The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-11
CONGRESSIONAL.

Inthe Senate, April 1, the Pacific Railroad
Funding Bill came up and Messrs. Beck and
Christiancy made strong arguments in
favor of the legal power of the Government
to enact such legislation as would protect
the interests of the people against the evil
dent bad faith of the corporations. Secre-
tary Sherman was before the Banking and
Currency Committee, giving his views at
considerable length in regard to resumption,
the probable effect of the Silver Bill, etc.
The conference will be resumed next Thurs
day.. In the House, Mr.. Hartzell intro
duced a joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution, forbidding
assumption on payment of claim for losses
growing out of the destruction of property
within the limits of the States engaged in
rebellion.
In the Senate, April 2, Mr.. Cockerell,
from the Committee on Military atfai s, re-
ported the House resolution granting the
use of artillery, tents, etc, for soldiers
reunion at Marietta, Ohio, in September,
1S78,s Placed on the calendar. The resolu-
tiosrsa transfer to the State Department for
safe-keeping, the records of the Commission
on the Electoral Count, was agreed to. Mr..
Burnside called up, as the special order, the
bill to remove all restriction now existing in
regard to the enlistments of colored citi-
zens in any arm of the United States.
After discussion, the bill was recommittted
with an amendment proposed by Mr.. Blaine,
that hereafter colored men shall have full
right to enlist in all arms of the service.....
In the House, a joint resolution was re-
ported and passed, authorizing the Commits
sion having in charge the Washington Mon
ument, to apply thirty-six thousand dollars
to giving greater stability to the foundation.
Mr.. Harrison, of Illinois, proceeded to ex-
plain the report of the majority, which
recommends the adoption of resolution
declaring the Office of Doorkeeper vacant
At the conclusion of his speech, the House
adjourned.
In the Senate, April 8, at the expiration
of the morning hour consideration was re.
Railroad Funding Bill, and Mr.. Booth spoke
in favor of the bill of the Judiciary Commit.
| tee. Before Mr.. Booth took the floor, Mr.
Thurman proposed an amendment, to be Of
fered at the proper time, providing that
bonds purchased for the Sinking Fund shall
be so stamped as not to be transferable. Al
the conclusion of Mr.. Booths remarks, Mr.
Thurman said, owing to the sickness OF
| some and the absence of other Senators, he
would not insist on vote to-day, but
would ask the Senate to dispose of this
| bill tomorrow. 1he debate was continued
by Messrs. Dawes, Edmunds and Sargent
Mr.. Matthews was recogniz ID as entitled to
the floor tomorrow, and the Senate adj
journed......In In the House, Mr.. Banks, from
resolution admitting one representative o.
each public journal which employs perma
nent correspondent for reporting the pro
ceedings of Congress to the halls and pas
sage-ways around the halls of the House
Adopted. Consideration was then resumed
of the case of Polk, Door-keeper of tn,
| House, bat no action was taken.
In the Senate, April 4, at the expiration o
the morning hour consideration was re
sumed of the unfinished business, being tn,
Pacific Railroad Funding bill, and Mr.
Matthews repelled the arguments agains
the Railroad Commissioners Bill. o.
motion of Mr.. Window the bill fo
the construction of narrow-gauge rail
road from Bismarck to the Black Hill
was taken up and laid over till to
morrow at the request of Mr.. Christiancy
who desired to offer an amendment. At tn
conclusion of his remarks Mr.. Matthews sal
he would withdraw the bill of the Railroa
! Committee, which he had offered as sui
stitute, in order that there might be diree
vote on the Judiciary Committees bill
In the House, Mr.. Butler introduced a bill
to supply convenient currency with whic
minor business transactions of the peopl
: may be done. Referred. 1t provides fo
the issuing of twenty-five and fifty cen
fractional currency, and that any perso
, paying into the Treasury legal-tender note
or coin should receive such an amount {
: directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pa
$ out one-sixth of all payments made frol
g the Treasury in the redemption of Nation:
, Bank notes in United States legal-tende
= notes of the denominations of 81, So, So an
: SIS. Consideration was then resumed
s the Polk case, and Mr.. Cook spoke in fave
q of retaining the door-keeper. The questio
r recurred on the resolutions reported by til
Committee as follows:
Resolued, That the position of Door-keeper of Il
House of Representatives be and hereby is declare
NJ | vacant; and further
: Resosued, That until the appointment of ne
Door-keeper the duties of the Office be and herel
i are devolved on the Sergeant-at-Arms.
They were carried. Immediately on tt
announcement of the vote, Mr.. Hale ro
to move that the House proceed to the ele
tion of a Door-keeper. Mr.. Eden move
: the House adjourn. Agreed to-yeas, II
Il nays, 113; and the House accordingly a
5 journed.
In the Senate, April 5, the Naval Apr
Il priation bill was passed. Considerable
s. was resumed of unfinished business, beil
/ the pending Pacific Railway bill, but m
J, ton for postponement till Monday W
r carried, and the Senate adjourned. .....
e the House, Mr.. Butler, of Massachuset
|, put in nomination for the position of Doc
r keeper, Gen. James Shields, of Missouri
q Democrat. A long and exciting debate G
i sued on a point of order, participated
n n principally by Butler and Cox, of NJ
IL York, the Democrats resisting the right
q make the motion as question of priviles
'i and the Republicans trying to force t
c. issue ON the House. Che question "
r. finally postponed till Monday.
le