Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1871 — Weekly News Summary. [ARTICLE]

Weekly News Summary.

CONGRESSIONAL. In the Senate, on the 20th, the unanimous resolutions of the Indiana Legislature In favor of the House bill which grants pensions to the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812, were presented.... The certificate of election of Foster Blodgett as United States Senator horn Georgia for six years tom the 4th of March next, was presented, read and laid on the table.... The bill to constitute Leavenworth, Kansas, a port, of entry was reported adversely and Indefinitely postponed ....Blue and Joint resolutions were Introduced—to prevent obstruction to navigation on the Ohio River; to provide for additional commercial and postal facilities at the port of New York; to carry into effect the constitutional form of government for the Indian Territory adopted Dec. 20, 1870, at Okmulgeo by a general council, the said Territory to be held by authority of the Government of the United States... .A Joint resolution was passed for the relief of squatters on public lands, extending for one year the time for making payments.... Tbe Special Committee for the investigation of the alleged Southern outrages was announced as follows: Scott, Wilson, Rice, Chandler and Bayard.... The Income Tax Mil was made tbe special order for the 24th.... The bill to refund States interest and discount on money borrowed to equip, pay, supply and transport troops for the service of the United States In the recent war, was debated at length....Adjodmed to the 23d. In the House, on the 20th, the Senatebill, to provide for the government of the District of Columbia, proposing a Territorial government in the District, with a Governor appointed by tbe President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall hold office four years, with a Council of eleven members and House of twentytwo members, with a Secretary of State appointed by the President, for four years, and with a Delegate in Congress, was amended and passed.... The Army Appropriation bill, appropriating f27,473,000, was reported and made the special order for the 26tb... .The Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was further considered tn Committee of the Whole... .Adjourned to the 23d. In the Senate, on the 23d, Mr. Stearns, elected by the Legislature of Minnesota for the unexpired term of Mr. Norton, deceased, presented himself and took the oath of office. . .Joint resolutions by the Indiana Legislature instructing the Senators of that State to vote against the annexation of Dominica, were presented, ordered printed, and laid on the table... .Communications were also presented and referred, from the Illinois and Indiana Legislatures for the improvement of the navigation of Wabash River... .Resolutions from the St. Louis Board of Trade for deepening the channel at the month of the Mississippi River were presented and referred.... A report was made from the Judiciary Committee, upon the Georgia Senatorial question, accompanied by a resolution declaring Joshua Hill to nave been elected; the minority report reviews the claims of the various Senatorial applicants, and concludes with a resolution to admit Farrow and Whitely, and a resolution was also offered declaring Hill and Miller legally ejected. ..A bill was introduced to confirm the sales of the Shawnee Indian lands in Kansas, made under the direction, and with the approval, of the Secretary of the Interior... .The bill to increase pensions of disabled soldiers and sailors, and the widows and children of deceased soldiers and sailors, increasing all pensions 2') per cent, for five years from March 4, 1871, was takenjnp and passed.... A resolution was adopted granting the investigation committee oa the alleged Southern outrages leave to report, from time to time, to suit their convenience, and sit during the sessions of the Senate... .The bill to relieve Congressmen from importunity, and preserve the Independence of the departments of the Government, was further considered.... Exexutive session and adjournment.

