The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-01-16
F0RTY-FouRTH CONGRESS-
WAsH,NeTos, January is.
6ENATE.

Mr.. Conkling presented resolution
asking that measures be adopted for con-
vening an International monetary con-
gres to fix the relative value of gold and
silver. Referred.
Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylvanis, pre-
sented Q resolution OF the Pittsburgh
Chamber OF Commerce, asking for appro-
priations for the construction of the
trsns-Aleghony line of water transporta-
ton from the Atlantic to the West, via
the Youghiogheny route. Referred TO the
Committee on transportation and Routes
The Committee reported an amendment
to the third rule, 30 rs to compel the at
tendance of absent Senators whenever IT
shall be ascertained that q quorum is not
present.
Mr.. Cockerell was in favor Of COM
pelling the attendance Of absent Senators,
and said that il the Senate could not do
this, he favored constitutional amend.
ment to allow States TO appoint substitute
Senators to serve during the absence OF
the regular Senators, and draw the pay.
Mr.. Ferry, chairman Of the Commit.
tee on Rules, explained at some length
the action OF the committee, and argued
that majority of the whole number OF
Senators sworn constituted quorum,
and not majority Of the whole number
OF Senators allowed by the constitution.
For instance, 88 Senator constituted q
quorum now, but If the vacancy
from Louisiana should be filed it would
require 39. The amendment was passed
over fol the present with the under
standing that 1t should be again con-
sidered.
Pending discussion Mr.. Jones, from
the special committee appointed last
session to inquire into the changes
which have taken place in the relative
value OF gold and silver, the causes
thereof, &C., said the questions were
broad in their scope and should
any legislation be had upon the
report OF the committee it should not be
until after the committee had fully
investigated the subject. The committee
had thought proper not to make hasty
report. They had examined large
number of witnesses in this country, and
through the Department OF State had
propounded interrogstories to distin.
guished business men and fnsnciers
abroad. Replies 10 these interrogstories
were now being received, and they were
very volumnious. Many of them were in
foreign languages. The committee had
not had time to arrange and examine
them. He therefore submitted concur.
rent resolution extending the time for
the committee to submit its report from
January 10Th TO February 10Th. Agreed
10.
Mr.. Window asked leave TO make 9
personal explanation, and had read at
the clerks desk an article published IN
the Washington Union fthis date to the
effect that last summer. charges were
made against William McMicken,
Surveyor General of Washington terri
tory, of alleged malleasance in office,
and that he was retained in office
through the influence Of Senator Win
dom; also that he had paid money to
Senator Window for his appointment
and rentention in Office, but no action
had been taken upon them, and there
was disposition to keep them quiet un-
til alter Mr.. Windows reelection ss
Senator.
Mr.. Window said tha, he regretted to
have to make personal expiananstion,
but the circumstances Of the case, and
the respectability of the paper in
which the article appeared, justified
him in dong SO. This morning he csiied
on the editor of the paper, Hon. Mo"t-
gomery Blair, in refe: ence to ITS pub'ica-
tion.
Mr.. Window sent TO the clerks desk
and had read 3 note from Mr.. Blair to
the effect that the charge made In the
Union against Senator Window, on the
authority Of II. J. Chapman, would not
have been published had his blairsl
attention been called to 1t, as ne did not
believe it 10 be true.