Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1878 — FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.

Monday, Jan. 14.—Senate. —Mr. Edmunds submitted a long amendment to the preamble of the resolution introduced by Mr. Matthews before the receas, declaring the right of the Government to pay its bonds in silver, etc. The amendment sets forth that the silver dollar of the United States had been long obsolete when the existing loans of the United States were authorized ; that gold coin had been the only lawful coin, and that Congress should not legislate to make money at the expense of its creditors; that it was the highest obligation of the United State* to pay its debts in such coin a* its creditors they wohßd be paid in, and that it would be unjust to compel them, or laboring men either, to receive silver dollars or any debased money. Laid on the table and ordered printed.... A large number of petitions, resolutions and bills were introduced and referred, among them the following : By Mr. Mitchell, a resolution instructing the Committee on Indian Affairs to inquire into the propristy of setting apart four large reservations for all the Indians of the country, and that the lands now occupied by them be open to settlement; by Mr. Thurman, a resolution instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire whether any, and if any what, legislation iB necessary or expedient to increase the annual appropriation for arming and equipping the militia of the States and Territories to correspond with the increase in population since the passage of the act of 1808, such increase to take immediate effect.. . Mr. Bailey then made a set speech upon the Matthews silver resolution, after which the Senate went into executive session. On reopening the doors the Senate adjourned. House.—Under the call of States, bills were introduced and referred, fixing rates to be paid for public advertising ; providing for a commission on the subject of the alcoholic traffic; amending the revenue laws; increasing the special tax on wholesale liquor-dealers; increasing the tax on distilled liquors ; repealing the law imposing a tax on friction matches, and repealing the law requiring stamps on bank checks; for the removal of the tax on deposits with State and national institutions and trust companies; restoring to either House of Congress the power to punish for contempt; to enable the Secretary of the Interior to make a final settlement with the Pottawotomie Indians; forbidding Territories to incur indebtedness in aid of railroads or other private corporations; to prevent the overloading of vessels carrying freight and pasoongers; to assign certain credits to the sinking fund, and to make their equivalent available for the redemption of United States notes; providing for the purchase of tho best movable torpedo; authorizing the purchase of gold dust and gold and silver bullion at the mint at Denver and payment therefor by draft.... A resolution, by Mr. Kelley, giving the session on Saturday, the 19th, to the woman-suffrage delegation for the presentation of petitions was rejected by 107 to 140.... After Borne other unimportant business the House adjourned. Tuesday, Jan. 15.—Senate.—A number of bills were introduced and referred. Among them were the following: By Mr. Dorsey, to authorize the payment of fees of counsel for the defense of poor persons in the courts of tho United States ; by Mr. Davis, to promote immigration to the United States, and for the protection of immigrants; by Mr. Winelom, for the restoration of wages in tho Government printing offices.... Mr. Christiancy presented a resolution of the State Grange of Michigan, in favor of the construction of a ship canal across the lower peninsula of Michigan. Referred. .... At the expiration of the morning hour, the resolution of Mr. Matthews in regard to the payment of bonds in silver was taken up as unfinished business, and then laid aside informally, in order that Mr. Voorhees might address the Senate on a resolution submitted by him before the holidays, declaring it of the highest importance that the financial credit of the Government be maintained. In order to be so, the Government itself, in all its departments, should, in good faith, keep all its contracts and obligations entered into with its own citizens. Mr. Matthews, in expressing his willingness to have his resolution laid aside for the present, gave notice that he would ask the Senate to vote it on Monday next. Mr. Voorhees then addressed the Senate upon the resolution submitted by him.... After the conclusion of his remarks the Senato adjourned. House.—The following bills were introduced and referred : • By Mr. Dunnell, to declare jurisdiction of the United Stales over harbors and navigable waters of the United States; by Mr. Blair, for the reduction of postage; by Mr. Springer, to prevent the farther contraction of the currency... .The House then went into committee of the whole on the state of the Union, and discussed the silver question.... The committee rose and the House adjourned. Wednesday, Jan. 16.—Senate.