West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-03-30
XLvTH CONGRESS.

MARCH 12.-Senate--A resolution was
agreed 10 instructing an inquiry into the
expediency OF prosecuting certain claims
against the Government in Circuit Courts
for the districts in which they originate
A bill in aid Of the Polar expedition. de.
signed by James Gordon Bennett, was passed
unanimously, without debate ......... House
Most of the day was occupied in debate that
resulted i'm no action.
MARCH l3.-Sen0te-A bill was presented
for the relief Of book agents Of the NJ. T..
Church South, appropriating $4,000 TO
compensate parties in Nashville for damages
done 10 property during the war. Various APP
preparations were agreed to, including the
passage OF the Military Academy Bill.
Senate bill passed continuing till February
1, 1879, the Commission to hear claims
relating to the Government reserva-
ton at Hot Springs, Arkansas; author
lzing the lease to the Hot Springs
Mountain Water Company Of bathing sites.
and authorizing that company to construct
"A reservoir 10 supply the town with water
a House bill passed making persons charged
with crimes and ofenses competent wit.
nesses in United States and Territorial
Courts. ..... HouSe-A bill passed making
changes in the duties OF foreign Consuls,
and in the salaries of the same, aud foreign
Ministers. The Senate bill passed i'm aid of
the Bennett Polar Expedition.
MARCH i4.-.Sendto-A lumber of pension
bills were passed during the morning hour,
among them one granting fifty dollars a
month to the widow of Rear Admiral Charles
Wilkes. Consideration was resumed OF un-
finished business, being the bill in regard to
the Pacific Railroad Sinking Fund, and Mr..
Matthews spoke in favor OF the bill re-
ported by the Committee on Railroads. The
day was spent in debate, and the Senate
adjourned till Monday. HoUSe-A bill
passed restricting the number Of assistants
~ N NAE e.. Il
limiting the fee to $1,000. A Greenback
bill was reported by Mr.. Voorhees,. bill
was passed limiting the compensation of
Clerks of the United States District and
Circuit Courts to $500 when one person
holds both Offices. The House bill passed
extending to three years the time Tor tue
withdrawal from bond of distilled spirits
A bill providing for an appropriation of
$4,000 Contingent House Fund, passed
MARCH 15.-HouSe Mr.. Robbins, from
the Committee on Ways aud Means re-
ported n substitute for the bill to promote
the deposit of savings in the Treasury, and
the refunding Of the National debt, which
was referred to the Committee of the
Whole. The bill provides that for the
purpose OF refunding the outstanding six
percent bonds into bonds bearing a lower
rate of interest, any person may deposit at
any postal money order office lawful money
oil the United States, in sums not less than
one dollar, and shall be entitled
to receive therefor postal money
order on the Treasury, and that when such
money order shall be presented to the Treas
ury ut Washington, they shall be entered to
the credit of the depositor, and when such
deposits amount to fifty dollars they shall, at
the option of the depositor, be convertible
INTO four per cent bonds. On motion of
Mr. Springer, to morrow's session was set
apart FOR private business. The contested
electlon case OF Dean VS.. Field, from the
Third District of Massachusetts, was then
considered. The Speaker announced the
death, in Havana, of yellow fever of Hon
j. T.. Leonard, OF Louisiana, and the House
adjourned out of respect to his memory.
MARCH 16.-HOuSc-Mr O'Neill offered n
resolution directing the Attorney General
to inform the House whether in his opinion.
the annual appointment of ten cadets nj
large. made by the President respectively to
The Military Academy and Naval Academy
nave been so made in pursuance of law or
py custom and, If by custom, how long it
mas Deen construed as establishing such
power OF appointment Adopted. At the
conclusion of the morning hour Mr.
Bright moved the House 90 into n commit
tee OF the Whole on the private calendar.
the Dill being one making available for the
payment OF certain antebellum mail con-
tractors the 1850 already Appropriated
and also moved that all debate be limited to
ten minutes. The Republicans objected To
the Limitation of time, AMI yeas and NAYS
were ordered on that motion. The Commit.
the of the Whole, without discussion, struck
out the enacting clause of the bill for the
reliet of certain Southern mail contractors,
and reported it's action to the House. which
cflectually defeats the bill.
MARCH 1S.-SeTldte--The Judiciary Com.
mlttee reported adversely on the House hiIl
providing for the admission of women of
certain qualifications to practice i'm the Su.
preme Court. The same committee exDect
TO report soon on the bill to repeaI the
Bankrupt Law. The House bill was passed
making an appropriation of $4,000 for
ioruhcatlon expenses. The Senate hill
passed prohibiting Congressman from being
security on bonds in which the Government
rs interested.,.......HO uSe-A bill was intro.
duced Tor the payment of certain Southern
mail contractors who have not been paid bv
the Confederacy; and also one for repeaIinc
the law appropriating $4,000 to be applied
10 such end also, one to erect a monument
over the grave of Thomas Jefferson, and one
Oy Mr.. Ewing, to grant to Ohio unsold
public lands remaining in the State.
MARCH 19.-Sendto-The House hin
passed, granting American register TO for.
eign built ships, for the purpose of the
woodruff expedition around the world
Dill was passed TO authorize q treaty with
the Ute lndians,........ House The Uouse
bill passed reducing the pay of United
states Jurors from three dollars to two dol
lars day, fixing the fees Of Clerks of said
Courts, limiting compensation of Marshnls
20 SO,OOO per annum, of chief deputies 10
$500 and other deputies to FIVE dollars n
day: The sum Of S29,2s9,0O0 was appropri.
ated Tor payment OF invalid and other pen.
sloners. The Senate bill passed appointing
General w. T. Sherman Regent of tbc
Smithsonian Institution.
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