Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-03-06
Congressional.

currence in the amendments to the
bill to authorize the coinage of
the standard silver dollar, and to re-
store its legal tender character. An en-
crossed copy Of the BILL signed by
Speaker Randall was delivered to the
senate for the signature of the vice
president. The bill now goes to the
president. Mr.. Booth, of the commit
tee on public lands, reported with
amendment, senate bill to declare
certain lands granted in aid of the
construction of the Pacific railroad
by act of July /, 1862, and July 2,
1864, subject to taxation. The re-
mainder of the session was devoted to a
discussion Of the Military Academy
bill
MONDAY, Feb. 25.-House.- the
house bills were introduced proposing
an amendment to the constitution rela-
ting to the election of president and
vice president; to enable the post
master general to further protect the
revenues of his department; also to or
ganize life station and coast guard
service; to gradually retire circulat-
ing notes of national banking associa-
tons, and replace the same with U. S.
treasury bonds: for the free coinage of
silver dollars; also to utilize the
product of gold and silver mines, and
to provide for issuing of certificates for
gold and silver bullion deposited in
minis: authorizing the South
ern Pacific railroad to extend its line
westward to Ell Paso; for appoint
ment of two additional railway commits
sioners from each territory to the Paris
exposition; to reduce the number of Of
fcers in line and staff; the committee
on education and labor submitted a re-
port in regard to the question of Chi
nese emigration. Printed and recon-
mitted
Mr.. Scales, chairman Of committee
on Indian affairs: reported a bill to
transfer the Indian bureau from the in
terror to the war department.. Referred
to committee of the whole. The house
went into committee of the whole up
on the general file and after considering
several bills adjourned.
TUESDAY, Feb. 26.-Senute-The
Senate at the opening of the morning
session chose Sen. Ferry president pro
tenn. of the Senate. The democrats
voted for Thurman; the vote was a
strictly party vote, Davis, Of ILL.,, voting
with the democrats. The rest Of the
day was devoted to the discussion of
unimportant matters.
TUESDAY, Feb. 26.-House.- The
reading of the journal was not complet-
ed until shortly before one o'clock.
Mr.. Reagan, chairman of the COM
mittee Oh commerce, reported back the
bill to regulate interstate commerce,
and to prohibit unjust determinations
by common carriers. Printed and re-
committed. A petition 700 yards long,
and signed by fifty thousand names,
for the repeal of the law in relation to
the transmission of matter through
the mails. was referred. The speaker
then called for reports from all COM
mittees having bills in their hands;
after which the house adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27.-Seaate.-
the senate Mr. Allison introduced bill
to provide for the entry of lands by
Indians under the homestead law
Mr.. Maxey introduced bill to estab-
lish the rank of senior Inspector general
of the United States army. Mr..
Dawes, from the committee on
public buildings and grounds, reported
bill for continuing the work of inn
proving the capitol grounds, and asked
for it present consideration. It led to
some discussion, during which Conk-
ling spoke Of repeated changes made in
improving the capitol grounds, and said
if the late board of public works in
Washington, that stalking horse for
vituperation which he had denounced
often, had done what it had done in the
vicinity of this building, his impression
was the country would not be big
enough to hold the noise. After some
further discussion the billpassed. The
long savings bond bill was then consider
ed TWAS finely laid aside without action.
Consideration was then resumed of
the bill relative to the payment of pen
sions in New York city. The newly APP
pointed pension agent in that city, hav-
ing failed to give the required bond; the
bill in question provides for making the
regular March payments through the
appointment of a regular army officer,
to oe detailed for the purpose Of filling
the duties Of said office. After lengthy
debate III which Senator Conkling at
tackled the president for allowing the
appointed agent to take SO much time
in filing bond, the bill passed and the
senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27.-House.-The
senate bill amending the act, pro-
viding for the publication of the new
edition of the revised statutes was taken
from the speakers table and passed.
Mr.. Crittenden offered a resolution
that the judiciary committee inquire
whether the Union Pacific railroad
company has invested its funds in stock
bonds or other evidence of debt of any
other corporation, and if so, in what
corporation, and whether the said
Union Pacific has violated its charter
by SO doing Banning, chairman of the
committee on military affairs reported a
bill authorizing the secretary of war to
sell the following ordnance establish
ments: Waterville arsenal, New York
Washington arsenal, District of Column
b1a. A Ilpohpnv arsenal PENNSYLVANIA /.