Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-12-11
THE XLYI CONRESS.


TUESDAY, Dec. q -endt6.-Senator
Gordon introduced a resolution pledging
the protection of the Un5ed States gov
eminent to any companywhich shall be
granted the right by he Nicaraguan
government to build slip canal across
the Isthmus. Three bis were intro
duced, one of them providing for the re
moval of the Utes to sone other reserva-
tion to be set aside in ole of the terri
tories Sen. Burnside nade a speech
upon the resolution intpduced by him
last session, reaffirming he Monroe doc
trine in relation to the proposed
inter-oceanic canal. Afer an executive
session, the senate adjourned.
TUESDAY, Dec. -H0Se.-Mr. Price
offered resolution decaring it inexpe-
dient to change the currency laws this
session. A joint resolution was intro
duced proposing a constitutional amend
ment providing that appropriation bills
shall contain nothing bu appropriations.
Several bills were Introduced, among
them being the following: To equalize
bounties; To remove tie Ute Indians
from Colorado; Relating to the crime of
bigamy. A resolution was introduced
proposing the following additional ar
ticle to the constitution: Congress, for
protection of trade and ndmanufactures, to
carry into effect international treaties;
shall have the power to grant, protect and
regulate exclusive right to trade marks
WEDNESDAY. Dec. G-Senate-Henry
z. Baldwin, SENATOR leGt from Michigan,
was sworn in. Bills were introduced,
among them the following: To author
ize the payment Of customs duties in le-
gal tender notes; to authorize the pur
chase of foreign built ships by citizens
of the United States or use in the for
elgn carrying trade. amr ,bRsf bR4frfrd fr6m intr0 II
after the passage of this resolution, treas
ury notes of the United States shall be
receivable for all dues to the United
States, excepting duties on imports, and
shall not be otherwise a legal tender;
and any of said notes hereafter re-issued
shall bear this inscription. Mr.. Ingalls,
offered resolution that, in the opinion
of the senate, the present volume of U. s.
notes should not be reduced, and that
said notes ought to continue to be a legal
tender in the payment Of debts.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3.-HouSe Ward,
of New York, introduced a bill author
iZing the secretary of the treasury to
cease refunding the public debt at per
cent.and ordering that no further portion
of the debt be funded at a greater than
80 per cent. Mr.. Weaver, Of Iowa, in
troduced bill providing that, as the
soldiers during the war were paid in de-
preciated money, they now be reim-
bursed with a sum sufficient to cover the
margin between the current price of
greenbacks at the time they were
paid and the price Of gold.
To enable the government to do this the
bill provides for issuing $500,O00000 in
U. S. notes. Finley introduced bill to
transfer the Indian bureau to the war de-
partment. Garfield introduced bill to
facilitate the refunding Of the national
debt. 1t provides that all existing pro-
visions of law, authorizing the refunding
of the national debt shall apply TO any
United States bonds, bearing higher
rate of interest than 4 per cent. which
may hereafter become redeemable, and
it authorizes the secretary of the treas
ury to exchange directly at par per
cent. bonds of the description author
ized by &C: of July Il, 1870, for any such
bonds
THURSDAY, Dec. 4-Senate-Mr. Car
penter offered a resolution, declaring
that the resumption and circulation of
gold, silver and greenbacks as the law
full money, and the expectation that the
finances would not be disturbed by pre-
cipitate legislation, had been followed by
revived industry and general prosperity; /;
that the successful conduct of business
depended on a stable financial policy,
and that in the opinion Of the senate,
any legislation during the present ses-
sion materially changing the existing
system of finance would be inexpedient
The vice president laid before the
senate communication from the Sec
retary of war, transmitting a letter from
Col. Gibbs, of the 7th infantry, calling
attention to the fact that citizen volun-
teers who participated in the battle of
Big Horn, have not been remunerated
for their services, and that no provision
has been made for the widows and
orphans of those who were killed there,
and recommending action on the matter.
Several bills were introduced, but none
of general importance. Adjourned until
Monday.
THURSDAY, Dec. -H0use.-Among
the bills introduced was one declaring
that congress is not only opposed to any
reduction in the volume of United States
legal tender notes. but also of silver dol
lars; also bill to return to the freedmen
of the south, their savings deposited in
the Freedmen's Saving and Trust COM
pany. Aresolution was offered directing
the judiciary committee to enquire into
the txpediency of a constitutional
amendment for the purpose of limiting
the time for the presentation of claims
against the United States, 10 six years
from the time the claim accrued Ad
joucned till Monday.
MONDAY, Dec. -House-Immedi-
ately after the reading of the journal,
Mr.. Clark announced the death of Mr..
Lay, stating that it was not his intention
now to speak, as the love he bore for his
ate colleague would prompt him, but at
some future time. He then offered res
olution of regret, which was adopted,
and the speaker appointed representatives
Clark, Morrison, Hill, Bingham, Chal-
mers, Calkins and Ryan committee to
arrange the funeral. Adjourned.