New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

l23 yeas to IA nays, nearly party vote; the
Senate March 2. by 80 yeas (all Republican, to
y NAYS % Republicans 10 Democrats. LiberaD.
A strong effort was made at this session TO
enact law ito equalize bountes." bill intro,
duced and pressed by Mr.. Gunckel (Rep.. Ohio)
made sufficient progress to pass botn houses;
1t provided that every honorably discharged
Union veteran should receive a bounty of IS So
per month for his whole term of service, or, II
be desired in cases where at least SlOO was due
the veteran, a warrant for 100 acres OF public
land Such payments of United States bounty as
he had already received were to be deducted from
the amount due him under this bill 1t was es-
timated that close upon S'O.OOo,OO0 would sat
isfy all claims under the bill The House passed
this measure February Is. 1870 by ] d yeas to
40 nays. all the Republicans in the al
firmatve. and nearly all Representative Demo
Gratis against it. In the Senate it passed on
March 3 the last day OF the session. by 81 yeas
co Republicans, / LheraD to 80 nays 90 Re-
publicans IS Democrats) the Republican Vice
President casting the deciding vote IN It's FAVOR.
II was hurriedly engrossed and signed in the
press OF business. but reached the President 100
hate for his signature
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE
The XLIvth Congress met for its first session
December 6. 1875. adjourning August 10, 1876.
Its roll:
senate-Republicans. AZ: Democrats. 20: indie
pendents .: vacancy, l. Total. "a.
House-Alichael c. Kerr (Dem.) Of Indiana,
Speaker. Republicans. 1OS: Democrats 16S Lib
erals and Independents. IA; vacancies. - Total
In this Congress- for the first time in fifteen
years. a majority Of the members Of the House
Of Representatives were Democrats The major.
ny was large one. The Democrats accordingly
elected a Speaker, organized the House and were
the masters Of the legislation in that body. This
fAct would have been a shock to business
throughout the United States had 1t not been
that the Senate remained Republican. although
By a reduced majority. The President was also
Republican.
President Grants annual Message contained.
- usual. various public spirited recommends
tons. He advised compulsory education; pro-
motion of the common school systems OF the
States the taxation Of the real estate OF re-
ugious bodies; legislation to ensure specie pay
ments: redemption Of $2.OOO,OOO legal tenders
. month in long time 3.65 bonds; duty on
tea and coffee; prohibitation OF the payment OF
public money to sectarian schools. and the ex-
ciusion Of cable companies from the rignt 10
land on these shores unless the countries at the
other end of the lines freely gave American
citizens the right to land there.
DEMOCRATS RAMPANT
This was famous Congress, and its proceed
ings were attended with many stormy and ORA
matte scenes. The Democratic party made iH-
mediate use of its newly acquired power IN the
House to begin a campaign Tor the reversal VI
important Republican legislation ana 1or e~-
tended Investigations into the expenditures anu
conduct of the different Executive departments
and the honesty of their officials. So far as the
investigations were concerned, this part OF the
work of the Democrats in Congress was pro-
ductive of nothing except good. 1t revealed the
general honesty, efficiency and fidelity Of the
Republican administrations. 1t did, indeeo'
show that General Grant the Republican party
and the country had been badly served by
few Of General Grants subordnates, and that
these men were corrupt and dishonest. But
the Republicans in Congress welcomed heartily
every exposure and the Administration prose-
eute1 offenders with vigor.
ASSAULTS ON MR.. BLAINE.
An especial attack was made at this session
upon James G. Blaine. OF Maine, the brilliant
leader Of the Republicans OF the House. whose
popularity even at that time was so great that
he was considered as one OF the most available
men in the country for the Presidential nomna-
don Of 1876 A rumor having gained crcula-
ton that a committee which was investigating
the affairs OF the Union Pacific Railroad be-
neved that It had discovered proof that Mr.
Blaine had in 1869 received $64OOo from that
railroad. for which no consideration had been
pao Inc money being In payment VI sei''ceS
which. it was charged Mr.. Blaine had rendered
in Congress- Mr.. Blaine demanded an investiga-
ton Three and half years before. when 1t
had been charged that Mr.. Blaine had been In
terested in the Credit MObilier, Mr.. Blaine had
himself moved for investigation OF the
charges The full proof Of his entire Innocence
was obtained by the committee within thirty
hours, but report thereon was delayed and II
was seventy days before Mr. Blaine secured
report on the case. Resolved not to let his repu-