The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-12-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

In the Senate, on the 10th, Senator Beck
created some little excitement by Offering a
resolution directing and requesting Secre
tary Sherman to appear in person before
the Senate on Wednesday next, at one
o'clock, and inform the Senate what reason
he has, if any, for failing to answer The
resolution of the Senate requesting him
to inform the Senate how much silver coin
has been received for custom duties, and
how much has been applied for the pay
ment of interest on public debt, and If not
any, why. After some discussion, the res
olution went over under the rules.
At the expiration of the morning business,
the resolution of Mr. Blaine, in regard to
elections in the South, was taken up. After
brief colloquy, the amendment of Mr..
Thurman was agreed to without division.
A further amendment was adopted, pro-
viding that the investigation shall be
conducted by special committee of
nine men, Senators, instead of by the Ju-
dietary Committee. Pending the dis
cussion, the Senate went into executive
session.......In the House a number of
bills were introduced amending the coinage
act, in reference to silver. Mr.. Gibson in
| troduced a bi for the improvement of the
Mississippi and it's tributaries, from tn
head of the passes near it's mouth to its
headwaters. The bill proposes to appro-
pirate So, 100000, to be expended by the Sec
| retarysof War. Mr.. Chalmers moved to sus-
pend the rules and pass the bill making it
penal offence for any officer, agent or con-
tractor of the United States to intermeddle
| with the election of members of Congress or
of President by the contribution of money,
or by the use of official privileges, or by
bribes, threats, influence, etc., and also max
| ing it penal offence to solicit or receive
contribu lions for election purposes from
persons in the employ of the government.
Eejected-Yeas, 1872; nays, 1903; not the
necessary two-thirds in the affirmative.
In the Senate, December II, Mr.. Window,
in explanation of the Consular and Diplo-
matte Appropriation Bill said as it came to
the Senate it appropriated 81 ,O45, ,735. The
Senate committee added $50, ,1O0 and, as
now reported, the bill appropriates S50,SO0
less than the estimate for the next fiscal year.
The committee had reported the salaries
Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, and other
places. Various amendments proposed by
the committee were agreed to without dis
cussion. The bill then passed. The Vice
President laid before the Senate a commu-
nication from the Secretary of War, sug
gesting that the appropriation for the sub
sistence of the army for the next fiscal year
be made available from the passage of the
act, that the Government may purchase
goods to be shipped to posts in the fan
West as soon as possible. Referred. Also
) a communication from the Secretary of the
: IredSury1n reply TO Mr. DECKS TesoluIloI
of December 8, calling for information as tc
the amount of silver coin received from Gus
= toms duties, and if applied to the paymen
of interest on the public debts. The Secre
t iary transmitted a report from the Treas
e urer of the United States on the subject. Or
dered to lie upon the table and be printed
Mr.. Blaine's resolution regarding the Con
d stitutional rights of citizens, was taken up
a and after discussion, in which Messrs
Blaine, Wallace, Whyte, and Morgan tool
|; part, was finally passed by vote or Sc yea
y to nays Those who voted against tn
a bill were Messrs. Eaton, Hill, McCreery
d Morgan, Wallace, and Whyte. After passin
l. a resolution in favor of adjourning fror
n Friday, December 20, to Tuesday, Januar
n Z, the Senate adjourned....... In the House
= some bills having been introduced and re
= ferred, consideration was resumed of til
o Geneva Award Bill, and Mr.. Keifer advr
d Gated the majority report. Messrs. Humphrey
s. Burchard, Monroe, Chittenden and Luterel
- favored the minority report. Further cor
=. sideration of the bill was postponed, an
70 the House went into Committee of tn
is Whole, Mr.. Carlisle in the chair, on the bi
r appropriating $3.50, 900 to meet the deficieIc
e in the appropriation for postal mail sci
Il vice, and prohibiting any increase in posts
:, card service during the present year. N
u action was taken on the bill.
e In the Senate, on the 18th, the House hi
k giving twenty condemned cannon to tn