Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-03-21
Congressional Summary.

TUESDAY, March 12-Sendte. In the
senate the resolution instructing the
committee on judiciary to enquire into
the expediency of providing that all
claims against the United States not ex-
ceeding one thousand dollars in amount
be prosecuted in the circuit court for
the districts in which the claims origin
ated, was agreed to. The bill in aid of
the Arctic expedition designated by
James Gordon Bennett passed unani-
mously without debate. The president
submitted a. communication from the
secretary Of the interior III answer to
timber troubles in Montana. On mo-
ton of Mr.. Thurman the bill reported
by the committee on judiciary in re-
gard to the Pacific railway sinking fund
was taken up and he spoke at length
thereon. Pending the discussion the
bill was laid aside, and on motion of
Window, the senate took up the West
Point appropriation bill, but before pro-
ceedlng WITH It's consideration The mo-
ton of Matthews to go into executive
session was agreed to, and Window
gave notice that the consideration of the
West Point bill would be resumed at
lliS GA pIA SIIICil vi Vic IilNhulDS IlOuI w.
morrow. The senate went into execu-
tive session and when doors reopened
senate adj ourned.
TUESDAY, March, 12-House. After
explanation by Mr.. Southland disciaim-
ing the authorship Of the Joint resolu-
ton in regard to a plural executive
head, the house went into committee of
the whole on the di plomatic and the
consular appropriation bill, and after
several speeches, adjourned without
action
WEDNESDAY, March 13.-Senate-
the senate bills were introduced to
make appropriations for Notifications;
to establish a mint at New Orleans; to
prescribe the manner of counting the
electoral vote, and to aid the New
Orleans and Pacific railway. The West
Point bill passed.
WEDNESDAY, March 13-H0uSe.-In
the house few bills were introduced
and the rest of the session was given to
discussing the consular service bill.
THURSDAY, March -!Senate-In
the senate Mr.. Voorhees, introduced a
bill providing for the payment Of all
customs, duties and all other debts due
the United States, in legal tender notes
at par, except where it is otherwise ex-
pressly stipulated on the face OF the
contract. Mr.. Teller introduced Il bill
to regulate passenger fare and freight
traffic on the Denver Pacific railway
and the Kansas Pacific railway Re
ferred. Consideration was then resum-
ed of unfinished business, being the
bill in regard to the Pacific railway
sinking fund, and Mr.. Matthews spoke
in favor of the bin reported by the
committee on railroads, and gave no.
tice he would hereafter submit it as q
substitute for that reported by the judi
ciary committee. Pending the discus
sion, Mr.. Gordon, by request, intro
duced a bill to authorize the construc-
ton of a narrow guage railroad from
Bismarck to Black Hills. Referred.
Mr.. Christiancy took the floor and
gave notice that he would speak
on Monday on the sinking fund bill,
and the senate adjourned until that
day.
THURSDAY, March 14.-House.-
the house Mr.. Hardenburg introduced
Il bill regulating the reserve fund of
national banks. The bill authorizes
such banks to dispose Of their reserve
fund and invest the same in United
States bonds, which bonds shall con-
stitue Il reserve funI of such associa-
tions. Mr.. Burnham, from the COM
mittee on expenditures in the depart
ment of justice, reported bill making
So, 800 compensation for clerks of dis
trict and circuit courts. when one per-
son holds both offices. Passed. Dur
ing the morning hour was discussed
Till reported from the committee on
expenditures in the department. of jus
tice, limiting the number of special at
/ torneys appointed to assist the district
attorney, to one, and limiting the fee to
! $4,000. The bill firally passed, and
the house went into committee of the
whole on the bill, extending to three
! years the time for tie withdra wing of
distilled liquors from bond. After Il
long debate, the bill passed. Yeas,
us; nays, 116.
4 The committee ontinance, banks and
insurance reported tie annual budget,
which provides for the levy of S405.000
/ for current expenses ?or the present fis-
cad year. The rules were suspended and
the bill passed; bills we're killed: for the
preservation of cranterries; to provide
! for drainage of swanIps, marshes, and
other low lands.