Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1880 — CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

f MONDAY. * SENATE—The following bills were introduced: Making the trade dollar legal tender; for the erection of a public building at Denver; for the supfiression of pleuro-pneumonia; a resoution was introduced asking the treasury for any information it may have touching trichinael and such amodifleation of our foreign trade as will restrict said disease. Senator Hamlin was excused from civil service committee. Report of agricultural commissioner on contagious cattle disease received. The bill for the relief of Fit* John Porter was then discussed till the senate went into executive Session. HOUSE.—After some discussion the credentials of Mr. Taylor, member of congress elect from 19th district of Ohio (successor to General Garfield) were referred. Resolution ip regard to the inter-ooeanic canal, after debate, referred .to committee on foreign affairs. Resolution offered asking the treasurer hov» much money General <> rant has received from the United States from his entry into West Point up to March 3d, 1877; also one extending the sympathy of congress to the unnappy lalioring class in Ireland. Bills were introduced for erecting bronze statue to Chief Justice Marshall and a monument to Admiral Farragut; also for repealing the export tax on tobacco, snuff and liquors, and for the construction of a ship canal across Charleston neck. The discussion of the electoral count resolution was then resumed.

TUESDAY. t SENATE:—The following bills were introduced: For the relief of the court of commissioners of the Alabama claims; to prevent the intoductiou and spread of epizootic and like diseases among stock. Quite a debate arose on the question of taking up the resolution unseating Senator Kellogg. At the expiration of the morning hour the bill for the relief of Fitz John Porter was taken up. The bill, with amendment offered by Mr. Dawes, was Anally passed after a long discussion. Senate then took of bill devoting part of proceeds up sale of public lands to public education, and soon after went into executive session. HOUSE.—A resolution was adopted asking information as to abuse of franking privilege by any member of the house. Bill was introduced to incorporate the “maritime canal company of Nicaraugua;” also to encourage American seamen. The electoral count resolution over, the vote on the previous question showing the want of a quorum. Mr. Bicknell will bring it up again in January, if he can get 147 members to stand by him. A. W. P. Nowlam was elected postmaster. Committee on Sections reported in favor of the Kting members from Bth and 9th and sth Massachusetts districts. House then went into committee of the whole on the funding bill. After the committee arose, the consular and diplomatic appropriation bill for $1,190,435 and tne West Point bill for $322,135 were reported. - WEDNESDAY.

HEN ATE.—The following bills were introduced: For the retirement of small legal tender notes; to promote the efficiency of the civil service; house bill for the relief of absentee Shawnee lajids in Kansas. The resolution to deliver certain worn-out senate furniture to the nationaPassociation for the relief of colored women and children for its use, was adopted. Quite a debate followed on the bill devoting part of proceeds of sale of public lands to education; laid over till to-morrow. Pending the discussion of the bill voting $4,750 to pay Samuel A. Lowe for services and expenses as clerk of the territorial legislature of Kansas in 1855, the senate went into executive session. HOUSE:—BiII granting Mrs. Julia D. Tvler, widow of the late president, g;nsion of SIOO per month, passed. ill introduced, to retire small legal tender notes. House then went into committee of the whole on the fortification bill, which,with some proposed amendments, was debated at length and passed—all the amendments being rejected. Mr. Gibson’s bill voting $1,800,000 for the improvements of the Mississippi, was ordered printed and recommitted.

THURSDAY. SENATE:—A bill introduced authorizing the president to place Gen. Ord on the retired list with the proper rank and pay. Senate refused to adjourn over till Monday, by vote of 31 to 10. The fortification bill was received, read twice and referred. Bill introduced for sale of part of the reservation of Omaha Indians, Nebraska. At the expiration of the morning hour, the educational bill was taken up and debated‘until the adjournment without final action. Pending the debate, a recess of ten minutes was taken to shake hands with Gen. Grant, who was in the chamber. HOUSE:—A joint resolution was adopted, for a recess of congress from December 22d to January sth. The House then went into committe of the whole on the pension appropriation bill; aftef debating the same at some length, the committee and the bill was passed. A recess <n ten minutes for tile members to pay their respects to Gen. Grant. Then Mr. Bland offered a substitute for the funding bill. It appropriates $100,000,000 of the coin now on hand* for the payment of the interest bearing debt of the United States, falling due during 1880 and 1881, and directs the secretary of the treasury to carry a maximum*amount of silver dollars in the manner now authorized by law, and to pay out such dollars in the redemption of the public debt. Section two repeals all laws authorizing the issuing of bonds for the purpose of funding or redeeming the interest bearing debt of the United States.

FRIDAY. SENATE: The house resolution to adjourn from 22nd inst. to 6th of January, was disagreed to. The bill voting $250,000 to rebuild custom house at Pencacola, was passed. Bill was introduced for a general bankrupt law. Resolution or inquiry as to the increase of the number of supreme judges to 13, was agreed te. The education bill was then taken up and dlsctused. The amendment to strike out the clause devoting one third of the ftmd to the colleges established under act of 1882, was rejected. BUI then passed and senate adjourned till Monday. HOUSE. —After the morning hour, the house went into committee of the whol, on the private calender. Several bills granting pensions to various parties, were passed. No important business transacted.' House refused to adjourn over tiU Monday. The eighth annual convention of the association of agricultural.societies of Michigan will be held In Lansing, commencing Wednesday evening, January 26,1881. Each agricultural. horticultural and all hindered societies of the state are entitled to three delegates.