The Newtown bee., 1879-03-04
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

revenue bill, the amendments imposing 6 tax on tea and coffee were rejected. The time when the bill shall go into effect was fixed as May 1, instead of April 1, and the section re- pealing the tax on matches WAS stricken out. Some minor amendments were adopted, after which the bill was passed-yeas, forty-hve; ton bill was then taken up, and informally laid aside. The remainder of the session was de- voted to memorial services in honor of the late Representatives Schleicher and Quinn.
 The bill to fix the pay of letter-carriers, which passed the House last June, was passed
 without amendment. The bill authorizes the postmaster-general to establish two classes Of letter-carriers in all cities containing popula- | tion of 75,000 and upward. The salary of carriers of the first class, who have been in service one year, is fixed at $1 ,000 per annum,
 and of the second class at $500. In cities con taining less than 75,000 inhabitants, one class | of carriers Is established at an annual salary | of $850. The postmaster general is author zed to establish third grade of carriers, to be known as anxiiaries at an annual salary of | $400. Adjourned, after an executive session. The army appropriation bill was reported 10 the Senate with amendments. Subsequently,
 when the Burnside reorganization bill was | reached on the calendar, objection was made | to it's consideration and it was laid aside Mir. Shields addressed the Senate in favor Of | placing the names of survivors of the Mexican war on the pension rolls, after which the con i sideration of the postoffice appropriation bill
 
 | Brazilian subsidy clause were offered and re- | jected, 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 protracted debate, the subsidy amendment was adopted by vote of 23 to IT, 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 ! 1ln+s,~ .tnkt of animals was passed. It provides that ani- mals shall not be kept in cars more 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 all live animals designed for exportation and certify as to their healthy condition. Ad- journed.
 communication was received from the sec- retary of the treasury in regard to the exporta- ton Of cattle, and suggesting legislation to prevent the shipment of diseased animals Hon. Zachariah Chandler, the newly-elect- ed Senator from Michigan, was sworn in and took his seat. The consideration of the army appropriation bill was resumed, the question being on the amendment striking out the re- organization sections, which was agreed to- yeas 45 nays IS. The House provision for bidding the use of troops at elections was also stricken out by 8 strict party vote - yeas 34 nays 3O Various other clauses of the House bill were stricken out. When the provision authorizing railroad companies to do tele- graph business was reached, MT. Howe off, fered an amendment requiring railroad con- panies desiring to do telegraph business to accept the restrictions imposed on telegraph companies, one of which is that their lines may be purchased by the government at an ap- praised. valuation. This gave rise to a debate, pending which the Senate went into executive session and then adjourned.
 oaacY1tinO RAnnntf'S 0- 1 nette for Arctic explorations and that amend l ing the Freedmens savings bank charter were passed without discussion. :. The Senate re- sumed the consideration of the army appro- priation bill. After considerable discussion, | Mir. HoWe's amendment, making railroad com
 panies doing telegraph business liable to the I same restrictions as telegraph companies, was
 adopted. Mir. 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 yellow | fever bill was then taken up and several amendments were adopted. During the evening
 several attempts were made to obtain quorum
 and at midnight the sergeant-at arms wat | instructed to request absent Senators to attend An hour later he reported, but as only two ol I three additional members appeared he was in 1 structed to compel the attendance of ths l absentees. This is said to be the first time
 such an order has been made.
 l House.
 Mir. Cox. of Now York; explained the pro visions of the bill ordering national census in 1880 A debate occurred on the provision authorizing the governors of States to appoip the enumerators. Several amendments chang ing this were voted down. Without final ac ton, the House took a recess till 2 30 F. M.. At the evening session the consideration of tn legislative appropriation bill was resumed Adjourned.
 Il committee of tha whole the amendment t tLo legislative appropriation bill fixing the pa
 Jy them, and repeating the statutes in regard t | the jurors test oath, was agreed to by 127 t
 s5.. An exciting debate then ensued upon Mr Southard'S amendment repeating the sectlol
 which authorizes the appointment of super
 visors of election but without taking actio
 the House adjourned.
 'l The Florida contested election case of Finle
 against Bisbee was called up, and the ma
 jority report in favor of Finley was adopte
 by 131 to 122, and Mir. Finley was sworn in.. :
 In the evening memorial services in honor c
 the late Representatives Welsh and William
 were held. Adjourned.
 Mr. Whitthorne, chairman of the committe
 on naval affaira reported back the bill author
 izing the secretary of the navy to accept, 10
 tho purpose of Polar exploration by way Q
 Behring straits, the ship Jeannette, tendere
 by Mr. James G. Bennett. Passed. Tn : bill for the relief of John T. Armstrong, (
 Virginia, on account of wharf property occupie
 by the United States army in Alexandria, dul ] ing the war, waa defeated, as were several othe
 bills providing for the payment of war claiml
 Adjourned.
 The committee on expenditures in the Stat department presented report ordering a wal rant to be issued for the arrest of Ministe George F. Seward for contempt as contl { macious witness. On motion the businef 1 on the speakers table was proceeded witt
 The second bill was the House bill for the It peal of the resumption act. as amended by th { Senate, providing that after the passage Q this sct United States notes shall be receiv' ble the same as coin in tho payment Of fou , per cent. bonds, which are authorized by la l to be assued, and aft6E October I. 1879, the shall be receivable for duties on import Mr Ewing, ok 0hio, sctin8 under authority {