The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-03-28
Washington Letter.
wAsH1neroN. d. G. March %. 1878.

presented authorizing payment to cit.
izens Of West Va, for services rem
dered in the late war, due by the U.
S. to the above State, and was referred
to the Military Committee. The Ju-
dietary Committee reported that in the
matter of repeating the Bankrupt law,
they were progressing with dispatch,
and in short time would be able to
hand in their report upon the subject.
The two Bills, one preventing mem,
bers of Congress from going security
on mail contractors bonds, and the
other the Fertilization appropriation
of $275.0OO were both passed. The
Committee on Railroads, through Mr.,
Matthews, reported the Texas Pacific
Bill, being the House Bill in nearly
all particulars, and recommended it's
passage. They at the same time re-
ported, without recommending, the
Southern Pacific, or what is familiarly
known as the Huntington Bill The
resolution, offered in the Honse, of
Maryland Legislature in relation to
taxing tobacco, was also introduced
in this chamber. A bill which grants
an American Register to the foreign
ships intended for the W0 1druff ex-
pedition passed. Mr.. Blaine, again
censured In very harsh terms, the Sec
retary of the Interior for bis policy
towards settlers in the Territorles,d dur
ing the debate on the Bill which makes
an appropriation for the better detect
ing of trespasaers on the public lands.
The Senate having insisted on the Mil.
itary Academy Bill as amended by
them, q conference committee was in
stituted. Quite number of memo.
rials protesting against the reimposing
Of the Income tax were introduced.
The Committee on claims reported \
Bill for the relief of the Richmond Fe-
male Institute, of Va; The Military
COMMITTEE reported the Bill above re-
ferred to, reimbursing the State of
w. Va. for moneys expended during
our internecine war. A resolution was
introduced by Mr.. Howe, calling upon
Mr.. Hayes, if not incompatible with
the public interest, to furnish the Sem
ate, with any infermstion as to Judge
w. II. Whitaker, of the Supreme
Court, of LIS, being q defaulter,
to the Government, as has been al.
legged by Secretary Sherman, in the
public prints. Mr.. COnnOveri offered
similar resolution as to the surrender
Of the insurgent Cubans, and the terms
thereof. An objection was made to
the resolution directing the Finance
Committee to make report, during
the coming week, upon the Bill for
the repeal of the Resumption Act, as
it came from the House, and the reso.
luton was necessarily laid over. Dur
ing the discussion of the Railroad
Sinking Fund Bill, the debate was in.
terrupted by a message from Mr..
Hayes, transmitting from the Secreta-
ry of State. certain papers called for
by the Senate in relation to Mr.. Del.
fosse's appointment as one of the
Fishery Commissioners, under what
is known as the Washington Treaty.
IN THE HOUSE.
The Bill which would have made
available the appropriation of $685.
600, Heretofore passed by both Houses
and now law with which to pay the
ante-bellum mail contractors of the
South, upon motion striking out the
enacting clause, was defeated by rea-
son of the failure of said motion. The
resolution of the Marylan Legisla-
ture asking a reduction of the tobacco
tax was introduced. Mr.. Springer en-
deavored to pass a Bill authorizing the
coinage of both gold and silver upon
an equality, and TO facilitate the de-
posting of both metals in the Treas.
ury for the above objects. by a motion
to suspend the rules. but the oppo-
nents thereof were too much for him,
and pushed oil his motion by call for
yeas and nays. until the time arrived
for yielding the floor to the discussion
Of District of Columbia matters. A
Bill making an appropriation for the
erecting Of monument over the
grave of Thomas Jefferson was intro
dnced and appropriately referred. A
majority report was received from the
Committee appointed 10 investigate
the affairs Of the Doorkeeper, which,
whilst it found nothing wrong in his
affairs, yet recommended declaring the
position vacant, and placing the duties
of Doorkeeper upon the Sergeant-at.
Arms, until the House appoint anoth-
er doorkeeper. The minority report
of said Committee called attention to
the fact that as the report Of the ma.
jority admitted no corruption on the
part of Mr.. Polk, it would be an out.
rage of individual persecution to adopt
the resolution embaced in the report
OF the majority of their colleagues.
The Bill reducing the per diem allow.
ance 10 Grand Jurors Of U. S. Courts.
and also that of the clerks, marshals
and their deputies, passed. Mr..
Springer, at this point, successfully |
introduced the Bill relating to gold |
and silver, which was pushed out by |
\ call of yeas and nays, before alluded
10. The Bill for the regulation OF
mail letting advertisements, which
provides that said notices shall be pub.
lished in one or more papers, publish
I'D in the State where thecontracts are
10 be let, as we'll as the furnishing of
Iii additional information, when re.
Iuired by persons disposed to make
Dld, by the I'd Asst Postmaster Cen
sral, aud the forbidding of the prac- :