The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-31
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

Among the bills presented was one by MIR.
Beck, providing for the repeal of that section
OF the revised statutes which declares that no
ex-Confederate shall be appointed to the army
of the United States 49,. Messrs. Window and
Wythe were appointed the committee to attend
the next annual examination Of cadets at the
West Point military academy go. MIR. Blaine
proceeded to address the Senate upon his res
olution OF inquiry as to whether the constitu-
tional rights of citizens had not been violated
in the recent elections in any Of the States. Up
on the conclusion Of Mr.. Blaine's long speech
Mr.. Thurman took the floor and submitted an
amendment to the resolution. The amend
ment calls for an inquiry whether any citizen
Of any State has been dismissed, or threatened
with Dismissal, or deprived OF any rights or
privileges by reason of his vote at the recent
elections ; whether in 1878 money was raised
by assessment or otherwise from Federal Office
holders for election purposes, and to inquire
into the action Of United States supervisors Of
election in the several States. Mr.. Thurman
then replied to Mr.. Blaine, and was followed
by Mr.. Lamar Messrs. Edmunds and Blaine
taking part in the debate. After an executive
session the Senate adjourned.
The fertilization bill, aspassed in the House,
came up and was passed with two amendments
increasing the amount appropriated by $780,
900 go. The bill correcting an error made last
FShI Ill Lu0 IN llL4CA "a GAo ASe NF
preparation bill was passed.. The bill author
izing the public printer to print and bind paper
and documents for Senators and Representa-
tiyes at cost, with ten per cent. added, was
passed. -. Mr.. Burnside presented the report
Of the Joint select committee on the reorgan!-
zation OF the army, accompanied by q bill,
which was made the special order tor Jan: q
go. The military academy appropriation blll,
as passed by the House, WAS passed. with 3d.
700 added to the amount appropriated. Ad-
journed after an executive session. "a
The bill providing for the issue OF duplicate
bonds to the Manhattan bank Of New York, in
place Of those recently stolen, was reported
and passed 80. Mr.. Edmunds' bill to amend
the law relating to presidential elections, and
to regulate the counting Of the e%lectora! votes,
was discussed at considerable length, and
finally passed-thirty-fiv five to twenty-six.
Messrs. Bayard, Merrimon and Morgan, DEM
ocrats, voted with the Republicans. MIR.
Blaine then made an effort to have his election
fraud resolutions taken up, but the Senate re-
jeoted his motion and adjourned.
Mr.. Beck offered a resolution requiring the
secretary Of tho treasury to appear before the
Senate and explain why he had not replied to
the resolution of inquiry in regard to silver
received for customs dues, adopted December
8. In the course Of a debate on tie subject
Mr.. Beck said he wanted to know whether the
silver law had been enforced, and charged that
Secretary Sherman had increased the public
debt by selling bonds and boarding gold. Mr..
Morrill, said the senator's object was evidently
to embarrass specie resumption. The resolu-
ton went over. . Mr.. Blaine's resolution pro-
viding for an inquiryinto the Southern election
frauds was then taken up and discussed.
MI. Thurman's amendment was adopted
without opposition, but the proposition to make
the investigation an open one was defeated
twice, by 80 to 80 and by % to 20. Adjourned.
House.
After a short debate Mr.. Woods resolution,
ordering an investigation into The election acts
OF Commissioner John I. Davenport 10 Now
York, was adopted ....A bill was passed grant
ing twenty condemned cannon to aid in the
erection Of a monument to General George A.
Custer. Adjourned.
The bill issuing duplicate registered bonds in
place of those stolen from the Manhattan saw
ings bank, of New York, was passed 80. The
Senate amendments to the military academy
appropriation bills were non-copcurred in 49,:
Senator Edmunds' bill to regulate presidential
elections was taken from the speakers table
and referred to the committee on that subject.
Adjourned.
Among the bills introduced were the follow
ing Making United States notes receivable
for import duties for the exchange OF stand
ard dollars for trade dollars to maintain and
enforce the legal-tender quality Of the silver
dollar providing for the circulation OF ma
tional bank notes OF less than IS after re-
sumption the sam as before, etc.. la motion
to suspend the rules and pass the bill making
it a penal offense for Federal officers to inter
fere in congressional elections was defeated
1872 to 1O3. IA bill appropriating $3.50, 900 for
the maintenance Of the railway mail service
was reported. The House then proceeded to
consider District Of Columbia business, and
the bills fixing the rate Of interest on bonds
and for tho construction Of a bridge across the
Potomac river Yere passed. Adjourned.