The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-03-12
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senntc.

Senntc.
The bill to fix the pay OF letter-c arrlers,
which passed the House last June, wac passed
without amendment. The bill authorizes the
postmaster-general to establish two classes OF
fetter-carriers in all cities containing 8 popn-
lation Of rs, 900 and upward. The salary OF
carriers Of tho first class, who have been IN
service one year, is Fixed at 81, 600 per annum,
and of the second class at $500. In cities con-
tanning less than $4,000 inhabitants, one CLASS
OF carriers is established at an annual salary
Of $3.50. Tho postmaster-general is author
lied to establish a third grade OF carriers, to
be known as auxiliaries, at nh annual salary OF
S4OO. Adjourned, after an executive session.
The army appropriation bill was reported to
the Senate with amendments. Subsequently,
whom the Burnside reorganization bill was
reached on the calendar, objection was made
to its consideration and it was laid aside.
Mr.. Shields addressed the Senate in favor OF
placing the names Of survivors OF :he Mexican
war on the pension rolls. after which the con.
sideration OF the postofice appropriation bill
was resumed. Several amendments to the
Brazilian subsidy clause we're offered and re-
iected, the only one Of Importance which was
adopted providing that the contract shall not
be considered in force if the service on either
line is abandoned or discontinued. Shortly
before midnight, after q protracted debate, tho
subsidy amendment was adopted by a vote OF
% to II. After discussing several other
amendments the bill was finally passed, and,
at one o'clock, the Senate adjourned.
The bill to amend certain provisions OF the
revised statutes relating 10 the transportation
of animals was passed, It provides that ami
mails shall not be kept in cars moro than forty
five hours at one time; that they be properly
fed and watered, and that the secretary Of the
treasury appoint an agent at Portland, Me.
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Norfolk, New Orleans and Galveston, to in
spect ali live animals designed for expectation,
and certify as to their heslthy condition. Ad-
journed.
A communication was received from the
secretary of the treasury in regard to the eI-
portation of cattle, aud suggesting legislation
to prevent the shipment Of diseased animals
49,. Hon. Zachariah Chandler the newly-elected
Senator from Michigan, was sworn in and took
his seat. T.. The consideration OF the army ap-
preparation bill Was resumed, the question
being on the amendment striking out the
reorganization sections, which WAS agreed to-
yeas As, nays 49,. The House provision for
bidding the use of troops at elections WAS also
stricken out by a strict party %vote-yeas 81,
NAYS 80. Various other clauses Of the House
bill we're stricken out. When the provision
authorizing railroad companies to do a tele.
graph business was reached, Mr.. Howe offered
an amendment requiring railroad companies
desiring to do a telegraph business to accept
the restrictions imposed on telegraph companies,
one Of which is that their lines may be pur-
chased by the government at an appraised
valuation. This gave rise to a debate, pending
which the Senate went into executive session
and then adjourned.
The bill accepting Mr.. Benefits ship jean
nette for Arctic explorations and that amend
iag the Freedmen's savings bank charter were
passed without discussion. The Senate re-
sumed the consideration Of thearmy appropria-
ton bill. After considerable discussion, MIR.
Howe's amendment, making railroad compa-
MES doing a telegraph business liable to the
same restrictions as telegraph companies, was
adopted. Mr.. Eaton finally moved to strike
out the railroad telegraph clause as amended,
which was rejected. Finally the bill was re-
ported to the Senate and passed. The yell
low fever bill was then taken up and several
amendments we're adopted. During the even
ing several attempts were made to obtain a
quorum, and at midnight the sergeant-at-arms
was instructed to request absent Senators to
attend. An hour later he reported but as
only two or three additional members appeared
be was instructed to compel the attendance OF
the absentees. This is said to be the first time
such an order has been made.
The bill to prevent the introduction OF con.
tagious diseases into the United States, and to
establish a bureau Of public health, was
passed. 90. The Vics-President, by request, laid
before the Senate a telegram from the Cali
furnia Constitutional convention, thanking Con-
gress for the passage Of tho bill restricting
the emigration Of Chinese, and declaring that
the Senators and Representatives in Congress
who supported it will receive tbs lasting graft
-.z~1S Ho1iSo, MO npop Mr.
