The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-10
ILVIth CONGRESS THIRD SESSION.
SENATE.

A resolution was adopted, without dissent,
instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire
and report its opinion touching the constitu-
tional legality of the voter of any Electoral
College given for President and Vice President
Of the United States on the day for the casting
Of the Electors in all the States.
Bills were introduced to amend the law relat-
ing to the judiciary in the Territories, authoriz
ing the Secretary of War to contract for the
legal right to make and use metallic cartridges,
and appropriating $3.50, 900 for Port Oxford
Harbor, Oregon.
The credentials of James 2. Gorge, the sue
cessor Of Senator Bruce, were present.
Mr.. Ingalls, Electoral count resolution was
referred to the Committee ON Electoral Count.
Abill confirming to Chicago the title to public
grounds in Dearborn Reservation was passed.
The Indian land in severalty bill was amended
so as to allow the purchase by the government
Of small parcels of reservations not allotted, to
authorize the education of fifty Indian boys at
the Fort Collins Agricultural College, IN
primary branches and in agriculture and irriga-
ton, to apply the laws of Kansas in regard to
descent, alienation, distribution as far as
practicable, and to add to agricultural lands set
apart for the head Of the family one section for
grazing purposes.
Mr. Baldwin, of Michigan, took his seat
A long discussion took place over the Ponca
Commission.
The Indian land in severalty bill was dis
ments.
A bill providing for the preparation of q
vessel to be used in the search for the jean
nette Arctic explorers was referred
The Ingalls, resolution on the Electoral count,
with o substitute in the shape of a concurring
resolution, fixing noon, February 9, for the
count, and providing for any case in which the
votes of the Electors may have been given on a
day other than that fixed by act Of Congress,
was tabled to be printed.
A long discussion took place over the Ponca
question between Mr.. Kirkwood and Nj. Dawes.
Mr.. Logan gave notice of his intention to
call up the bill to place General Grant ON the
retired list of the army.
The Pension Appropriation bill was taken up
in Committee Of the Whole, and the amend
ments of the Senate Committee were agreed to.
They restrict the fee of the surgeon for exami-
nation to 81, and provide that pensions payable
to the inmates of the National Home for Disa-
bled Volunteer Soldiers shall be paid to the
Treasurer of the Home instead Of directly to
the pensioner.
Papers were received from the Executive De-
partment in regard to the Ponca and Ute COM
missions.
The committee on the Yorktown celebration
reported favorably for the purchase of George
Washington's sword.
The Electoral count resolutions were taken
up. An amendment by Mr.. Edmunds for as
sembling the two Houses in the Senate cham
Der instead Of the House was lost. A long dis
eussion followed on the merits Of the resolu-
tion, which was finally adopted.
Mr.. Logan's joint resolution for the extern
sion of the franking privilege to communica-
dons received by members of Congress from
the Executive Department or business con-
stituents was reported without Recommendation,
the Postoffice Committee being equally divided
on the merits of the proposition.
Mr.. Morgan called up his concurrent resolu-
ton introduced June Is, 1880, declaring the
President of the Senate not invested by the
Constitution with the right to count the vote
of the Electors for President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States so as to determine
what votes shall be received and counted, or
what votes shall be rejected. A long debate
followed, terminating without action.