The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, March 4, bill was intro
duced and referred, authorizing the issue of
silver bullion certificates, in sums not less
than so, received at par, the same as gold
certificates, for duties and all public dues.
A joint resolution relative to Chinese i'm
migration was presented and temporarily
laid on the tab e. The long bond bill was
passed over. A House bill was passed max
ing appropriations for the payment of
claims. Bills were passed authorizing the
construction of bridge over The Missouri
River at Glasgow, NO., and one, by the
Arkansas River Transfer Company, over
the Arkansas River. Senator Davis, of
Illinois, spoke of an abuse of the mileage
privilege by q. S. District Attorney.
In the House, bills were referred,
authorizing Circuit and District Judges to
fine and imprision, at decretion. in cases of
conviction of Illicit distilation, in lieu of
the punishment now required; providing
for classification of mail matter, and fixing
postage rates thereon for water route
between Lake Michigan and Erie; relative
to Improvement of navigation of the
Mississippi River; and regulating and pro.
teeting fish culture in the lakes. A resolu-
ton was adopted directing information as
to the sale of bonds for the redemption of
outstanding legal-tender notes, as was Sen
ate bill amending laws granting pensions to
officers and soldiers of the war of 1872,
restoring to the rolls the names stricken
therefrom for disloyalty, allowing, however,
no back pay.
/ In the Senate, March 5, the Long Bond
Bill was again laid over, on account of t1e
| continued absence of the member who had
it in charge. A 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 a bill TO prohibit
members of Congress from subscribing to
| official bonds pertaining to Government
| officers OF contracts. In the House reso.
luton was referred which recited that the
Union and Central Pacific Railroads are
indebted to the United States $2S, ,000, ,00I
| and accrued interest on bonds guaranteed
| by the Government. The Committee on
Territories reported adversely on the bill to
establish the Territory of Pembina.
In the Senate, March s, bill was passed
authorizing the Worthington and Sioux
Falls Railroad Company to extend its road
into the Territory of Dakota to the village
of Sioux Falls. The Senate passed Wallace's
Long Bond Bill after amendments, making
| the interest four per cent, instead of 1865
and providing that the bonds shall be dis
| posed of for coin, or for United States notes
at their nominal value, instead of at the rate
at which they may then stand in the market
......In the House, the Fertilization Bill was
| passed. as was one for the erection of public
clusion of the morning hour, the Speaker
| laid before the House message from tht
| President, returning, without approval, the
House bill authorizing a special Term of The
Circuit Court of the United States for the
Southern District of Mississippi, to be helt
at Scranton the second Monday in March
The message stated there was not suficien
time to give notice to the holding of salt
| special term, and the Government could no
| prepare for trial at the said term because M
funds would be available for that purpose
The bill and the message were referred
The House then went into committee of tn
| whole, Mr.. Potter in the chair, on the De
ficiency Appropriation Bill.
In the Senate, March z, bills were intro
duced and referred, to provide for the or
ganization OF the Mississippi River Improve
Ident Commission, and for the correction
permanent location, and deepening of tn
channel, and the improvement of the navi
cation of that river. Mr.. Sargent called VI
his joint resolution in regard to Chimes
immigration, and made speech thereon
At the conclusion of his speech, Mr.. Sargen
| moved the joint resolution be referred t.
the Committee on Foreign Relations, bu
at the request of Mr.. Booth, he withdre,
the motion, and consented that it lie on tn
table for the present in order that his CO.
league, Booth, might address the Senate il
regard thereto; and that Senator CAV
notice that he would do SO next week..
In the House, the Deficiency Appropriate
Bill was passed. 1t appropriates Sc, 500 fo
temporary clerks in the Treasury; 5000
for clerks to investigate fraudulent land Ell
tries ETC.; $25, 900 for clerks in the Geners
Land Office to bring into market publ
lands in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississpp
Alabama, and Florida, and $4,000 for hea
ing and gas of the Pension Office.
In the Senate, March 8, no business ws
dene.... In the House, the Senate amen,
ments suspending the operation of Unite
States statutes in regard to the Guano l
lands, were concurred in. A resolution ws
adopted calling on the Secretaries of VIZ
aud Interior for information in regard I
geographical and geological surveys col
Quoted by them respectively during the La
year.
In the House, March 9, the Committee Q
Appropriations reported bill providir
for 81, ,533, AS, deficiencies in the Cover
, ment service for the fiscal year endir
June 80, 1878. The House had in consi
Grafton the Consular and Diplomatic A
! preparation Bill, which contemplates redu
tions in allowances for ministerial and CO
, sular service. A speech by Mr.. Kelley,
Pennsylvania, led to debate between tn
gentleman and Messrs. Foster and CARTEL
: of Ohio.