, Jan. 5th.-Mr. Nor
toms resolution declaring that w. M.
Turner, the Jacksonville, Oregon, tele-
graph operator, was bound to answer
certain questions in regard to the trans
mission of Geographic messages, was
debated at length, but failed to pass
yeas 81, nays 3, quorum not voting.
The Senate then adjourned until Mon
day.
House,. W. Barnes, the New Or
leans manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, was arraigned at
the bar of the House, and asked by the
Speaker what excuse he had to offer for
his failure to produce before the House
committee, sitting at New Orleans, the
kilograms called for in the subpoena
served on him. Mr.. Barnes in response
handed to the clerk his answer, prepar-
ed by his counsel. which was read. 1t
is voluminous paper, quoting all the
proceedings thus far in the matter, and
concludes with the declaration that the
managers of the office were in possession
of the office, and not himself as clerk
The paper was referred to the Judiciary
committee with instructions to re-
port as early as possible what action
should be taken in relation thereto.