In the House, on the 23d, bills and resolutions were Introduced and referred—for a commission to determine the claims and damages to American commerce by Confederate privateers; resolutions of the Indiana Legislature, asking for the improvement of tbe navigation of the Wabash River, and on the subject of the annexation of San Domingo; to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River at Booneville; to reduce the rates on correspondence by telegraph, and connect the telegraph with the postal service; for the construction otwagon roads and bridges in Dakota; granting lands for railroad purposes in Montana and Wyoming; granting 1,500.000 acres of public lands for common schools in Virginia; granting public lands in North Carolina for common schools; for the erection of a PostOffice iu Raleigh, N. C.... Memorials were presented—from the Hlinois Legislature, for the improvement of the Wabash River; of the St. Louis Board of Trade, for the construction of a ship canal; of the City Council of Covington, Ky., against the completion of the Newport and Cincinnati bridge on tbe proposed plan, as an obstruction to navigation.... W. W. Paine, member elect from Georgia, appeared and took the oath of office.... A Dili was passed to regulate rank in the navy; end a joint resolution was passed for the appointment of a Committee on Fish and the Fisheries on the Coasts and Lakes... .Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 24th, the House substitute for the bill for a Territorial government for the District of Columbia was referred to the Committee on Conference. ...The House Joint resolution allowing merchandise in port and not entered on Dec. 31, 1870, to be admitted under the old tariff, was passed... The Honse bill relating to telegraphic communication between the United States and foreign countries was reported, w ith an amendment making it unlafwul for two or more cable companies to consolidate or finite their interests without the consent of the Postmaster General of the United States, and upon such terms as he may determine ....The bill to refund to States the interest and discount on their war loans, was reported adversely. ..The Vice-President presented the credentials of F. P. Blair, Senator elect from Missouri for the term ending March 4, 1873. ... A joint resolution was passed, appropriating SI,OOO or so much as is necessary to defray the expenses of the select committee to investigate the alleged Southern outrages... A bill was introduced and referred granting land to aid in the construction of the Atlantic * Great Western Canal.... A motion to reconsider the vote adopting the resolution allowing tbe Committee on Southern Outrages to sit during tbe sessions of the Senate was agreed to, and the resolution was tabled for the present. ...The death of Hon. D. S. Norton was announced, and the customary resolutions were adopted... .The Civil Service Reform bill prohibiting Congressmen frqm soliciting appointments, was further considered... .Adjourned. In the House, on the 24th, bills were introduced and referred—in reference to District Courts in Alabama; to amend the act of the 15th of Augnst, 1888, regulating the Diplomatic and Consular service....A resolution was reported and adopted in the contested election case from North Carolina, that Nathaniel Boyden, the contestant, was not entitled to a seat, and that Fran cis E. Shaber, the sitting member,-was.... A resolution was adopted authorizing a sub-committee with regard to the kidnapping and compulsory resignation of the three cadets, to proceed to West Point and take testimony... .A substitute for the Senate bill to reimburse the Biate of Arkansas for money expended in enrolling, equipping and provisioning militia for the eupB reunion of tho rebellion, waa agreed to, aud io bill waa passed... .The credentials of Stephen A. Carker, member elect from the Fifth Congressional District of Georgia, were presented, and he waa sworn in ... A Conference Committee was ordered ou the bill to create a government for the District of Columbia... .Bills were passed—giving the Chicago * Ohio Southern Railroad Company the right to build across tho Wabash River, and declaring it a poet road; the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bi 11... .Bills were reported by the Committee on Commerce and recommitted—in reference to a railroad bridge across tho Mississippi River, and to encourage the building of steamships in the United States.. ..Adjourned.

In the Senate, on the 25th, F. P. Blair, of Mieseuri, presented ht« credentials, appeared, and took the oath of office, and was appointed to fill -the vacancies In the Committee- on Education and Labor .... Bills were introduced—to enable the Jackson, Lansing <fc Saginaw Railroad to change the northern tenplnus of the road from Traverse Bay to the Straits of Mackinaw; making,, a temporarv appropriation for the prosecution of the work of Improving the Ste. Marie Canal; extending to all Southern states the provisions of the act of Joly 4,1864, limiting the Jurisdiction of court claims, and alsq to amend the said act so as to provide for the payment of Sauthern claims for quartermaster and commissary stores furnished the army.... The bill lately introduced In reference to fife insurance was reported back adversely from the Judiciary Committee.... The credentials of Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, re-elected for six years from March next, were read. . The bin to repeal the income tax. was considered at length, and the snblect war dually laid over... Adjourned. lu the House, on tbe 25th, the Fortification bilk appropriating t 1,687,000, was reported and made tbe special order for the 81st . Bills were passed—Senate amendment to the House bill declaring the meartlng of the act of July 14, 1870. to reduce Internal taxation; extending the benefits of the act for the establishment of aif asylum for disabled volunteer soldiers and sailors to the disabled- soldiers of the war of IBIS and the Mexican wan to repeal the proviso in the sixth section of the act of July »7

