The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-07-03
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

The House bill forbidding the demanding of
8 ore than $40 fees in pension cases was
adopted. D.. Mr. Voorhees, moved to lay aside
the calendar for the purpose OF considering
the bill authorizing the payment Of customs
in legal-tender notes. Some discussion ON
points of order ensued, but the Senate decided
to take up the bill by 33 to 10. Objection was
raised TO the second reading, and the bill went
over. AT the evening session the Matthew
investigation committee was authorized to
hold sessions anywhere. The bill to form
the Territory Of Lincoln, to include the Black
Hills country was postponed till December. :.
In executive session the Senate confirmed the
nomination of Messrs Groesbeck and Walker
to represent the United States in the monetary
conference provided for in the silver bill, aud
rejected the nomination OF Mr.. Fenton in q
similar capacity. The President, who had
occupied his room at the Capitol all day. there
upon sent in the name of Charles B. Lawrence,
of Illinois, but was induced by several sena-
tors to withdraw that gentlemans name and
renominate Mr.. Fenton. After a speech by
Senator Conkng in favor Of the nominee Mr.
Fenton was confirmed by vote of 26 to a.
The Senate soon after adjourned for the ses-
sion.
House.
motion to suspend the rules and pass the
bill to retire national bank notes and substitute
treasury notes was rejected. Mr.. Southard's
bill authorizing the payment of customs in
legal tender notes after Oct l, 1878, was
passed under suspension of the rules . The
Senate bill establishing an authorship of rail-
road accounts was passed. :. Mr. Haskell, of
Kansas, moved to suspend the rules and pass
the bill providing that all pensions on account
of death, wounds received, or disease con-
tracted in the service of the United States
during the late war, shall commence from the
date of death or discharge and for the pay
ment of arrears of pensions on that principle,
and also providing that no claim agent shall be
entitled to any compensation for making appli-
cation for arrears OF pensions. Agreed to-
yeas, 161 nays, g.. Mr.. Conger, of Michi-
gan, moved to suspend the rules and pass the
Joint resolution proposing Constitutional
! amendment forever prohibiting the payment of
any claim for property taken, used, injured, or
destroyed by United States troops during the
late war unless the owner was loyal to the gov
eminent, and gave neither aid nor encourage
| ment to the enemy. Agreed to-yeas, IA
nays, 81. The conference committee reported
agreement on the sundry civil bill, with the
fisheries award included, making in all 1874,
$50, 100, and the report was adopted.
The House soon after adjourned for the
session.
The House Presidential Election InvestIga-
tiOn.
After adjourning over the last days Of Con-
| Brebs inc comnnlttee rea5semDled ana called as
the first witness Captain Thomas A. jerks, of
New Orleans, who testified that in 1875 his
residence was in East Feliciana parish; held
the position Of United States deputy marshal;
was appointed by Marshal Pithin; Republicans
in the parish had told witness that they were
afraid to register their names on account of the
intimidation. At this point Mr.. McMahon
inquired II MIR. jerks was witness called at
the instance Of Mr.. Sherman. Mr.. Reed re-
Piled that he was. Whereupon Mr.. Mcmahon
said that he objected to any questions being
put relating to affairs in East Feciana parish,
except what materially affected Mr.. Sherman,
and that the question whether or not Mr..
Sherman wrote the so-called I" Sherman letter y
should be decided before this witness gave
testimony regarding the intimidation which
was experienced by Republicans in East Fell
ciana parish. A long discussion followed
and ended by Mr.. McMahon's withdraw
ing his objection and the continuance OF
examination Of witness, who had not testified
much further when Mr.. Mcmahon again OBJ
jected, but witness was allowed to proceed with
the understanding that future meeting, when
the members were all present, it will BIO decld-
ed whether or not the testimony, so far az it
relates to intimidation, shall be accepted or
stricken out Witness then testified about
the alleged intimidation in East Feliciana, say