Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-12-20
Proceedings Of Congress.

In the Senate on Friday bills were intro
duced to provide for the temporary increase Of
the army in an emergency to amend the law
relative to pensions and also an amendment
to the national railroad bill /; Mr.. Denuis pre-
scented a petition of the Baltimore Academy OF
Sciences and the Baltimore Medical Associa-
ton favoring the appointment of commits
sion of competent persons TO inquire as TO the
cause of epidemic diseases, manner Of treat
ment, &C. The bill to regulate the counting
of the vote for President and Vice-President
and the decision OF questions arising thereon
and its passage advocated by Messrs Bayard
and Merrimon, and opposed by Messrs. Hill
and Garfield. The bill then passed by a vote
of SO TO 26-Bayard, Merrimon and Morgan
voting with the Republicans in favor of The
bill, willis, the negative vote was composed Of
Democrats Mr. Blaine underworld to call up
his resolution, but motion to adjourn until
Monday was carried
10 the House Mr.. Woods resolution for 40
investigation into the conduct of J. Daven-
port, U 5. election supervisor for New York
city, was passed with amendment extend
ing the investigation to Davenport's conduct
on registration as well as on election day. A
bill was passed amending the act making APP
preparations for the service of the government
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872
The Senate was not in session on Saturday
10 The House the Diplomat c appropriation bill
was reported and made the special order for
Wednesday The Military Academy appro-
priation was reported and the amendment
non-concurred in. Senate bin 10 regulate he
presidential elections was taken from the
Speakers desk and referred to the committee
on that subject.
In the Senate on Monday Mr. Whyte pre-
sented petitions of G. Morton Stewart and
others, of Baltimore, favoring the erection of
lightship on the upper lower middle ground
Chesapeake Bay. Mr.. Matthews again failed
to get up the Texas and Pacific bill. Mr.
Blaine's resolution in regard TO The inquiry us
TO whether citizens had been deprived of their
constitutional rights was taken up and Mr.
Thurnau's amendment inquiring into the use
of money to corrupt voters, threats Of discharge
and the conduct of U. S. marshas aad super
visors. The investigation is 10 be conducted
by committee of nine Senators. Two amend
meIts were offered from the Democratic side
10 conduct the investigation with open DOORS
but both were defeated by a strict party vote
In the House, under. the call of States, a
number of bills were introduced, including
one to make United States notes receivable for
imports reducing the charges for post
Office mon v orders to five cents. A resolu.
ton was offered by Mr.. Finley, but objected
TO by Mr.. Hale providing for Il thorough in
vesligation by the judiciary committee into
the origin, conduct, ETC.. of the secret service
division of the Treasury Department" Mr.
Hunton reported bill to amend the act of
June 20, 1878, to fix the rate of interest on
the bonds 10 be issued by the District commits
soners for the taking up 1921 900 outstanding
bonds soon TO fall due passed bill APP
propriating $40 900 for the construction of a
bridge across the Potomac river at the island
Of the Three Sisters, above Georgetown, was
also passed, ai,er considerable debate, after
which the House adjourned.
IN the Senate, Tuesday, after the morning
hour, Mr.. Blaine's resolution providing for an
inquiry as 10 whether any citizen was deprived
of his constitutional rights at the recent cleo
lions was taken up, and speeches were made
by Messrs Merrimon and Wallace Mr.
Blaine'S amendment was then adopted, au-
thoriZing the committee to take testimony
administer oaths, and TO visit any portion of
the country it may deem proper, etc The
question being on the passage o. the resolu-
ton as amended. Mr. White, of MARYLAND.
spoke earnestly against it. The resolution of
Mr.. Blaine was then passed-yeas SIS, nays 6,
and the Senate adjourned.
The House spent nearly the entire SEES sion
on the bill appropriating $3.50, 900 TO meet
the mail service appropriation deficiency
large number of speeches irrelevant to the
subject were delivered, after which the till
passed
In the Senate, wednesday a bill was passed
authorizing the donation of twenty bronzed
cannon 10 aid in the erection at West Point of
a monument TO the late Gen. George A. Gus
ter. A joint resolution was passed in both
houses apNropriating $50, 900 for the expenses
of the yellow fever investigation committee
bill was passed amending the posse cOmita-
tus clause OF the army bill so that il shall not
apply 10 any part of the army engaged in pro-
tecling States and Territories subject 10 Indian
incursions. The pension bill was slightly
amended and passed.
The House agreed 10 Senate resolution to
take recess from December 20 10 January I.
A bill was introduced providing for the eslab-
lishment of aboard Of assistants to the Sec
rotary OF The Navy"