The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-16
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
6ENATE.

The second session Of the forty-si1th Con-
gress assembled on the 9Th inst In the Senate
the gallaries were well filled sometime before
noon at which hour the Senators were called to
order, and prayer was offered by Chaplain Bull
lock.
James L. Pugh, successor Of George s. Hous
ton, of Alabama. and Joseph Z. Brown, who
succeeds General Gordon, of Georgia, took the
oath of Office.
The credentials Of Senator Edmunds, re-
elected his own successor, were read. The an
nual report of the Secretary of the Senate was
ordered printed. Also a communication from
the Attorney General explaining the methods OF
distributing appropriations for that depart
ment. The Vice-Presidcnt was proceeding to
lay other communications before the Senate,
when Mr.. Thurman suggested that it would be
more orderly to wait for notification that the
House was in session, and he offered q resolu-
ton, which was agreed to, directing the Secre-
tary of the Senate to inform the House of the
readiness of the Senate for business. A COM
mittee was appointed to inform the President
that the Senate was ready for business, and
recess was taken till 12:45. The committee not
being ready to report at that hour, further
recess was taken till 1;30. Soon after reas-
sembling, Private Secretary W. K Rogers ap-
peared and delivered the message Of the Presi-
dent and it was read.
The reading Of the Message WAS concluded at
s o'clock, and it was ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. Wallace, the Senate ad-
journed.
IN the Senate, bills and resolutions were in
troduced. The most important was bill by
Senator Mcdonald, of Indiana, providing that
greenbacks shall be taxed in States where per.
sonal property is assessed, the same as gold and
silver, national bank notes, or any other form
of currency.
Mr.. Morgan introduced joint resolution,
proposing an amendment to the Constitution,
giving Congress- authority to regulate the count
Of the electoral vote The resolution was re-
ferred to the Select Committee on Election OF
President. Mr.. Teller introduced bill to pro-
vide certain regulations concerning the manner
of conducting the elections of Representatives
to Congress, and to punish violations thereof.
The Vice President submitted a communication
from the Secretary of War, recommending
the action of Congress upon the estimate OF
the Mississippi River Improvement Com
mission of 50, 1873, 900 for certain initial works.
Mr.. Paddock introduced bill to enable the
people Of Dakota to form o Constitution and
State Government, and for admission of that
State into the Union on an equality with the
original States. Mr.. Randolph gave notice OF
the following amendment in the nature of Z
substitute to the bill for the relief of Fitz.
John Porter: s'Be it enacted, &C., that tn,
President is hereby authorized in his discretion
to renstate to the army Fitz-John Porter, who
was dismissed by the sentence OF court martial
January 10, 1868, provided, however, that such
reinstatement shall give no higher than Colone
on the retired list, and provided further that
said Porter shall receive no pay, compensation
or allowances for the time intervening between
his dismissal and his restoration"
The Presidents recommendation as to Civil
| Service reform was referred a select committee.