1888, relating to pensions; Senate bill to turn over to tho Secretary of the Interior for disposal by sale, after appralsment, the United Statesfcnllltary reservations at Forts Lane and Walla walla, Oregon; Fort Zarlah, Kan.: Camp McGarry, Nov.; Fort Summer, New Mexico; Forts Jessup and Sabine, La.; Fort Wayne, Ark.; Fort Collins, Col.; Fort Dakota, In Dakota, and such portion of Fort Bridges, in Wyoming, as is no longer required for military purposes, amended by the House by adding Fort Smith, Ark... The Indian Appropriation bin, appropriating *4,359,409, was considered in Committee of tbe Whole... .Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 26th, bills weh) passed—authorizing the salt of a portion of the Fort Leavenworth military reservation to the Kansas Agricultural and Mechanical Association for a fair ground; making a temporary loan of »100.000 for the prosecution of the work on the Sault Hte. Marie Canal and River; the Pension Appropriation bill; to repeal the income tax of December 81,1866—26 to 25.... A bill was reported authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River at Booneville; the House joint resolution for the protection and reservation of food for fishes on the coasts of the United States, was reported without amendment. ...A bill was Introduced to enable the united bands of Swan Creek, Black River. Chippewa and Chunze Indians, in Kansas, to dispose of their lands.... Adjourned. In the House, on the 26th, a communication was received and referred from Commissioner Pleasanton relative to the income tax, which tax ho regards as the one above all others most obnoxious to the people, and he renews his recommendation for its entire abolition.... A bill was Introduced and referred, allowing an additional representation of forty-three in Congress, as follows: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan, two each: Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina. South Carolina Alabama, Mississippi, California and Minnesota, one each, and Illinois, four, such additional members to be elected by general tickets. ... .A bill was passed for the better security of Agricultural College funds... The death of Senator Norton, of Minnesota was announced, and eulogies were pronounced on his life and character.... The Indian Appropriation bill was further considered in Committee of the Whole... .Adjourned.

FOREIGN. A Versailles dispatch of the 18th says the army of General Bourbaki was in full retreat, and the attempt by the French to relieve Belfort had been completely frustrated. 1 Miss Motley, daughter of the late American Minister, was married in Southampton Church, London, on the 20th. There was a great display. The Provincial (Berlin) Correspondence of the 18th says the preliminary agreement for the conference of the powers at London, affirms the guarantee for favorable results of the conference. The Germans have occupied Tours, meeting with no resistance. On the 18th, the German forces captured the village of Abbe Villiers, which was in flames at the time, and have expelled the French from all their positions on the frontier. Emperor William telegraphed from Versailles on the 20th: “The Army of the North was beaten to-day, before St. Quentin. Four thousand unwounded prisoners and two guns were Captured. Large fires were seen in Paris on the night of the 19th. Bismark, in a-letter of the 17th, replying to the American and other foreign ministers in Paris, denies the reasonableness of their demand that they be allowed to quit the city. “Neutrals,” he says, “ had abundant notice before the siege.” On the 19th, King William, of Prussia was proclaimed Emperor of Germany, in the presence of all the German Princes and representatives. A recent dispatch from the Hon. William H. Seward to his family says the party were in excellent health, and he was much stronger and better than when he left home. The party were to sail on the 20th of December for Hong Kong and Canton. Advices from Paris state that at the meeting of the Council for Defense on the 20th, Gen. Truchu announced that if hopes for assistance from the outside should be disappointed, it would be his duty to surrender before the Germans destroyed the public buildings and fired the center of the city. Civil members of the bouncil disagreed with the .General, and he resigned, but again accepted command after a hot quarrel. A London dispatch of the evening of the 21st says advices from Paris to the 18th state the damage by the bombardment was not extensive, and only a few persons had been killed. Emperor William telegraphed to the Empress from Versailles, under date of the 21st, that the enemy had the day previous entirely withdrawn into Paris. Detailed accounts of the defeat of Gen. Faidherbc show that the French Army of the North suffered a terrible blow from which it can hardly recover. Count Bismark, in a note in reply to Jules Favre’s request for safe conduct to the London Conference, declined to enter into any such negotiation. His reason therefor is that in so doing he would be recognizing the Republic. A dispatch from Dijon on the 22d says the French on that day repulsed an attack of Prussians along the whole line. The enemy were pursued, and positions held by them at Daix and Hauterville seized. The Garibaldians mitered Dijon amid immense enthusiasm. The Prussians in their flight abandoned their wounded. The Germans have occupied Dole, where they captured 250 cars loaded with finny stores.

