The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-13
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY,
Senate.

Petitions we're presented for and against the
reconciliation of silver, the repeal Of the re-
sumption act and unguarded legislation on the
tariff. ia resolution accepting the statue of
William King, first governor of Maine, contribut-
ed by the State of Maine to the national collec-
ton of s~tatuary, and returning the thanks of
Congress to the people Of that State for the
contribution was offered by Mr.. Hamlin. Re-
marks on the life and character of Mr.. King
were made by Messrs. Hamlin and Blaine, the
latter, in his address, making illusions to
Massachusetts, to which the Senators from that
State responded. Adjourned.
Mr.. Blaine introduced q bill to authorize the
coinage Of silver dollars, and to make the same
q legal tender to the amount of five dollars,
gold. It WAS ordered to be printed. The res
| olution Of Mr.. Matthews to pay the principal
and interest Of the bonds in silver came up, and
Mr.. Cockrell, Of Missouri, continued his re-
marks in favor Of the resolution. Mr.. Ran
dolph, Of New Jersey, spoke against the reso-
luton. Adjourned.
Petitions from all parts Of the country we're
point a commission Of inquiry concerning the
alcoholic liquor traffic. and many petitions
against certain changes in the tariff, and pro-
testing against the restoration of the duty on
tea and coffee were presented and all referred
to the committee on finance. ...M Mr.. Lamar
argued at length in opposition to the resolution
of Mr.. Matthews to pay the bonds in silver.
Adjourned.
At the expiration of the morning hour, the
resolution OF Mr.. Matthews declaring the right
of the government to pay the bonds in silver
was taken up, and the amendment Of Mr..
Conkling to make the resolution joint instead
Of concurrent, was rejected by yeas, % nays,
SO. Mr.. Edmunds' amendment was rejected
by q vote Of 10 to A. The Senate, then, after
q long debate, and by vote Of yeas 43, nays
%, passed the resolution as offered by Mr..
Matthews. Adjourned.
Many petitions were presented from all Sec
reduction of certain tariff duties, and the res
toration OF the tax on tea and coffee also ask
ing Congress to provide for a commission to
inquire into the alcoholic liquor traffic, all Of
which wore referred to the committee on
finance. . =. The House bill to authorize the free
coinage Of the standard silver dollar, and to
restore its legal tender character, came up, and
Mr.. Morrill, spoken opposition to it. Adjourned.
House.
Mr.. Ewing, Of Ohio. from the committee on
banking and currency, reported the resolution
amount of gold and silver coin and bullion
owned by the United States; the amount Of
bonds which have been sold by the secretary
Of the treasury for coin; the amount Of gold
and silver coin, bank-notes, and legal tenders
held by banking institutions, and such other
facts as will tend to inform the House when
and by what method it will be practicable and
consistent with the public welfare to resume
specie PAYMENTS. Adopted. The Senate
Maine the statue Of its first governor, William
King. WAS taken up'and passed. Messrs. Frye
and Reed, Of Maine, pronounced eulogles, and
then the Hons adjourned.
The steamboat bill was taken up in the House
and discussed. il motion to exclude Chinese
from employment as seamen on American
steamships WAS debated and then withdrawn,
the subject being already before a committee
Of the House. 80. Eulogies on the late Senator
Hatcher, Rea and Chittenden, Of Missouri,
Waddeu, Of North Carolina Phillips, Of Kan
sas, Knott Of Kentucky Sparks, Of illinois !;
T~hrockmorton, of Texas Clark, Of Missouri,
and Ellis, Of Louisiana. Adjourned.
The House proceeded to the consideration Of
the bill amending the laws concerning COM
MERGE and navigation, and the regulation Of
steam vessels, and disposed Of all but the last
paragraph of the bill. Adjourned.
The House continued the consideration OF
the steamboat bill, which was further amended
and passed. go. The Senate bill authorizing the
public printer to purchase material in the open
market was passed IA report was made from
the judiciary committee that the arrest Of Rep
resen,ative Smalls, Of South Carolina, is not a
breach Of the privileges Of the House. Ad-
journed.
After the introduction of q number Of bills,
including one reducing the number Of Repre-
sentatives in Congress to $50, MIR. Baker, Of
Indiana, moved to suspend the rules, and
adopt a resolution declaring that no subsidy in
any form should be granted to corporations en-
gaging in private enterprises. motion to ad-
journ was Immediately made, which was re-
ton was then adopted by yeas 174, nays S..
Mr.. Ewing, of Ohio, moved to suspend the
rules, and concur in the Senate resolution
known as the Matthews silver resolution"
for the payment Of United States bonds, prin-
cipal and interest, in silver and gold. The
motion was adopted by yeas 1877, nays 70, and
the House adjourned.