The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL.

II.
gave notice in the morning of his intenoed
absence for several days, and asked that
President pro tenn be designated. He will
leave for Pittsburg, Penn, ON visit to
relatives. Mr.. Conkling presented the
petition of James Gordon Bennett, asking
Congress to aid him in seeking new dis
coveries at the North Pole He had pur-
chased the Arctic vessel Pandora, and in
tended to man and run her at his own ex-
pense. The petitioner desired that the
vessel should carry the American flag.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Several petitions were presented on various
topics, and amendments submitted to the
Military Academy Appropriation Bill,
which were referred. Mr.. Voorhees, called
up the resolution submitted by him the
14th, providing for an inquiry in relation
to the issue of certain bonds by several rail-
road companies, as contingent grants of
lands of the Indians of the Indian Territory.
The amendment of Mr.. Dorsey, submitted
the 18th, directing inquiry to be made also
as to the money expended by the several
tribes of the Indian Territory in support of
the delegates to Washington, ETC., was
accepted by Mr.. Voorhees,, and the res
olution as amended was agreed to.
1t was ordered that the investigation be
made by the Committee on Territories.
President, and now goes to the President
The House joint resolution to authorize the
Secretary of War to issue certain arms to
the Washington Light Infantry of Charles
ton, &. c., was taken up and passed. In
the Hollse-A number of bills were intro
duced and referred. Mr.. Banning, Chair
man of the Military Committee, reported
solidating certain of its departments and re-
ducing its cost. Printed and reeommitted.
Mr.. Scales, Chairman of the Committe on
Indian Affairs, reported a bill to
transfer the Indian Bureau from the
Interior Department to the War De-
partment. Referred to Committee of the
Whole. Mr.. Miller offered resolution di-
recting the Freedman's Bank Commissioners
to report why the funds already accumulated
in their hands have not been distributed,
and to give an itemized account for all
moneys distributed to them, and the names
of all debtors of the institution. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Hewitt, of Alabama, the
House went into Committee of the Whole,
Mr.. Southard in the chair, and resumed
consideration of the bill granting pensions
to soldiers and sailors of the Mexican and
Indian wars. After discussion, the Com
mlttee ro1 without action.
In the Senate, February 26, Thomas W.
Ferry was elected President pro tenn. of the
Senate, by vote of 20 to %, Mr.. Thurman
being in opposition. Mr.: Thurman escorted
Mr.. Ferry to the Presidents desk. Mr..
Beck presented resolutions of the Kentucky
Legislature favoring the repeal or reduction
of the tax on tobacco. Referred. Also, a
resolution that the Legislature favor an ap-
preparation for the Improvement of the
navigable waters of Kentucky. Referred.
Mr.. CockreIl submitted a resolution di-
recting the Commissioners of Agri-
culture to furnish the Senate such
information and facts as may be in his
possession in regard to the disease known
as hog cholera, and the diseases of animals
generally, with such suggestions as he may
deem pertinent. Agreed to. Mr.. Beck
called up the resolu ion submitted by him
on the 2lst of January, declaring it mex
pedient to impose taxes at this time for the
purpose of providing fer a sinking fund,
and directing the Secretary of the Treasury
| not to purchase any bonds for the reduction
| of the principal of the National debt until
| further order of Congress. Pending dis.
cussion the morning hour expired, and the
| subject was laid aside. Mr.. Wallace called
up the bill to authorize long bond for the
investment of savings, SO that it shoald be
unfinished business tomorrow, and the
| Senate vert into Executive Session, and
when the doors were reopened adjourned. ......
In the House, a petition seven hundred
yards long, and signed by fifty thousand
| names, for the repeal of the law in relation
| mails, was referred. The Speaker then
| called the committees for report. Mr.. Steele,
| from the Committee on Agriculture, re-
ported back the bill for the appointment OF
Commission to investigate the origin OF
| and the best means of destroying the cotton
| thousand dollars for the expenses OF
| the Commission. Referred to the Com.
| mittee of the Whole. Mr.. Edmunds,
| of the Committee on Invalid Pen.
sions, reported bill providing in case Of
| the death or resignation of Pension Agent
the Pres dent may temporarily appoint bis
| successor. Passed. Mr.. Hewitt, of Alabama
| endeayored to induce the House to proceed
| with the bill to pension soldiers of the Mex
lean War, but the House preferred to give
Mr.. Butler an opportunity to make his
speech on the financial question. The
House went into Committee of the Whole
on the State of the Uhion, Mr.. Eden in the
Chair, and Mr.. Butler proceeded to make
his speech.
| In the Senate, February 27, bill was
introduced and referred to establish the
rank OF Senior Inspector of the army.
bill to continue the improvements on the
Capitol grounds was passed; also, one after
spirited discussion, to authorize the Presi
dent to make temporary appointments fol-
Pension Agency vacancies.........In In the
House, a bill was passed to authorize the
President to annul court-martial proceed
| ings in 1854 in the case of Surgeon Genera
Hammond, and to place him on the retired
list, without pay; also, one to authorize the
publication of a revised edition of the
United States Statutes, and one to grant thu
use of army tents for the soldiers reunion
at Marietta. Ohio. In committee OF the
whole there was warm discussion on tht
bill to provide pensions for veterans of tn,
Mexican war. A vote was not reached.
In the Senate, February %, bill was in
troduced to provide for the construction O
q bridge over the Missouri River at Decatur
Neb. The silver bill was passed over tn,
Presidents veto by a vote of 46 to 10, max
ing it a law. bill was passed to authoriz'
a special term of the United States Circui
Court for the Southern District of Missis
| sippi........In the House bill relative to
| North Sea expedition was referred to tn,
Committee of the Whole. A message from
the President was read, vetoing the Silve
Bill, and the bill was passed over 1t by
vote of 1876 to 73. The House then pro
ceeded to the consideration of the Mexican
War Pension Bill, in which letter was reat
from Jefferson Davis, stating that If hi
name was hindering the passage of the bill
he begged to be excluded from the benefit
| OF the same.
In the House, March 1, among the new
bills reported was one by Mr.. Shelly, to al,
the Great Southern Railroad Company T.
construct line of railway in Georgia an,
Florida. Referred. 1t provides that tn
! company may issue bonds to an amour
not exceeding $50,OOO,OO0, payable in fft
years, in gold, at the rate of five per cent
interest per annum, and authorizes the Sec
retary of the Treasury to indorse the guar
antee of the United States for the paymep
of interest on said bonds. On motion o
Mr.. Waddell, the bill to prevent the specu
lation in postage stamps, by Postmasters
which entailed, he said, q loss of 100000
month to the Government, was made tn
special order for Wednesday, and the Hous
adjourned till Monday.
AVERY good imitation of meerschaum
which may be carved like the genuin
| orfsola oo,, Ia 10 hxv - -, - -