Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-12-16
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
MONDAY, DEC. s, 1880.

SENATE.-Forty-eights senator's or nearly two
thirds Of the entire body, were in their seats at
noon The vice president called the senate to
order, and the chaplain offered prayer appro-
pirate to the occasion. Mr.. Brown of Georgia
and Mr.. Pugh of Alabama were sworn in to fill
existing vacancies. Nothing beyond necessary
routine business was then transacted, until the
arrival of the presidents private secretary with
the senate adjourned Senator Grover of Ore
gon, of whose bad health there has been so
much said lately, was present all day.
HousE-At exactly noon, the Speaker called
the House to order. Number of Members
present 227. Ike members from both sides
commingled freely and all seemed in the best of
humor. Alexander Stephens rolled around in
his easy chair, and received the congratulations
of members upon his improved health. Gar
fields vacant chair and desk was appropriated
by Page, of California. The Presidents mes
sage was received about l 80. Bills and reso-
lutions were presented from different States, re-
lating to the tariff; for the temporary increase
of the Supreme Court Justices; by Mr.. Con-
verse, fixing the salary of the President at
$25, 900 per annum, payable monthly; by Mr..
Ward, appropriating 800, ,OOOfor monument
to Gen. Layfette to be erected on the site of the
battle of Brandywine. After the announcement
of the death Of Representative Farr, of New
Hampshire, the House adjourned.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER z.
SENATK.-Bills and resolutions were intro
duced to authorize the local taxation of legal
tender treasury notes; to amend the Ute bill.
Senator Ingalls, introduced bill providing for
the issue of not over $40, ZOO, 600 fractional
currency, of the denominations of ten, twenty
five and fifty cents. There is very general
impression among congressman that the people
would like little of this kind of currency for
use in the mails.
HoUsE-A resolution was adopted directing
"a of ho MT M inf %bo
house under what authority Douglas, the Ute
chief, and companions were confined in mil
ltary prison, and what steps, if any, have been
taken to bring them to trial for killing Indian
Agent Meeker. After long debate, the speaker
decided that joint resolution presented ques-
ton of privilege. Mr.. Bicknen called for the
previous question on the electoral count resolu-
ton, when the republicans filibustered, wishing
for an extended debate. The discussion was
mainly on the old question of the right of the
president of the senate to count the electoral
vote, and at last Mr. Bickneu was prevailed
upon to withdraw his demand No action was
taken.
WEDNESDAY DEC 8, 1880.
SENATE-Senator Herman introduced bill
In the Senate to-day directing the commissioner
of internal revenue to refund all taxes collected
upon THE capital employed by persons in the
business of banking" which come within the
States supreme court in the case of
Bailey, collector vs.. Clark and others.
MIR. Morgan introduced joint resolution re-
garding the count of electoral votes. Bills were
introduced for improvements in the channel of
the Missouri river; to provide certain regula-
1ons concerning the election of members of
congress, and to punish violations thereof; for
the admission Of Dakota as a State. A COM
munication was presented from the secretary of
war recommending action upon the estimate of
the Mississippi river commission of 1888, 900
for certain initial works of improvement
HoUsE.-A joint resolution was introduced
by Mr.. McCook authorizing the president to
place Gen. Grant on the retired list with the
rank and pay as general MIR. Buckner intro
duced substitute for the Wood funding bill,
providing, among other things, for the issue of
notes to the amount of gilmore than $780,
900, bearing rate of interest not exceeding
four per cent, and that 800, 600, 900 in coin
in the treasury to be set apart for the redemption
of legal tender notes A long debate ensued on
the subject of counting electoral votes
THURSDAY DEC. 9, 1880.
SENATE:-A joint resolution was presented
by Mr. Pendleton to obtain the privalege of
opening road and highway from the Canada
line of the United States and British America
through British Columbia to Fort Wrangel and
Sitka, Alaska. Senator Withers introduced a
to settle pension claims 1t is understood to
have been drawn by Mr.. Loreston, special
agent of the pension bureau. 1t is q very vol
luminous document, and, if passed, would con-
| fer extraordinary powers upon the commits
sioner of pensions
HoUsE:-The fertilization appropriation bill,
calling for $15O,O00, was reported. Bills
were introduced repeating the tax on bank
| checks, patent medicines, friction matches,
bank capital and bank deposits, and amending
the law regarding the bank capital The cleo
toral count resolution was again debated, at
considerable length, Mr.. Lapham of New York
claiming that the e-president had the right
by the fiat of the constitution to count the cleo
toral votes and congress had nothing to do with
| it except as witnesses. He arraigned the Dem
ocratic party severely, saying that he believed
this attempt to fix by mere rule what was deter
| mined by the constitution, and at time when
| it would honestly benefit no one had some hid
den and Interior motive
FRIDAY, DEc. 10, 1880
SENATE:-Not in session.
HoUsE:-The pension appropriation bill was
reported. 1t appropriates SIS, 400, 900 for
the payment of army: 81, 1O0, 900 for the pay
ment of navy pensions; $3.50, 900 for the pay
| ment of fees to examining surgeons; and $25,
| 600 for the payment of salaries, etc. A bill
was reported back allowing marshals and depu-
| ties to take bonds in certain cases. Mr.. Shelby,
from the committee on postofices and post
roads, reported to the house to-day his bill pro-
steamers between ports of the United States
and South American, Central American, Mexi-
can and trans-Pacific ports. The House re-
fused to take up the electoral bill and adiourne
until Monday.
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