The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-06-15
Congressional Proceedings.

said papers TO said committee, the Senate
reserving all questions touching the regu-
larity Of the action of the committee in
calling for the papers. An amendment
was adopted to the 2Sth section of the
army appropriation bill, (which proposed
to transfer the Indian bureau to the War
Department, providing for the appoint
ment OF joint commission of three Sena-
tors and four Representatives to inquire
into the expediency of such transfer.
In the House the general deficiency bill
was taken up, and when that portion of
the bill making appropriations for the pay
ment OF claims against the bureau of en-
cheering of the Navy Department was
reached Mr. Willis, democrat, of n. Y.
led the movement in favor of wholesale
increase, raising the amount from S476,-
54S to 81 ,423, S76, and his amendment
was adopted. Among the benefciaries by
this increase is John Roach, who put in a
claim for 1929, 900. Another amendment
offered by Mr.. Willis and adopted raised
the amount for the payment of further
claims against that bureau from sos, 1854
TO 1881 ,l34, of which Mr.. Roach is to get
s205, BIB.
SATURDAY.-In the Senate Mr.. Spen-
Ger introduced resolution for the appoint
ment of a committee to investigate alleged
election frauds in Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and
Oregon; also to inquire into the dissolution
of the Packard government in Louisiana.
Upon objection the resolution went over
until Monday. The army bill was passed.
The posse comitdtus clause of the House
bill was amended, and, as it now stands,
provides that the army shall not be used
in that capacity except in accordance with
the constitution or an act of Congress; an
amendment was also passed providing for
a commission to consider the expediency
of transferring the Indian bureau to the
War Department A bill wus passed ap-
propriating s5,500,0O0 for the payment of
the fishery award The President pro
tempore announced Messrs Edmunds, Al
lison, ingalls,, Hoar, Davis of Illinois,
Whyte, and Jones, of Florida, as the spe-
cial committee under the resolution of Mr..
Matthews, of Ohio, to inquire into his al
legged connection with the Louisiana cleo
toral frauds.
In the House resolution was passed
authorizing the Secretary of State to sub
NIT the subject of goloid coinage, with ex-
hibits explanatory thereof, to the interna-
tional monetary Congress, proposed by act
Of February 2S, 1878. The general de-
ficiency bill was passed
MoNDAY.-In the Senate Mr.. Spen-
GERS resolution to investigate alleged cleo
ton frauds in Louisiana, Florida, South
Carolina and other States was referred to
the committee on privileges and elections,
together with an amendment to commit
the proposed investigation to the commit
tee appointed under the Matthews resolu-
ton. At their request, Messrs. Davis, of
ILL.,, Whyte, of Md, and Jonss, of Fla,
were excused from service on the Matthews
investigating committee, but afterwards
the vote excusing them was reconsidered.
The remainder Of the session was spent in
considering the river and harbor bill
In the House a number of bills were
presented, among them one by Mr.. Butler
for the relief Of the industrial classes, the
prompt settlement Of the public lands, and
for the better protection of the frontier
from Indian depredations Senate amend
ments to the army appropriation bill were
on-concurred in, and the conference re-
port on the military appropriation bill was
agreed to. The civil sundry appropriation
bill was further considered and several
amendments adopted. An evening ses-
SION was held, at which reports from the
Judiciary committee were considered.
TUEsDAY-In the Senate bills were
passed for the relief of G. H. Walker and
VIM. McIndoe, postmasters at Frostburg
and Homecoming, Md. The river and har-
Dor appropriation bill was passed, after
number of amendments increasing various
appropriations had been adopted Among
the amendments adopted was one appro-
priating 900 for removing distractions
in the Pocomoke river, Md Another
provides for commission to examine re-
ports, plans and estimates for the improve
ment of the Mississippi.
The House spent the entire session on
the sundry civil service bill, and a num-
Der Of amendments were adopted increas-
ing the appropriations for various public
buildings, despite the protest of Mr.. At
kins, who had the bill in charge. An
evening session was held, which was de-
voted to the consideration of reports from
the naval committee.
WEDNEsDAY.-In the Senate, the post
Office appropriation bill, as reported by the
conference committee, was passed. The
deficiency appropriation bill, which appro-
PIRATES Sc, 663, 215, was passed as it came
from the House. House joint resolution
to provide for the enforcement of the
eight-hour law was postponed until De-
cember next. The select committee under
the Matthews resolution was authorized
to sit during the sessions of the Senate
House bill providing for the sale of the
property ut HarpeF's Ferry, West Virgin
Ia, was passed.
The House again spent the entire ses-
sion on the civil sundry appropriation bill i,
and made considerable progress The APP
preparation for the signal service was in
creased from 1926, 900 to $780, 900 The
paragraph providing for the sale of the ar
senals at Pittsburg, Pa, and Pikesyille,
Md, was stricken out An evening ses.
sion was held, at which the civil sundry
bill was further considered
THURsDAy.-In the Senate a bill was
passed, the object Of which was to fix the
annual salary of the surveyor of customs
of Baltimore, Md, at $4,000, instead of
receiving it through fees. A bill was
passed providing that United States notes
shall be received the same as coin in pay
ment of the four per cent bonds, and after
October l, 1873, shall BE receivable for
import duties.
In the House, the conference report on
the postofice appropriation bill was agreed
to. The remainder of the session was
spent on the sundry civil bill. An even
ing session was held, at which a joint res
olution to extend the session of Congress
to Thursday. June 20, was rejected
Al, nays l12. The civil service bill was
passed in committee of the whole, but
when reported to the House many of the
amendments increasing The appropriations
for public buildings were stricken out.
The House remained in session until mid
night, finally passing the civil sundry bill