The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-03-06
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY,
Senate.

The bill regulating the compensation OF post
masters was discussed and an amendment
adopted prohibiting the sale Of postage stamps
as merchandise and at discount An amend
ment was offered by Mr.. Hamlin, proposing TO
extend to all officers of the government the
free transmission OF official mail matter. and
in brief debate that ensued il was suggested
that the ranking privilege should be restored
TO members Of Congress. The amencing the
act granting pensions to soldiers Of 1872 was
called up, with an amendment to restore to the
roll persons dropped for taking sides with the
confederacy. The bill as amended was pass d
by AZ to s. Adjourned.
A bill was reported to transfer the life-ssv-
ing and coast-guard service from the treasury
to the navy department. The bill to regulate
the pay Of postmasters came up, and The
amendment to revive the tracking priv ege. so
far as letters OF the PI esident, Weep esident
and members Of Congress ne concerned, was
discussed and adopted by SO to q. The bill
was then passed and after an executive session
the Senate adjourned.
Petitions against the reduction of tariff
duties and against the restoration Of the tax
on tea and coffee were presented. Mr..
| Chaffee Of Colorado, submitted an amend
ment to the bill declaratory Of the meaning Of
the ffteenth section of the Pacific railroad act
of July /, 1862, authorizing the President to
appoint commissioner who shall establish
rules and regulations to govern the operation
and use of the Union Pacific railroad and
branches. An armyreport was received, show
ing that the cost of the late Sioux Indian war
is 81 3l2 531 Sixteen otfic RS and 267 enlisted
men were killed, and two officers and 1913 men
we're wounded. Adjourned.
Vice-President Wheeler announced his inten-
ton to be absent few days in consequence of
indisposition, and requested the Senate to APP
point President pro tenn. &. O.. Mr.. Conkling pre-
sented the memorial of James Gordon Bennett
in regard to his proposed expedition for Arctic
| exploration. Mr.. Bennett states that he has
purchased the Arctic vessel Pandora, and will
fit her out and man her at his own cost and
he requests that bill may be passed through
Congress authorizing the transfer Of the yes
sci to the United States flag and that she be
differed by United States naval officers. . An
amendment to the military academy appropri-
alton bill was submitted proposing to fill va
cances in the grade of second lieutenants from
civil life, from the ranks, and from the acad-
envy, the unattached graduates to be discharg'
ed. The silver bill and the House action
upon 1t was presented, and the Vice-President
signed the bill. II then went TO the President
for his signature. Adjourned.
Vice-President Wheeler being absent, Mr..
Ferry, of Michigan, was chosen president pro
| tenn, receiving 80 votes to 28 for Mr.. Thurman,
of Ohio . The House bill to authorize the
granting Of an American register to foreign
built ship, for the purposes Of the Woodruff
{ Scientific Expedition around the world, wai
objected to by Mr.. Spencer, and laid over. After
an executive session the Senate adjourned.
House.
In the House, the election case from the
fourth district Of Louisiana was called up, anC
gave rise to long and animate political de
bate which consumed the most Of the session
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, made speech in reply t
the assertion of Mr.. Gibson, Of Louisiana, tina
he (Mr. Hale) lost no opportunity to denounc,
the people of Louisiana. Mr.. Garfield spoke
arguing that the Louisiana prosecutions wer'
the beginning OF a process that was designed
to assail Mr.. Hayes title to the Presidency
The silver bill was only alluded to. Mr.
Stephens, OF Georgia, announced thathe woult
on the next day, or as soon as practicable
move concurrence in the Senate amendments
Adjourned
The Aoklin- Darrall contested election cas-
from Louisiana was discussed at some length
and the majority report to seat Acklin demo
craft in place of Darrall CRepubEcan) wa
adopted. Adjourned.
The silver bill was reached on the speaker
table without any oppos ton. protractet
debate on a point of order that the bill SHOULD
BIO considered in committee Of the whole en-
sued, after which the point was overruled.
motion to concur in the Senate amendment
was made by Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, and al
hours running debate in the nature Of expla
nation of votes followed. Mr.. Stephens closet
the debate and moved the previous question
Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, novel to lay the bill
and amendments on the table, which was re
iected by yeas 70, nays 204. The main question
was then ordered, aud the Senate amendment
separately voted on and adopted. "A Texa
Pacific railroad bill was reported from the com
mittee and the House adjourned.
Bills were introduced, authorizing free coin
age of silver and the issuing Of certificates +
depoeitors of silver bullion to gradually retir
national bank notes /; for the free coinage Q
, silver dollars I; to reduce the pay and numbe
of naval officers. =. The bill to reduce the cos
} Of the army was repor ed and recommitted
) also the bill to transfer the Indian bureau fror
the interior to the war department The bi
3 granting pensions to soldiers and sailors Of tn
> Mexican al d Indian wars was discussed with
r out action. Adjourned.
A petition 700 yards long, and signed by So
! 600 names, for the repeal of the law in relatio
Y to the transmission of matter through til
mails, was presented by Mr.. Butler, Of Mas
achusetts, and referred. The bill to reguat
: inter State commerce, and prevent discrimin
a ton by common carriers was reported in ii
9 House from the committee on commerce
! An appropriation of $4,000 to investigate II
s srmy-worln was reported. Mr.. Chalmers,
: Mississippi, made long p litical speech, meal
, as reply to Gen. Garfield s speech of few da,
: previous About the middle of the speed
Il Mr. Reagan, Of Texas, made the point of ord
y that the speaker was not making a person
!, explanation, and he deprecated keeping up a,
o imosty by such course. Mr.. Chalmers w
y allowed to finish his speech. :. Gen. Butt
f then read long speech on the financial que
G ton. Hefavored silver coinage, advocated Il
4 issue Of irredeemable paper as the money
> the country, declared himself for " doll
& that shall at all times have a certain fixed al
a staple value below which it cannot CO." al
would fund the ,greenback currency by g..
r. per cent bond. Adjourned.
Fran n Salnou IN puInit