Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-01-16
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate

Upon the opening of Congress after the
holiday recess, large number of petitions
upon various matters were present. in the
Senate, prominent among them being several
petitions of ex-soldiers, presented by Mr.
Logan, praying torthe equalization of hounties
MIR. Conkling presented petitions as follows:
One from large number of the citizens OF
New York State formerly soldiers, remon-
strating against the passage OF the bill provid-
ing Tor medical examinations and the taking
OF testimony in pension cases; the petition of
Isaac j. Covert, and other citizens of New
York, asking grant of land in Texas, for the
purpose OF tho cultivation OF tea and grapes;
the memorial OF sbipowners of New York,
asking tor the amendment OF the law relative
TO the seizure and forfeiture of vessels Tor a
breach of revenue laws; the memorial OF
underwriters of New York city, asking an
appropriation for the removal OF distinctions
in New York harbor.
Mr. Morgan announced the death of his
colleague, the Hon. George S. Houston, on
the last day OF the year at his home in
Athens, Ala, and the Senate adjourned as
a mark of respect TO the memory OF the
deceased.
Mr.. Bayard presented q petition from citi-
Zens OF Delaware, praying tor the passage OF
his resolution Tor the abolition of the compul-
sorry legal-tender power OF greenbacks, and
Mr.. PendletOn gave notice that he would pro-
pose an amendment to Mr.. Bayard's bill, pro-
vidhg that greenbacks, if deprived OF their
legal tender quality, shall not be available for
any OF the reserves required to be kept by the
national banks.
Mr.. Window introduced resolution to con.
slider the expediency OF establishing an addi-
uonal executive department OF the govern
ment, to be called tho " Department of Agri-
culture and Commerce." and MIR, Davis. OF
West Virginia, introduced bill establishing
such department.
Petitions OF ex-soldiers for the equalization
OF bounties and against the passage OF the bill
providing Tor medical examination and taking
OF testimony in pension cases have been pre-
scented by several Senators.
Mr.. Wallace presented petition OF Drexel
n Co., and others, of Pennsylvania, for the
withdrawal Of the legal-tender quality Of
treasury notes. He said that the petition
represented leading commercial, banking and
shipping interests OF Pennsylvania.
MIR. Window, from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported the military academy
appropriation bill, with an amendment in
creasing the amount for a new hospital from
| $4,000 to $2l, 6l8. Placed on the calendar.
| Mr.. Ferry presented petition OF $40 cti-
zens for the issue OF $346, ZOO, 900 in legal
tenders, when their cOnstitutionality shall
| nave Deen decided.
AS soon as the House had assembled, after
| the holiday recess, resolution directing the
committee on Indian affairs to investisate
and report upon the origin of the recent out
break of the Ute Indians at the White River
agency was passed. Mr.. Scales also reported
a resolution, which was adopted, calling on
the secretary OF the interior for copies of all
civ In of Oh
1872 by N. G. Meeker, with the secretary Of
theinterior or commissioner OF Indian affairs
and copies OF all correspondence by Governor
| Pitkin, Generals Hatch and Adams and
| Special Agent Pollock with the interior de-
rartment, concerning the Ute Indians.
Mr.. Forney announced the death OF Senator
Houston, OF Alabama, and the House imme-
diately adjourned, as mark OF respect to de
ceased.
Mr.. Coffroth has introduced bill to regu.
late the payment OF arrears and accrued pen.
sions of deceased pensioners; also, amending
the act of 1872, in regard to the payment OF
bounties; also, calling on the postmaster. gen.
eral Tor his reasons Tor not complying with
the law requiring him to furnish a double
postal card.
A resolution has been introduced by Mr.
Townshend, directing the foreign affairs com.
mlttee to inquire into the expediency Of
apollsnlng all ENJOYS extraordinary and min.
listers resident OF the United States to foreign
countries, and to report as soon as possible.
Mr.. Hill has introduced bill TO abolish the
court oiclaims, and to enlarge the jurisdiction
OF the circuit court OF the United States.
A bill has been introduced by Mr.. Beltz
hoover, prohibiting the sale of firearms to tn,
Indians.
Mr.. Arm6eld from the committee on
mines and mining, reported bill concerning
locations OF mineral lands 1t provides that
under certain conditions, any person may
locate a mining claim in Colorado by marking
its boundaries with at least six substantial
stakes, and beginning work within ten day
thereafter. Referred.
Mr.. Prescott presented a communication
from the Hon. lIoratio Sey mour, asking for tn
passage OF bill for tho erection OF monu
nent to General Herkimer. Referred,