The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-03-24
CONGRESS-.

March Is. In the Senate Monday Mr. Con-
ger presented the joint resolution Of the legis
lature of Michigan urging members Of congress
to provide means for the extirpatiOn Of Nor
mOnism.
In the house the army appropriation bill, ap-
propriating 800 100000, was passsd. 1t con-
tains clause making the retirement at the
age Of ~ compulsory, and one transferring the
Lee raid claims from the war department to
the court of claims. The house committee on
woman suffrage was appointed.
March l5-In the Senate, the bill granting
right of way for railroad and telegraph liue
through the lands of the Choctaws and Chick
asaws to the st. Louis d San Francisco rail-
road, was reported and referred to calendar.
The bill on maiutaiwing an efficient levee sys-
TEN on the Mississippi river was discussed at
length. 1t directs the Mississippi river CON-
mission to cause the construction or repair Of
such levees along the banks OF the river as IL
shall deem OF greatest Importance, and makes
an appropriation Of $15,O00.000 for that pur.
pose, which is not to be increased. Referred
to committee on the Mississippi river.
Mr.. Rice, in the House, offered a resolution
directing the judiciary committee to inquire
whether the conviction Of Sergeant Mason, by
the military court, and subsequent proceedings
are In violation of the laws OF the United
States, and report their conclusions TO the
House. They have leave to send for persons
and papers. Mr.. Hi'cock reported back bill
,,oI;pr e,rthar apprnnvi ,tiopo 70 raI;aya tla
sufferers by the overflow Of the Mississippi.
Committee recommended the adoption OF the
amendments increasing appropriations to
$15O,0OO, authorizing the Secretary of War to
expepd such part Of IL as Is necessary for labor
in strengthening the levees
March 1.-THE PostOffice Appropriation bill
was taken up Ia Senate, the committee having
reported favOrably the bill apprOpriating g.
100000 for ten years, to be used by the Post
master General to subserve and promote the
postal and commercial interests of the United
States, by paying large sums to American
steamers built In the United States. The bill
Is to be offered as an amendment to tie Post
Office Appropriation bill. Mr.. Ed wards sub
miited an amendment which effectually re.
stores the ranking privilege to senators and
members Of the House. II was opposed by
Mr.. Ferry, who, with Mr.. COnger, voted agains
II, although 1t passed the Senate by vote of
40 to 10. Tue bill appropriating 100000 for
the relief Of the flooded districts was taken up
and passed with the House amendment, ia.
cressing the appropriation to $4,000.
The House discussed the right Of the Speaker
to censure or reprimand member, offering
that such right could only be properly exer-
cised under the authority and by the direction
OF the House, 10 which the Speaker concurred.
The Chinese bill was further discussed, and
MIR. Page, Of California, announced bis pur-
pose to call for the previous question the nrst
opportunity.
March l7.-Iu the Senate bills passed allow
ing Mr.. Butler $500 and Mr.. Kellogg $4,000
expenses for contesting their seats.
In the House Mr.. Page moved 10 dispense
with the regular order Of private bills and
continue the discussion of the Chinese bill
Defeated, 81 affirmative votes and 81 negative,
the necessary two-thirds not being obtained.
The House then took mp the private calendar
for the day. Bills providing for the erection
OF federal buildings at Concord, N. H., Angus.
Ia, Me-, Frankfort, KY, Jefferson CitA Mo-,
Montpelier, Vt, and Minneapolis, MIMI, were
passed. The postoffice appropriation bill was
called W in committee of the whole, and the
amendment authorizing the postmaster gener-