The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1879-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

Mr.. ingalls, presented memorial of certain
ex-soldiers, who represent that they were
paid in a deprecated currency, and ask Con-
gress to pay the difference between the value
of greenlacks and gold at the time of their
payment, with six per cent interest, COM
pounded annually. Referred to the commit
tee on military affairs :. Mr.. Bayard, from
the committee on finance, reported back the
Senate bill for the interchange of subsidiary
silver coins OF the United States, and asked
for its indefinite postponement. So ordered.
Also the Senate bill to authorize the secretary
of the treasury to issue $4,000, 900 of four
per cent. bonds for payment of arrears of PEN
sions, and asked for its indefinite postpone
ment. Soordered !. On motion OF Mr. Davis
the Senate took up the resolution, heretofore
submitted by him, calling on the secretary OF
the treasury for tabular statement, by States,
of the amount paid since 1866 by the govern
ment on account OF claims growing out of the
late war. At the suggestion of Mr.. Edmunds
the resolution was amended SO as to read
"private claims" and after further discussion
it went over, the Senate going into executive
session-during which Secretary McCrary's
nomination as United States circuit Judge for
the eighth circuit was confrmed-and then
adjourning.
Mr.. Conkling presented petition of large
number OF citizens of New York, formerly
soldiers, praying Tor the passage of the equal-
zation of bounties bill. Mr.. Conkling also
presented bill to prevent the dumping Of gar
bage in New York harbor or any OF the adj
Joining waters within five miles of Coney
Island. -. Mr.. Morrill, offered a resolution
calling on the secretary of the treasury for
information touching the effect upon the rev.
enue OF the United States of the act of May l,
1872, repeating the duty on tea and coffee, and
also it's effect upon the cost of said articles to
consumers thereof Adopted. I. MIR. Cock
rell offered a resolution that the committee on
claims be instructed to consider the expedi-
ency OF establishing a permanent tribunal
which shall have Jurisdiction OF the matters
ordinarily referred to said committee, and to
report by bill or otherwise. Adopted. The
Senate resumed consideration of the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Davis, OF West Virginia,
calling on the secretary of the treasury for
statement of the amounts paid out OF the treas
ury since 1864 on private claims growing out of
the late war. Mr.. Davis accepted an amend
ment by Mr.. Edmunds that the statement be
made to extend back to March 4, 1861 Mr..
Morrill, moved to add to the resolution the
following: "And also a like statement of all
such claims which have been presented to,
and rejected by the treasury department, and
also which may now be pending therein. i"
Rejected by strict party vote, the tirst OF the
session. 80 The House resolution to adjourn
from December 10 to January was passed
by vote of 36 to 81 Mr.. Morrill, offered
resolution calling on the secretary of the treas
ury Tor tabulated statement, showing by
States, the total amount of claims growing
out OF the late warpresented to and rejected by
the treasury department from March f. 1861,
to March 4, 1879, and also of all like claims
now pending. Laid over under the rules.
Adjourned -
A memorial of William B. Whiting. com.
modore of the United States navy, proposing
the establishment of q coniederacy of all the
governments upon this. continent was nre.
scented by Mr.. Withers by request. Referred
to the committee on the judiciary IA bill
making an appropriation of 100000 for the
erection of military posts on or near the Rio
Giande frontier was passed. -. Mr.. Allison,
from the committee on Indian affairs, reported
with amendments Senate joint resolution No,
81, authorizing the secretary of the interior,
through a commission OF five persons, to be
appointed by the President, to negotiate for
the removal OF the Ute Indians from Colorado,
Mr.. Allison said that owing to the importance
OF the matter, and the -fact-.that some of the
Ute Indians will be in Washington during the
holiday recess OF Congress, he hoped the reso.
luton would be acted upon at once. Mr..
Cockrel objected to the present consideration
OF the resolution, but aiterward withdrew his
objection and submitted an amendment pro-
vidlng that the Indians shall be removed =" to
some suitable place not in the Indian Terri
tory" The amendment was agreed 10, and
the resolution as thus amended was then
passed Adjourned. after an executive session.
House.
Mr.. Pound introduced a Joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the Constitution
providing that after March 4, 1885, the Presi-
dent and Vice. President shall hold their Offices
for six years, and shall be ineligible for more
than one term consecutively; and that mem
hers OF Congress shall serve TOR term Of
three years. Referred -. Bills were intro
duced: By Mr.. Kelly-Proposing a constitu-
tional amendment prohibiting general legisla-
ton on appropriation bills, and allowing the
veto of any one or more OF the items in such
bills. By Mr.. Chalmers-D efining ths mean
ing of the word " dollar (This bill declares
that the debts of the government are repre-
scented by promises to pay in dollars, and taat
any change in the meaning of the word IDOL
lar" which increases the debt after it is con-
tracted is a fraud upon the taxpayers It
therefore declares that the old definition OF
the dollar, made in grains OF silver by the
statutes Of 1892 and 1884. is restored, and that
the act of 1873, defining the dollar as so many
grains in gold, is repeatedly By Mr.. Hurd-
Declaring that after January l, 1881, nothing
but gold and silver coin of the United States
shall be LEGAL tender in payment OF debts
thereafter contracted, unless otherwise OK
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