The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-17
THE DoINGs OF CONGRESS.
Mr.. Beck Asking that John sherman he SUM
moned nefOre the sennte.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1G.-In opening the
Senate the Chaplain mentioned tho Princess
Alices death. PRAYING: o Lord, for all that
mourn this day. alike in the palaces Of kings,
and In the iowy dwellings Of the poor. We be-
seech Thy mercy and Thy favor.
A bill was introduced by Mr. Beck Dem. KY
providing that jurors in United States Courts
may not be challenged because they have borne
arms against the Government; also requiring
the ronclad oath to be administered to jurors
in United States Courts. Mr. Beck also intro
duced resolution directing that John Sher-
man be summoned before tho Senate on We'd
nesday next TO answer why he had not obeyed
the Senate resolution Of Dec. 3. asking for infor-
nation ns 10 what amount. of liver has been re-,
ceiyed for customs duties in the present fiscal
year. and whether he has applied tho amount
10 the payment ~ interest on United States
bonds or notes. Mr.. Beck said That he wished
TO see whether last winters Silver bin had been
n good one. Ho quoted from the public debt
statement and argued that the Secretary had
Increased the bonded debt ~ tho United States,
bearing interest 10 the extent Of flO4 400 $50
and this in the face Of professions that the
national debt was being diminished.
Mr. Merrmon Dem. y. Cl-How has he done
thMSfi poo.-uo has dana II NV sollirc bopdsard
boarding gold. The Secretary further said that
hs intended 10 issue notes OF high character
Of large denomination, on the LIST Of January
next. These and many other things the Senate
The Consular and Diplomatic bill was re-
ported from committee amended so as 70 pro-
vide for continuing those branches of the ser
vice the same as they now exist. II adopts tho
provisions Of the House bill which provide
$40. 900 Tor tho diplomatic and consular service
don't; 500 900 for Charges dA6aires and other
diplomatic officers al interim, and $4,000 10
restore second secretaries" to our legations
In England. Franco. and Germany.
The Naval bill WIS also reported. being
amended hy the addition Of appropriations az
gregating $4,000.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Chalmers Dem. Mss.l moved to pass
under suspension OF the rules. the bill to make
ii penal offence for any United States agent Il
NEEDLE with elections by use OF money or per-
lO3-not the two-thirds Iequred-Alr. Kelley
rep. Pa voting with the Democrats.
Mr.. Fort rep. Ill) Introduced bill Inn
posing a penalty OF 81 900 for a refusal by
any national banking association to re-
ccive or pay out standard silver dollars
also. a bill requiring the Secretary of the
Treasury to exchange bank, notes for sill
posing 10 make the silver dollar Of 4l2h grains.
and the minor coins relatively to like weights
and nneness, providing for free coinage. and
making all silver coin legal tender for any
amount when not specified In tina contract.
Another bill introduced proposed to limit the
coinage OF the standard silver dollar to five dol.
lars per capita. according to the census about
the amount OF twenty dollars Tor all debts,
Mr.. Gibson dem. La introduced I'LL az,
propriating So 900 for the Improvement ol
the Mississippi River aud it's tributaries. 10 be
expended under direction OF tho Secretary oil
War.