—At 12:30 a vote was taken on the pending question, to refer the resolution of Mr. Matthews, in regard to paying bonds in silver, to the Committee on the Judiciary, and it was rejected—yeas, 19; nays, 31.;..After some discussion, further consideration of the Matthews resolution was, by unanimous consent, postponed until Friday next, at 1 o’clock, to-day being assigned for eulogies upon the late Senator 80gy.... At the expiration of the morning hour business was suspended, and Mr. Cockrell formally announced tho death of the late Senator Bogy, of Missouri, and eulogiums were made by Senators Cockrell, Maxey, Christiancy, Johnson, Kernan, Merrimon, Sargent aud Armstrong. The Senate then adjourned as a mark of respect to the memory of the Senator. House. —A gift to tho Government of Carpenter’s painting of “ The First Beading of the Emancipation Proclamation ” was received and accepted.... The Judiciary Committee, reported bills to provide for stamping unstamped documents, aud making persons charged with crime competent witnesses in United States courts.... The House went into committ.ie of. the whole and passed some internal-im-provement bi 115.... The committee rose and the House adjourned. Thursday, Jan. 17.—Senate,—Bills were introduced aud referred as follows: By Mr. Howe, to punish the forcible obstruction of interstate commerce by railways; by Mr. Ferry, providing for the classification of mail matter and rates of postage thereon.... Mr. Wadleigh said that the family of the late Senator Morton found among his papers his views as a member of the special committee in regard to Chinese immigration, and he now presented Buch views, and moved that they be printed. So ordered. ... .After the morning business had been disposed of Mr. McDonald submitted resolutions of respect to the memory of the late Senator Morton. Eulogies were pronounced by Messrs. McDonald, Thurman, Conkling, Morgan, Bruce, Voorhees, Edmunds, Burnside, Booth, Anthony, Wadleigh and Paddock. The Senate, then, as a further mark of respect, adjourned. House. —Bills were introduced and follows : To restrict Chinese immigration; extending the operations of the Lighthouse Board over the Illinois river.... Mr. Hewitt reported a bill granting pensions to the surviving officers, soldiers and sailors (or their widows) of the Mexican, Creek, Florida and Black Hawk wars. Ordered printed. Mr. Watson introduced a bill to extend the provisions of the laws relating to soldiers and sailors ofjthe war of 1812... .The House then took up and passed the bill to make persons charged with crimes and offenses competent witnesses in United States courts... .Mr. Banning reported to bill directing the Secretary of War to pay to the officers and soldiers engaged in the war with Mexico the three months’ extra pay already provided for by the act of Congress. Passed... .Mr. Cox reported back the joint resolution extending thanks to Henry M. Stanley, which was unanimously passed. Adjourned. Friday, Jan. 18.—Senate.—Mr. Voorhees, by request, introduced a bill reviving and continuing the Court of Commissioners of the Alabama claims, and for the distribution of the unappropriated moneys of the Geneva award. Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.... Mr. Ferry presented a memorial from the Michigan State Grange in favor of the construction of a ship canal across the lower peninsula of that State. Referred.... Mr. Cameron presented a resolution of the Wisconsin Legislature in favor of the improvement of the St. Croix river. Ref erred.... Mr. Christiancy, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported adversely on the Senate bill to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims, and it was indefinitely postponed....At the expiration of the morning hour, the Senate resumed consideration of unfinished business, being the resolution of Mr. Matthews declaring the right of the Government to pay the interest and principal of the bonds in silver, and Mr. Merrimon and Mr. Maxey spoke in favor thereof.... The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Attorney General that he found no authority in present laws for the President to oblige the Union Pacific railroad to prorate with the Kansas Pacific, and that additional legislation is necessary. Referred.... After executive session the Senate adjourned till Monday. House.—Mr. Durham reported the Military Academy Appropriation bill, appropriating $372,156 and it was made the special order for Tuesday next.... Mr. Singleton introduced a bill extending the jurisdiction of the Southern Claims Commission. Referred.... Mr. Springer, from the Election Committee, presented a report in regard to the contested election case for the Fourth District of California. The report declares that Peter D. Wigginton, is entitled to the seat. Mr. Hlscock submitted a minority report, declaring ftomualdo Pacheco, entitled to a seat. Printed and recommitted.... Mr. Mills, of Texas, introduced a bill donating lands to the several States and Territories which may provide colleges for the education of females. Referred... .The House went into committee of the whole on private bi 115.... Afterward, Mr. TTaim. called up the Senate resolutions in regard to the death of Senator O.P. MortoD, and eulogies on the life and public services of the dead Senator ware pronoonoed by Messrs. Hanna, Browne, Hunter. Calkins, Wilson, Hardenbergh, Garfield, Dunnell, Williams (Wia.) and Haze)ton. The resolutions were adopted, and the Boose adjourned till Monday.