The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-09
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
Senate.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
senate.
BILLS Observation-Disclosures the Post
master General to pay rent on premises for
third. class Post Offices.
An amendment to the Post Office Appro
priatiOn bill apprOprating half q million
dollars for steamship mail service between
San Francisco and China and Japan for one
year, and authorizing contract with the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company for trans
porting monthly mail between the ports des-
ignated. Also an amendment appropriating
81 900 from the Post Office revenues to
service from great trunk lines during the
fiscal year ensuing June, 1878.
For the protection OF widows, orphans and
heirs at-law of officers of the army Of the
United States.
Senate bill to enable Indians to become
citizens
The Post Office Appropriation bill with
amendment.
Appropriating $1,000 expenses for Electoral
Commission.
To authorize and equip an expedition to
the Arctic, according to Captain Howgate's
plan.
BILLS PAssED.-Appropriatin $4,000 for
the current year.
To provide for the disposition of Fort Dali
las, military reservation in Oregon.
Senate bill for relief of settlers upon public
lands under the presumption laws.
Senate bill to amend the Act of June Sth
1872, granting the right of way through
public lands to the Denver and Rio Grande
Railway Company. 1t repeats the proviso
in the original Actrequiring the Company to
complete the road to a point on the Rio
Grande as far south as Santa Fe within five
years, and to complete fifty miles additional
south of said point in each year thereafter;
and in lieu therefor allow the company ten
years from the passage of the original Act
to complete the road 10 Santa Fe. The bill
wants no subsidy, but merely grants the right
of way.
Senate joint resolution to amend the joint
resolution of July 3, 1876, authorizing the
Secretary of War to issue arms to certain
States and Territories, so as to issue ammuni-
ton not to exceed fifty ball cartridges for
each arm.
Authorizing the Commissioners of the
Freedmen's Trust Company to buy and sell
certain property.
Authorizing the Secretary of the Interior
to adjust claims of the Kaskaskea, Peoria,
Prankeshaw and Wea indians.
The Indian Appropriation bill was taken
up and amended as follows: Increasing the
appropriations for feeding the Crow Indians
from $4,000 to 100000; appropriating $47,-
600 for paying additional employees in the
propriating $4,000 for removing and settling
the YanktOn Sioux to the Missouri River, and
increasing the appropriation for their sus-
tenance; and that of the Ponca Sioux from
million to million and quarter; fifteen
thousand for the removal of the Poncas
from Nebraska to the Indian Territory. The
House of Representatives inserted clause
directing the President to prohibit the re-
mOval of any portion of the Sioux to the In
dian Territory, unless Congress hereafter au-
thorizes. The Senate Committee struck out
the clause by an amendment,w which was agreed
TO. The other amendments Of the Committee
were agreed to, including one striking out
the fourth section, which autho the Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs to use money APP
propriated for one tribe for another when In
his Judgment it can be more advantageously
used. The bill then passed.
To promote telcgraphc communication be-
tween America and Europe. The American
end is to be constructed at Baltimore.
RESOLUTIONS OFFERED-The joint resolu-
tions of the Minnesota Legislature giving a
bounty for the destruction Of grasshoppers.
InsTucting the Appropriation Committee
to report bill for the support OF the Gov
eminent Printing Office.
Requesting the Secretary OF the Navy to
transmit To the Senate a narrative of Halls
Second Arctic Expedition, compiled from
notes made by Captain Hall and purchased
from his widow.
Providing that during the session of the
Electoral Commission each calendar day
shall be observed by each House for legisla-
tive purposes.
MISCELLANEOUS. Hereford, elected Sena-
tor from West Virginia, took the oath of
office.
The Chair presented the credentials OF
Mcpherson, Senator elect from New Jersey.
Chaffee presented the credentials of Teller,
u. &. Senator from Colorado.
The credentials Of Senators Davis and
Saunders from West Virginia and Nebraska
were presented and filed.
BILLS Making the Presidents