Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
AhnnIe.

senate.
A large number Of bills were introduced,
among them being several in regard to silver
dollars and subsidiary silver coins, and requir-
ing national banking associations to receive
the legal-tender coins on deposit. Mr. Page,
of California, introduced measure to enforce
the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, and
to prevent alleged terrorism and fraud in
South Carolina. Among other things it pro-
vides that the State Of South Carolina shall be
entitled to two representatives in Congress on
the basis Of the whole number of white in
habitants. Mr.. Hewitt intro uced bill to
secure a uniform standard of value. Mr.
Atkins made a personal explanation denying
tho published statements that he was concern
ed in the abstraction of the Hot Springs clause
of the sundry civil bill. Mr.. Sayler asked
leave to offer a resolution inquiring as to the
condition of the treasury, but it was not re-
ceived. Mr.. Durhams motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill prohibiting any further
coinage of trade dollars, and directing their
exchange for and recoinage into standard sill
yer dollars of 1925 grains, was defeated by
yeas, 154 nays, 91-not the necessary two
thirds Majority. . Mr. Fort moved to suspend
the rules and adopt resolution declaring that
the legal-tender quality of silver dollars OF
4l215 grains shall be maintained and enforced,
and that any discrimination against them by
any national bank, in refusing to receive them
and treat them as legal dollars, shall be deem
ed defiance of the laws, and instructing the
banking committee to report bill for the
withdrawal of the circulating notes of banks 80
offending. Defeased-yeas, $50; nays So
not the necessary two-thirds in the affirmative.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Lamar introduced bill to establish
department of public health. 49,. "A bill was
passed authorizing the appointment of DIR. j.
l.. Powell, an e1-Confederate, as assistant sur
geon in the army. Mr., Wallace, Of Pennsyl-
vania, introduced bill for the exchange Of
subsidiary coin for trade dollars and prohib
iting the coinage Of the latter. A resolution
was adopted requesting the House to transmit
copy of James e. Anderson's testimony re-
lating to Hon. Stanley Matthews. Mr.. Ker-
nan introduced bill authorizing the issue of
duplicate registered bonds in place of those
stolen from the Manhattan bank Of New York
49, The Senate then proceeded to consider Mr..
Edmunds' presidential election bill. Mr.. Nor
| gan Of Alabama, advocated the measure and
Mr.. Jones, Of Florida, opposed it. Mr.. Ed
munds replied to the objections of the latter,
after which the Senate went into executive ses-
sion. Adjourned.
| Among the bills presented was one by Mr..
Beck providing for the repeal of that section
of the revised statutes which declares that no
ex-Confederate shall be appointed to the army
of the United States .. Messrs Window and
Whyte were appointed the committee to attend
the next annual examination of cadets at the
| WobG i OluU mllldty dChu6mY MT. Blaine
| proceeded to address the Senate upon his res
olution of inquiry as to whether the constitu-
| tional rights Of citizens had not been violated
in the recent electionsin any of the States. Up
on the conclusion of Mr.. Blaines long speech
Mr.. Thurman took the floor and submitted an
amendment to the resolution. The amend
ment calls for an inquiry whether any citizen
of any State has been dismissed, or threatened
with dismissal, or deprived of any rights OF
privileges by reason of mis- vote at the recent
elections whether in 1878 money was raised
by assessment or otherwise from Federal Office
! holders for election purposes, and to inquire
into the action of United States supervisors Of
election in the several States Mr.. Thurman
then replied to Mr.. Blaine, and was followed
by Mr.. Lamar; Messrs. Edmunds and Blaine
taking part in the debate. After an executive
session the Senate adjourned.
House.
Several petitions were presented in favor O
the bills granting arrears of pensions, and il
regard to emigrants E. Mr.. Window presented
resolutions proposing the remodeling of tn
| patent system. :. Mr.. Garland submitted
resolution for the revision of the Indian Terri
tory laws, and to deliver AZ per cent. bonds II
the Indian nations in lieu of moneys held TO
them by the United States, which was agreed
to :. "A resolution was also agreed to callin
on the President for United States marshals
reports relative to the elections in South Caro-
lima and Louisiana. . The Senate then took III
the bill amending the laws in regard to presi
Dental elections and Mr.. Edmunds proceeds
to explain its provisions and argue in favor o
its adoption. Adjourned after an executiv
session.
The following members were announced b
the speaker as composing the committee to in
quire into the cause of the yellow fever cpl
demic: Messrs. Young, Gibson. Hope,
Goode, Hartridge, Morse, Garfield, HarmeI
and Chittenden . The consular and diplC
matte appropriation bill was amended an
passed. 1t appropriates $1,O3S, 435. An amend
ment to increase the salaries of ministers t
France, Great Britain Germany and Russi
. from $4,000 each to $17,5OO was rejected
The navalappropriation bill was then taken up
and. no amendment being offered, was ais
passed. 1t appropriates $14O18, 400. At
journed.