West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-03-16
XLYTH CONGRESS-.

FEBRUARY 27.-Senato-A bill was intro
duced and referred 10 establish the rank Of
Senior Inspector of the army. A bill to
continue the improvements on the Capitol
grounds was passed also, one, after n
spirited discussion, TO authorize the Presi-
dent 10 make temporary appointments for
Pension Agency vacancies.............HO HOUSE
bill was passed TO authorize the Presi.
dent TO annul courtmRrtial proceedings
in 1854 in the case of Surgeon General Ham
mond, and to place him on the retired
list, without pay also, one to authorize the
publication of a revised edition of the
United States Statutes, and one 10 grant the
use OF army tents for the soldiers reunion
at Marietta, Ohio. In committee of the
whole there'was a warm discussion on the
bill TO provide pensions for veterans Of the
Mexican war; A vote was not reached.
FEBRUARY 2S.-,Sendte---A bill was intro.
duced 10 provide for the construction of a
bridge over the Mississippi River at Decatur,
Neb. The Silver bill was passed over the
Presidents veto by vote OF 40 to -, max
ing III law. a bi was passed TO authorize
special term of the UJited States G. rcuit
Court for the Southern District OF Missis-
sippi........ BOUSe---A bill relative to a North
Sea expedition was referred to the Com.
mittee on the Whole. message from the
President was read, vetoing the Silver bill,
and the bill was passed over it by a vote of
1876 To 73. The House then proceeded to the
consideration Of the Mexican War Pension
Bill, in which Il letter was read from Jeffer
son Davis, stating that il his name was hind
ering the passage of the bill he begged to be
excluded from the benefits of the same.
MARCH l.-HOUSe-Among new bills re-
ported was one by Mr.. Shelly, to aid the
Great Southern Railroad Company to con-
struct n line of railway in Georgia and
Florida. Referred. 1t provides that the
company may issue bonds to an amount Tot
A. ~ ms 4 l.. =. "a.
In gold, at the rate of five per cent. interest
per annum, and authorizes the Secretary of
the Treasury to indorse the guarantee of the
United States for the payment OF interest
on said bonds. On motion of Mr. Waddel,
the bill TO prevent the speculation in pos
tage stamps by Postmasters, which entitled,
he said, loss of 100000 month to the
Government, was made the special order
Tor Wednesday, and the House adjourned
till Monday.
MARCH 4.-Sendte-A bill was introduced
and referred, authorizing the issue ofsilver
bullion certificates, in sums not hess than $50,
receivable at par, the same as gold certif.
Gates, for duties and all public dues. A
joint resolution relative to Chinese i'm
migration was presented and temporarily
laid on the table. The long bond bin was
passed. \ House bill was passed making
appropriations for the payment of claims.
Bits were passed authorizing the construc-
ton of bridge over the Missouri River at
Glasgow, Mo-, and one, by the Arkansas
River Senator Davis, of Illinois, spoke of
an abuse of the mileage privilege by
United States District Attorney........
HouSe-Bills were referred, authorizing
Circuit and District Judges to fine and inn.
| prlsion, at discretion, in cases of conviction
/ OF illicit distilldtion, in lieu of the punish.
ment now required; providing for a CLASH
hcatlon of mail matter, and fixing postage
rates lhereon; for a water route between
/ Lake Michigan and Erie; relative to i'm.
j provement OF navigation of the Miss ssippi
River; and regulating and protecting fish
culture III the lakes. A resolution was
adopted directing information ms To the
sale of bonds for the redemption of out
standing legal-tender notes, as was Senate
Dill amending laws granting pensions Ia
ohcers and soldiers of the war of 1912.
restoring to the rolls the names stricken
thereirom for disloyalty, allowing, however
no back pay.
MARCH 5.-S nGte-The Long Bond Bill
| was again laid over on account of the con.
tinued absence of the member who had il
IN charge. Joint resolution was passed
providing for the issue of arms TO Idaho
The tariff resolution, after discussion. was
referred to the Finance Committee. Senator
Thurman introduced bill to prohibit
| members Of Congress from subscribing
/ to ofhcial bonds pertaining to Government
ounces or contracts........ HOuSC-A resoIu.
ton was referred which recited that the
I union and Central Pacific Railroads are in.
/ debted to the United States S2S, 600 600 and
accrued interest on bonds guaranteed low
the Government. The Committee on Ter,
/ rltorles reported adversely on the bill 10
establish the Territory of Pembina.