Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1876 — CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

On the sth CongreeereKseemb’ed. Several petitions and memorials were presented in the Senate. Among the bills introduced was one by Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, to fhrther provide for the re. demption of United States legal-tender notes in accordance with existing laws; by Mr. Allison, to divide the State of loxa into two judicial districts ; by Mr. Conkling, to amend the act entitled “An act to provide national currency secured by pledge pf United States bonds snd to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof’—approved June 30,1864; by Mr. Harvey, to provide for an investigation of the Rocky Mountain locuata or so-called grasshoppers. Mr. Morton’s State-rights resolutions and his resolution to authorize the appointment of a committee to investigate the cTtcutnstances attending the recent election in Missis, sippl were laid over, the latter until the 10th.... In the House, ai his own request, Mr. Hewitt was relieved from the Committee on Public Buildings, and he was ■ placed on the Committee on Foreign Relations, Mr. Ely exchanging. Among the bills introduced return to the pension rolls the names of persons stricken therefrom for disloyalty; to insure the success of the Internationa] Exhibition at Philadelphia, and to maintain the honor of the nation; to pay soldiers and Sailors who are entitled to bounty lands a dollar per acre for those lands. A resolution was offered instfttcting the Committee on Naval Affairs to inquire as to whether any Government fuiidg appropriated for naval purposes had been misapplied, foj: political purposes or had been used to promote the success of the Republican party, and, after bemff modified so as to read any political party, was adopted. Resolutions were also adopted—declaring that in all cases of public employment (all other things being equal) the soldier shall have preference over the civilian, and that the House is in fitvor ot giving liberal pensions to diseased and crippled soldiers, their widows and children, and their dependent fathers and mothers; that in the distribution of the patronage of tbe House of Representatives, and ot the Government generally, those elected, and who by law have the appointment of subordinates, should only regard the Jeffersonian test: “Is he honest! Is he faithftri? Is he capable 7” instructing the Committee on Pnbhc Buildings to inquire Into charges of mismanagement and fraud in the construction of the Custom-House at Chicago. r ; g On tne 6th the'-Committee on Privileges and Elections made a report in the Senate on the resolution in regard to the election of President pro tem., to tbe effect that they had agreed—five to two —that the Senate, had the right to elect a new pro tem. President if a majority of the Senators so desired. A large number of bills were introduced and referred. Mr. Morrill called np the bill introduced by him the day before to further provide for the redemption of 1e,.a1-tender - notes, and addressed the Senate on the question of specie resumption, and moved that tbe bill be referred to the Committee on Finance, which was finally done after several Senators had made speeches on the subject. The report of the Director of the Mint was presented recommending Indianapolis and St. Louis as desirable sites for branch mints at the West.... Several bills and resolutions were introduced in the House, among thelatter bring one declaring against a further contraction' of the currency, which was referred to tbe Ways and Means Committee. A resolution was adopted for the appointment of a select committee to Inquire into the inroads, robberies and murders along the Mexican border in Texas, as was alio a resolution for inquiry into the expediency oi opening tire Black Hills country to settlement by purchase from the Indians. Mr. Blaine offered a substitute to Mr. Randall’s Amnesty bill, excepting Jefferson Davis from its provisions, and prescribing sn oath to be taken by parties desiring the removal of their political disabilities. A resolution was passed by a unanimous votq declaring that the representatives of the people in Congress should do no act which would unnecessarily disturb the fraternal feeling and good-will now existing in all parts of the country, nor wantonly revive the bitter memories of the past. House adjourned to tbe 10th. On the 7th no important business was transacted in the Senate. A memorial from the Minnesota State Grange asking for an appropriation for opening a water channel, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, to connect the Missisippi River with the lakes was presented and referred, as were also memorials of the Arkansas Legiriature asking for appropriations for the improvement of White River and for the construction of national leveea to reclaim the alluvial lands of the Mississippi River. Adjourned to the 10th .... House not in session.