Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-12-24
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS,

In the Cnitod States Senate, on the 18th,
Mr.. Blaine,s resolution in regard to the in
quiry as to whether citizens had been de-
prived of their constitutional rights was
passed, as also was Dir. Thurman's amend.
meDt inquiripg into the use of money to cor
rupt voters, threats of discharge, and the
conduct of United States marshals and su-
pcrvisors. The investigation is to be made
by committee of nine Senator'S. Two
amendments, one of them by Mr. Davis, of
West Virginia, were offered from the demo-
caatic side to conduct the investigation with
open DOORS but both were defeated by a
strict party vote.
Hon. Ben. Wilson of the First District
introduced bill on the 14th, in the House,
authorizing terms of the United States Dis.
trict Court to be held at Martinsburg on tue
tenth days of January and June each year.
The bill passed and no doubt will go through
the Senate with equal rapidity
There was lively tilt in the House one
day last week Mr.. Cabel, of Virginia, en-
deavored to have a resolution introduced d.
recting the judiciary committee to inquire
into the conduct of Judge Rives in trans
ferring criminal cases from State courts to
United States courts III Virginia, under the
civil rights acts Mr.. Hale, of Maine, and
Mr.. White, of Pennsylvania, objected. Il
want it noted, Mr.. Speaker" said Cabo.l,
"who objects" Thereupou, Mr. Townsend,
of New York, rising to question of privi-
lege, said that he wanted to know if menu
Der had not the right to object without being
subjected to menace. Cabell replied with
much warmth, 81 meant no menace; whom
l make a demonstration against gentleman
l do it in such way that he cannot mis-
take it." Mr.. Acklen, of Louisiana, inter-
rupting, said, s'Mr. Speaker, let's road the
riot act" to which MIR. Townsend quickly
retortcd, "You have had the riot act read in
Louisiana during the recent election"
Congress adjourned, on the Goth, until tho
18th of January.
PREVENTED BY MoDssTY FROM SAVING
HER LIFE.-The steamer. Cotton Valley,
was sunk in the Mississippi river last week,
by striking snag. Among the passengers
was Miss Sanford, nece of VIM. i. SAM
ford, of Loudoun county, Virginia, who,
with her aunt, was going on visit to her
old home in Louisiana. An account of the
wreck says
"Whcn the steamer sank the passengers
cndcavored to save themselves by clinging to
such boxes or bales as were hoated off from
hn SIR balm hat
the only passenger lost was Miss Sanford,
from Loudoun county, Va. This young la
dy was told to save herself, but stopped to
dress and SO found a watery grave. I1e
aunt, who was with her, was saved. The
last that was seen of the poor girl she was
standing in her night dress calling piteously
for assistance. Her long hair was streaming
in the storm, while her thin garment, wet
with the rain, clung closely about her.
Clad only in chemise. she refused to enter
the life boat thus exposed. Far aft on the
hurricane deck she stood wringing her hands,
when II. Stoin, clerk of the Morgan, came
near in q yawl He begged her, for Gods
sake, to leap into the river, pointing out a
floating box to which she might cling. but
just then the Valley made plunge and went
down, stern first, and Miss Sanford was lost
COUNTY ITEMs-From the Shepherds
town Register we copy the following items ::
County Council, p. of H, will meet at
DufieIds on Saturday, the 2Sth instant.
Mr.. Samuel Lohr, near Kearneysville. has
killed the ''boss" hog, weighing GIL pounds.
We acknowledge the reception of a pamph>
let copy of the "Report on State Medicine
and Public Hygiene" by NJ. S. Hall, NJ. D. !,
as reprinted from transactions of the ". Va.
Medical Society. The report advocates the
creation of an efficient State Board of Health,
and sets forth some strong reasons why it
should be established.