Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-03-08
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
srnntc.

senate.
The b II regulating the compensation ofpost-
masters WAS discussed, and an amendment
adopted prohibiting the sale Of postage stamps
as merchandise and at a 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 it was suggested
that the franking privilege should be restored
to members OF Congress. The amending the
act granting pensions TO soldiers Of 1912 was
called up, with an amendment to restore to the
roll persons dropped for taking sides with the
cOnfederacy. The bill as amended was passed 4
by ~ toS. Adjourned.
A bill was reported to transfer the life-sav-
ing and coast-guard service from the treasury
to the navy department. e. The bill to regulate
the pay Of postmasters came up, and the
amendment 10 revive the ranking privilege, 80
far as letters of the President, Vice-President
and members of Congress are concerned, was
discussed and adopted by 33 to Il. 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 declsratory of the meaning of
the fifteenth section of the Pacific railroad act
of July l. 1862, authorizing the President to
appoint a 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, 312, 531. Sixteen officers and 267 enlisted
men were killed, and two officers and 1873 men
were wounded Adjourned.
Vice-President Wheeler announced his inten-
ton to be absent a few days in consequence Of
indispostion, and requested the Senate to APP
D.,,Eo slo,,A yos,,
scented 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
cancies in the grade of second Lieutenant from
civil life from the ranks, and from the acad-
envy, the unattached graduates to be dis
charged. The silver bill and the House
action upon it was presented, and the Vice
President signed the bill. 1t 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 % for Mr. Thurman,
of Ohio The House bill to authorize the
granting of an American register to fore gn-
built ship, for the purposes Of the Woodruff
jected 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, and
gave rise to a long and animated political de-
bate. which consumed the most Of the session.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, made speech in reply to
the assertion, of Mr. Gibson, of Louisiana that
he (Mr. Hale) lost no opportunity to denounce
the people of Louisiana. Mr.. Garfield spoke,
arguing that the Louisiana prosecutions were
the beginning of process that was designed
to assail MIR. Hayes title to the Presidency.
The silver bill was only alluded to. Mr..
Stephens, of Georgia, announced that he would
ON the next day, or as socn as practicable,
move concurrence in the Senate amendments.
Adjourned.
The Acklin-Darrall contested election case
from Louisiana was discussed a. some length,
and the aiority report to seat AcBlin Demo
craft in place of Darrall (Republican) was
adopted. Adjourned.
The silver bill was reached on the speakers
table without any opposition. A protracted
debate on point Of order that the bill should
be considered in committee of the whole en-
sued, after which the point was overruled A
motion to concur in the Senate amendments
was made by Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, and an
hours running debate in the nature of expla-
nation of,votes followed. Mr.. Stephens closed
the debate and moved the previous question.
Mr.. Hewitt of New York, moved to lay the bill
and amendments on the table, which was re-
jected by yeas ~, nays 204. The main Question
was then ordered and the Senate amendments
separately voted on and adopted. "A Texas
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 to
depositors of silver bullion to graduslly retire
national bark notes for the free coinage OF
silver dollars to reduce the pay and number
Of naval officers. . The bill to reduce the cost
of the army was reported and recommitted ;
also the bill to transfer the Indian bureau from
| theinterof to the war department. The bill
granting pensions to soldiers and sailors OF the
| Mexican and Indian wars, was discussed with
out act on. Adjourned.
| A petition 700 yards long, and signed by so :
| 600 Names for the repeal of the law in relation
! to the transmission of matter through the
mails, was presented by Mr.. Butler of Mass
achusetts, and referred. The bill to regulate
Interstate commerce, and prevent discrimina-
| ton by common carriers was reported in the
| House from the committee on commerce
An appropriation of $4,000 to investigate the
army-worm was reported. Mr. Chalmers, of
Mississippi made long political speech, meant
ds u reply 10 ueH Udrhoid npeocn VI u 10" uay D
previous About the middle of the speech,
Mr.. Reagan, of Texas, made point of order
| that the speaker was not making a personal
explanation, and he deprecated Ike ping up au-
imosity by such course. Mr.. Chalmers was
allowed to finish his speech =. Gen. Butler
then read long speech on the financial ques-
ton. He favored silver coinage, advocated the
issue of irredeemable p4per as the money of
the country, declared himself for dollar
that shall at all times have certain fixed and
staple value below which it cannot 90" and
would fund the greenback currency by 3.65
per cent. bond. Adjourned.