The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-21
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, February IL, Mr.. Matthews
presented a petition of the National and
State banks, and the private bankers CON-
posing the Cincinnati Clearing House
ssociation, urging the repeal of that por-
ton of the national bank act which imposes
tax of one-half of one per cent. upon de-
posits Referred. large number of pc.
titions, from all parts of the country, in
favor Of a sixteenth amendment to the
Constitution, prohibiting the States from
disiranchising persons on account of sex,
were presented and referred. Petitions
were presented from various counties of
New York in favor of the reconciliation
OF silver and the repeal of the resumption
act, which were referred. A number of
Eaton in furtherance of civil service
reform. At the conclusion of the morning
business, the Senate resumed consideration
ii the Silver Bill, and Mr.. Davis, OF West
Virginia, spoke in favor thereof. ......... In
the House, amsng the bills introduced and
referred was one by Mr.. Mackey, prohibit
ing the Secretary. of the Treasury frrm pur-
chasing any bonds for the reduction of the
principal of the national debt until strict
compliance with the provisions of the law
shall require it; also, one by Mr.. Joyce,
declaring forfeited all grants of public lands
to railroad and other corporations when the
conditions have been violated, and appro-
priating said lands to the use of actual set
tiers. Mr.. Leonard presented a concurrent
pressing satisfaction with the policy of
President Hayes. The House went into
Committee of the Whole on the Military
Academy Appropriation Bill, adjourning
without final action.
In the Senate, February II, petitions were
presented by Mr.. Christiancy from citizens
of Michigan, favoring the sixteenth amend
ment, confirming citizenship on women.
Mr.. Christiancy thought the State Legisla-
ture, and not Congress, was the proper place
to present these petitions. Mr.. Thurman
presented resolution of the General As
sembly of Ohio, expressing opinion that all
bonds of the government are payable, prin-
cipal and interest, in silver coin favoring
the passage of the Bland silver bill, and de-
claring that President Hayes and Secretary
Sherman, in opposing the reconciliation of
silver, did not represent the views of the
people of Ohio. The resolution was read
and laid on the table, the silver bill now be-
ing before the Senate. Mr.. Spencer, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported
back the petition of the Governors of Penn
sylvania, Vermont, and Kentucky, asking
payment of balances due to the several
States on account of arming and euuipping
troops for the Federal Government during
the late war, and moved they be referred
to the Committee on Claims. So referred.
The bill passed making the 22d of February
a legal holiday in the District of Columbia,
with an amendment providing that it should
not apply to the 22d of February, 1878, in
order not to effect existing contracts. AT
the expiration of the morning hour, consid-
Grafton was resumed of the silver
bill. And Mr.. Mcdonald spoke in favor
thereof. f......... In the House, the ceremony
of presenting to Congress Carpenters
painting of President Lincoln reading the
Emancipation Proclamation drew large
crowd into the galleries, and the Senate was
in attendance. Mr.. Garfield made the presen-
tatlon speech; response by Mr.. Stevens.
The Vice President announced the object
for which the two houses had convened
having been accomplished, the Senate would
retire to its own chamber The Senate
thereupon retired, and the ceremony closed.
In the Senate, February 13, Mr.. Herman
presented the memorial of the New York
Board of Trade and Transportation, signed
by the officers thereof and a large number
OF business men members of that organiza-
ton, demonstrating against the passage of
the silver bill, and setting forth the incon
venience of silver in commercial transac-
tions. Laid on the table. Mr.. Edmunds,
from the Judiciary Committee, reported
bacx petition of citizens of Wyoming
Territory, in relation to the condition Of
judicial affairs i'll that Territory, together
with bill annulling the act of the Legisla-
tive Assembly of the Territory to provide
for the organization of Crook and Pease
Counties, and to provide for holding
court IN them. Placed on the calendar
Mr.. Sargent reported with an amendment
the Senate bill to authorize and equip an
expedition to the Arctic seas (known as
the Howgate bill.) Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. ingalls, introduced bill to promote the
deposit of savings in popular loan, and
provide for funding the national debt into
home bonds convertible into currency.
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, called up the House
joint resolution declaring that the reduc-
ton of tax on distilled spirits is inexpe-
dlent, which was dicussed until the expira-
ton of the morning hour and then laid
aside, and the Senate resumed the consider
alton of the silver bill. Mr.. Mer-
rimon spoke in favor thereof. Bills
passed providing for the sale of New
York lands in Kansas, and for holding the
United States District Court for the South
ern Distict of Iowa at Burlington......In In the
House, Mr.. Rice, of Ohio, Chairman, re-
| ported bill granting pensions on account
| of wounds, ETC., contracted in the service
| of the United States seine March 4, 1861 for
the payment of arrears of pensions and for
| the restoration to the rolls of names of in
valid pensioners stricken therefrom on ac.
count of disloyalty. Referred to the Com.
| mittee of lhe Whole, and made the special
order for this day two weeks. The House
went into Committee of the Whole ON the
Military Academy Appropriation Bill and
| during the discussion of that bill, there was
a remarkable exhibition of warm blood
among the members. The old sore of the
electoral count was reopened, the question
of the Presidential title, the Returning
Board, allegations of bargain and sale, wal
issues, and all the issues that were supposed
to have been dead and buried.
In the Senate, February IA, Mr.. Cameron
of Pa, presented resolutions, of the Pitts
burg Chamber of Commerce remonstratin,
against the passage of the law imposing
tax on incomes. Referred. A resolution wa
offered by Mr.. Voorhees, calling for a-com
mittee of investigation to ascertain whethe
the Kansas and Neosho Valley and Southern
Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad issue'
ditional land grants of the lands of the In
dians of the Indian Territory, claimed b.
said companies under said act. If it be al
certained that such bonds have been issued
then it shall be the duty of said committe
to ascertain in whose possession the bond
! are and for what purpose. Laid ovel
Mr.. Morrill, called up the House joint rest
! luton declaring that the reduction of ia
on distilled spirits is inexpedient. Afte
: the debates the resolution was read thir
/ time and passed-yeas, 40; nays, 8. NJ
, Ferry called up the Senate bill to re,
ulate the compensation of postmaster
Pending the discussion of the bill th
morning hour expired, and the Senate too
up the silver bill. Mr.. Jones spoke at gre,
T length, most of his speech being devoted I
l an argument showing that silver had NJ
deprecated in value since its demonetiz
ton, and against the assertions that tt
! do lar proposed by the bill is dishonorir
: the medium of payment, and depreciate
L coin. The Senate went into executive sc
4 sion, and when the doors were opene
s Mr.. Blaine submitted the substitute f,
r the silver bill, of which he gave mott,
several days ago, when he addressed Il
, Senate, and the provisions of which
> then explained .:.......In the House, NJ
: Gibson, of Louisiana, arose to question
privilege, and defended the citizens
y Louisiana against the charge of bargain al
sale in regard to the Presidency, al
claimed that the proceedings against t
n Returning Board were legal and prop,
f The Secretary of the Treasury, through t
= Speaker, presented letter from the Co
= missioner of Internal Revenue recommer