The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-21
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
2Ana8A-

Upon the Opening OF Congress after the
holiday recess, a large number of petitions
upon various matters were presented in the
Senate, prominent among them being several
petitions of eX-s0ldiers, presented by MIR.
Logan, praying tor the equalization OF bountiea
MIR. Conkling presented petitions as follows:
One from a large number Of the citizens OF
New York State, formerly soldiers. remon-
strnting against the pnssage OF the bill provid.
ing for medical examinations and. the taking
OF testimony in pension cases; the petition of
lSnac j. Covert, and other citizens OF New
York, asking grant of land in Texas, tor the
purpose OF the cultivation OF tea md grnpes;
the memorial OF shipowncrs OF New York,
asking for the amendment Of the Inv relative
to tine seizure md 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
L.tlens. Ala, and the Senate adjourned rs
a mark Of respect TO the memory oi the
deceased.
Mr.. Buyard presented q petition from citi-
zens OF Delaware, praying for the passage OF
his resolution tor the abolition OF the compul-
sorry lcgal-tcnder power OF greenbacks, and
Mr.. Pendleton gave notice that he would pro-
pose IN amendment to Mr.. Bayard's bill, pro-
vidibg that groenbacks, if deprived OF their
lcgal.tender quality, shall not be available tor
any OF the reserves required to be kept by the
national banks.
MIR. Window introduced a resolution to con.
slider the expcdiency OF establishing an addi.
tional executive department OF the govern
ment, to be called tho department Of Agri.
culture and Commerce." and Mr.. Davis, Of
West Virginia, introduced a bill establishing
such a department.
Petitions OF ex.soldiers for the equalization
oil bounties and against the passage OF the bill
providing for medical examination and taking
OF testimony in pension cases have been pre-
scented by several Senators.
House.
As soon as the House had assembled, after
the holiday recess, n resolution directing the
committee on Indian alli.irs to investigate
and report upon the origin of the recent out
break of the Ute Indians Mt the White River
agency was passed. Mr.. Scales also reported
n resolution, which was adopted, calling on
the secretary OF the interior for copies of all
correspondence, since the 1st OF January,
1879, by y. c. Meeker, with the secretary OF
the interior or commissioner OF Indian affairs;
and copies oil NIL correspondence by Governor
Pitkin, Generals Hatch and Adams, and
Special Agent Pollock, with the interior de-
rartment, concerning the Ute Indians.
Mr.. Eorney announced the death OF Senator
Houston, OF Alabama, and the House imme-
diately adjourned, as a mark OF respect to de
ceased.
MIR. Coliroth has introduced a bill to regu-
late the payment OF arrears nnd accrued pom
sions OF deceased pensioners; also, amending
the act OF 1872, in regard TO the payment OF
bountics; also, calling on the postmaster.gen IN
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
mittee to inquire into the expediency OF
abolishing all ENJOYS extraordinary and min
listers resident OF the United States to foreign
countries, and to report as soon as possible.
air. Hill has introduced q bill to abolish the
court OF clains, and TO enlarge the jurisdiction
OF the circuit court OF the United States.
A bill hua been introduced by Mr.. Beltz.
hoover, prohibiting the sale of firearms to the
Indians.