Hoar's point of order the chair decided the
telegram could not be received. After
adopting suitable resolutions in honor OF the
late Representative WEIGH, the Senate ad-
iourned.
Mr.. Edmurds, of Vermont. from the COM
mittee on the judiciary, reported, IN accord
ance with q resolution recently adopted by the
Senate on his motion, a bill further to protect
the constitutional rights Of citizens and to
punish violations Of the same. 1t was placed
on the calendar. The conference report on
tho internal revenue bill was agreed to-. By
it's provisions the tsx on tobacco has been
reduced, and the tax on lucifer matches re-
tanned. -. The consideration of the deficiency
appropriation bill WAS resumed, the pending
question being on the amendment appropriate
ing $3.50, 900 for court expenses and Tor e1-
penses incurred under tho enforcement act,
and, after a debate, it was agreed to, and the
bill passed. At the evening session q large
number Of relief and pension bills were passed,
after which the Senate adjourned.
In committee of the whole the amendment to
the legislative appropriation bill, fixing the pay
Jurors, regulating the method OF drawing
them, and repeating the statutes IN regard to
the Jurors test oath, was agreed to by LIT to %
AN exciting DEBATE then er"uod upon MIR.
Southard's amendment repeating the section
which authorizes the appointment OF super
visors Of election, but without taking action the
House adjourned.
The Florida contested election case Of Finley
against Bisbee was called up, and the majority
report in favor Of Finley was adopted cy III
to 1922, and Mr.. Finley was sworn in....ln the
evening memorial services in honor OF the
late Representatives Welsh and Williams were
held. Adjourned. :.
Mr.. Whitthorne, chair mau OF the committee
on naval affairs, reported back the bill author
izing the secretary Of the navy to accept for
the purpose Of a Polar exploration by way OF
Behring straits, the ship ~Jeannette, rendered
by MIR. James g.. Bennett. Passed. The bill
for the relief Of John T.. Armstrong, OF Viz
einia, on account Of wharf property occupied
by f. United States army in Alexandra dur
ing -: war, WAS defeated, as we're several other
Dlllb plOFlOluS ~ lHo
Adjourned.
The committee on expenditures in the State
department presented a report ordering a war
rant to be issued for the arrest OF Minister
George F. Seward for contempt as a contu-
maoious witness. -. On motion tho business on
the speakers table was proceeded with. The
second bill WAS the Honse bill for the repeal
of the resumption act, as amended by the sem
ate, providing that after the passage OF this
act United States notes shall be receivable the
same as coin in the payment Of four per cent.
bonds. which are authorized by law to be is-
sued, and after October /, 1879, they shall
be receivable for duties on imports. MIR:
Ewing, Of Ohio. acting under authority OF
the committee on banking and currency, sub.
mitted amendments, the first striking out
"Oct. /, 1870" 80 as to make United states
notes immediately receivable for payment OF
customs duties. The second amendment offered
by him was az follows: "Provided that the
money hereafter received from any sale OF
United States bonds shall DO applied only 10
the redemption Of other bonds bearing the
highest rate Of interest and subject to call, and
provided that whenever, from time to time,
the proceeds of tho sales Of bonds shall aegre-
gate So, 900, 900, the secretary OF the treasury
shall issue g. call for that amount OF bonds, and
the interest on the bonds called for redemption
shaIl cease in thirty days from the date OF such
call, and all United States notes received into
printed or issued or paid out by the treasurer
or the assistant treasurer. BY Mr.: Kelley.
authorizing the issue Of coupon certificates OF
deposit to aid in refunding the national debt.
The sundry civil appropriation BIZ was then
passed. II sp~propriates SIG 1896, 0co.
Mr.. Monroe moved to pass the bill proVld-
ing for the payment of arrears Of pensions. 1t
provides that the act Ito authorize the issue
OF, certificates Of deposit in aid Of refunding
the public debt be 80 amended as to author-
ize the secretary of the treasurysto apply such