West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-03-09
XLYTH CONGRESS-.

favoring the coinage OF a silver dollar and
that that IL be made legal tender 10 the extent
of $50. Referred. Mr.. Sargent, from the
Committee on Naval Affairs, reported, with
amendment the Senate bill TO organize a
lifesaving and coast guard service. Placed
on the calendar. The bill provides for the
transfer OF this service from the Treasury to
the Navy Department. The Secretary Of the
Treasury, in answer 70 the request for infor-
nation regarding the condition Of the ser
vice on the North Carolina coast, recon-
mended an increase in the number of sta
tions, men, and months OF service, and of
salaries In the morning hour the considera-
ton was resumed of the bill TO regulate the
compensation OF postmasters and for other
purposes, and Mr.. Hamlin submitting an
amendment as an additional section, provid-
ing that the President and Vice President OF
the United States, Senators, Representatives
and Delegates in Congress, the Secretary of
the Senate, and Clerk of the House Of Rep
resentatlyes may send and receive free
through the mails all written and printed
communications not exceeding two ounces
in weight. After n brief discussion as to the
propriety of restoring the Thanking privi-
| lege, the amendments were agreed to-yeas
| 80; nays, 81. The bill was then read the
third time and passed. HoUsc-Im
mediate after the reading OF the journal
| Mr.. Harris called up the contested election
case OF Acklin VS.. DarraJl. An attempt
/ was made to get at the silver bill but il was
| to discuss the Acklin VS.. Darrall case.
/ vote was finally taken on the minority reso-
luton declaring Darrall elected, and il was
I rejec'ed-yeas, ll5; nays, l39; party vote
with the exception of Cox, of Ohio, who
voted with the Democrats. The majority
resolution declaring Acklin elected was
adopted without division. Acklin then APP
| peared at the bar of the House, and wa
! sworn in, taking the iron-clad oath.
FEBRUAY 22.-Senote-Mr Window pre-
sented a memorial of the Board of Com.
m ssioners appointed by Ohio, Pennsyl-
| vania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee,
| Indiana and Illinois to look after the i'm.
! provement of the Ohio River and its
tr butaIies, asking Congre to consider
without delay the question of the impr We
mcnt OF the Ohio River and its tributaries
not as merely local question, as
national Importance, etc. Referred
The Senate, after agreeing from the close of
the session to-day to adjourn over till Mon.
day, went into executive session. m House
A bill to relieve certain legal disabilities Of
women was read. 1t provides that when a
| woman has been a member of the bar OF the
highest court in any State or Territory, she
shall, on application, be admitted to practice
before the United States Supreme Court
Passed-yeas, 100; nays, 81. The main ques-
ton on the silver bill having been ordered,
the House proceeded to vote upon the
NJ.
providing that silver shall be egal tender ex.
cept where otherwise expressly stipulated i'm
! the contract, was concurred in-176 to So
The second amendment was that which
strikes out the free coinage feature of the
House bill and inserts a provision limiting
the coinage of the silver dollar, and provid.
ing that any gain arising from that coinage
shall be paid into the Treasury. IL was
concurred in-yeas, POP; nays, II The
next vote was on the third amendment, pro-
posing an International Silver Conference.
Ii was agreed to-yeas, 1876; nays H. The
next vote was on the fourth Senate amend.
ment, authorizing the issue OF certificates in
exchange for silver coin. 1t was agreed to
without division. The other amendments
were simply formal, and were concurred in
without division. The bill now goes to the
President for his approval
FEBRUARY 20. - Senate - Vice-President
Wheeler, suffering recently from neuralgia.
gave notice in the morning of his intended
absence for several days, and asked that a
President pro TEN be designated. He will
leave for Pittsburg, Penn, on a visit
to relatives. Mr.. ConkIing presented the
petition OF James Gordon Bennett, asking
Congress to aid him in seeking new dis.
coveries at the North Pole. He had pur-
chased the Arctic vessel Pandora, and in
tended to man and run her at his own ex
pense. The petitioner desired that the
vessel should carry the American flag
Referred TO the Committee on Commerce
Several petitions were presented on various
topics, aud amendments submit ted to the
Military Academy Appropriation bill,
which were referred. Mr.. Voorhees, called
up the resolution submitted by him the
! 18th, providing for an INQUIRY in relation
to the issue of certain bonds by several raj II.
road companies, as contingent grants of
lands OF the Indians of the Indian Territory
The amendment of Mr.. Dorsey, submitted
the 18th, directing inquiry to be made also
as to the money expended by the several
tribes OF the Indian Territory in support OF
the delegates to Washington, etc, was
accepted by Mr.. Voorhees,, and the reso.
luton as amended was agreed TO-
1t was ordered that the investigation be
made by the Committee on Territories The
Silver Dill was signed by the Vice-P President,
and now goes to the President. The House
joint resolution to authorize the Secretary
OF War TO issue certain arms to the Wash.
ington Light Infantry of Charleston, $. c.,
was taken up and passed .... HouSe-A
number OF bills were introduced and re-
ierred. Mr.. Banning, Chairman of the Mill.
tary Committee, reported back the bill re.
organizing the army consolidating certain
OF ITS departments and reducing its cost.
Printed and recommitted. Mr. Scales, Chair.
man of the Committee on Indian Affairs.
reported bill to transfer the Indian Bureau
from the Interior Department TO the War
Department. Referred to Committee of the
Whole. Mr.. Miller offered q resolution di.
rectng the Freedman's Bank Commits ,ioners
to report why the funds already accumulated
IN their hands have not been distributed
and to give an itemized account of ali
moneys distributed to them, and the names
OF all debtors Of the institution. Adopted.
On motion Of Mr.. Hewitt Of Alabama, the
House went into Committee Of the Whole
Mr.. Southland in the chair, and resumed
consideration Of the bill granting pensions
70 soldiers and sailors Of the Mexican and
Indian wars. After discussion, the Com.
mittee rose without action.
FEBRUARY 2G.-Senate- w. Ferry
was elected President pro TEN. OF the Senate
by vote ct % to %, Mr. Thurman being in
opposition. Mr.. Thurman escorted MFR.
Ferry 90 the Presidents desk. Mr.. Beck
presented resolutions Of the Kentucky Leg.
islature favoring the repeal or reduction of
the tax on tobacco. Referred. Also, a
resolution that the Legislature favor an
appropriation for the Improvement of the
nayigable waters Of Kentucky. Referred
Mr.. Cockrell submitted a resolution direct.
ing the Commissioners Of Agriculture
TO furnish the Senate such infor.
nation and facts as may be i'm his possession
m regard 10 the disease known as hog
cholera, and the diseases OF animals Vcuer.
ally, with such suggestions as he NAV deem
pertinent. Agreed 20. Mr.. Beck called up
the resolution submitted by him on the 21s
OF January, declaring IL iuexpedient to inn.
pose taxes az this time for the purpose of
providing for a sinking fund, and directing
] he go 81