A telegram from the British Cabinet announces the erection of Jamaica into the principal military and naval stations for tbe West Indies. Letters from Paris by balloon state that tbe Council of Defense on the afternoon of the 21st, after the sortie, accepted .the resignation of Trochu, and replaced Admirals Soisset and Laroneriere. Trochu remained Civil Governor. Leffoe was succeeded by Lorain. " A Versailles dispatch of the 25th says : “ Jules Favre is here. He proposes the capitulation of the soldiers and garrison with the honors of war. The terms are not deemed admissible.” * A dispatch from Dijon-on the 23d says the defeat of the Prussians on the 22d was complete. The troops under Ricciotti Garibaldi destroyed the Sixty-first Prussian regiment. The French behaved heroically. It is stated from London that Napoleon feels confident of the restoration of his dynasty, if not of reascending the throne

himself. At any rate it is stated that Germany will give to France a government, and demand that the French shall abide by It. A London dispatch of the 24th says : “ The Conference has again adjourned for one week. A resolution to confine the discussion to the of the question of the treaty of Paris was adopted. The Conference is regarded as a fqrce.” Longwy, on the Belgian border, which had been beslegsd for a long time, capitulated on the 25th. Four thousand prisoners and two hundred guns fell into the hands of the Germans. Bismark has been appointed Chancellor of the German Empire. Cable dispatches on the 26th give reports that negotiations were pending for the capitulation of Paris. Sir Roderick Murchison has received a letter from Africa, giving positive intelligence of the safety of Dr. Livingstone. An official dispatch from Versailles, on the 24th, says the French loss in the sortie of the 19th was 6,000 killed, wounded and missing; the Germans, all told, only 655.

DOMESTIC. Gold closed in New York on the 26th at 1105<. Counterfeit twenties on the City National Bank of New York city are in circulation at the East. The Supreme Court of New Hampshire has decided that, to deprive a deserter of his right to vote, the fact of hiS desertion must have been proven before a courtmartial. The steamer Cuba arrived at New York on the night of the 20th, with the released Fenian prisoners on board. An earthquake shock was felt at Laconia, N. H., on the morning of the 18th. A Washington dispatch of the 21st says: “An erroneous statement has been published that Cotrimissioner Pleasanton has decided that no stamps are required to be affixed to the renewal of insurance policies. Such is not the case. Stamps are required to be affixed when such policies are.renewed.” Gov. Safford, of Arizona, in his annual message, recommends a war of extermina tion against the Apaches. He favor the employment of volunteers composed of settlers, fighting ‘for their homes and families, as more efficient and cheaper than regular troops. A raid with mounted troops has recently been made in the mountain regions of Tennessee. It resulted in the destruction of sevcn"illicit distilleries and about 15,000 of mash. Eleven other stills were found, but as they were not running they could not be molested. The jaid occupied eight days. A large meeting was held at Cincinnati on the night of the 23d, to raise funds for the exiled Fenians. Fifteen hundred persops were present, and a handsome purse was contributed. The recent suspension of the Suffolk County Bank, of Sag Harbor, N. Y., has caused great excitement on Long Island. Many of the depositors are poor people, who arc likely to lose largely. The New England Labor Reform League commenced its third anniversary meeting at Boston on tljp 24th. The preliminary report of Prof. Newcomb, U. B,Cn., of his observation of the late eclipse at Gibralter, has been received at the Navy Department, in Washington, and shows that, notwithstanding some adverse circumstances, he waa successful therein. A Ban Francisco dispatch of the 24th says the rains were believed to be sufficient to secure an abundant wheat crop in California. Farmers were planting as rapidly i.s possible. The Supreme Court of Illinois, on the 24th, announced its decision in the case of Bishop Chase et al., w. Rev. Chas. E. Cheney, of Chicago, reversing the decision in the lower court. A New York dispatch of the 25th says it is stated on apparently good authority that the President had ordered the immediate discontinuance of the sales of surplus arms and munitions of every kind. Secretary Boutwell was before the Committee of Ways and Means of the House on the 25th, resisting the abolition of the income tax. He represented that the probable revenue from that source would be between thirteen and fourteen millions, while tho additional cost of collection would not be half a million. By-direction of the President, the headquarters of the department of the South is transferred from Atlanta, Ga., to Louisville, Ky., the latter being tho headquarters of General Halleck. The official returns of the Bureau of Statistics at Washington show the decrease in immigration for the year 1870 to be 31,118. Another severe snow storm prevailed at the East on the 26th. Weather cold.

PERSONAL. The Governor pf Wisconsin has appointed Hon. William P. Lyon, of Racine, to the vacancy in the State Supreme Coug, caused by the death of Judge Paine. The Methodist Book Concern Committee, in session at New York, on the 20th decided to end the investigation of the charges Lanahan, by a* vote of 10 to 5. It is now stated that there is no foundation for the report Of the resignation of Oliver Ames as President of the Union Pacific Railroad. A banquet was given to Senator-elect Blair at St. Louis, on the night of the2lst. Nearly three hundred persons were present. McKean Buchanan, while acting nt tfie Opera-House at Norfolk, Va., on the riight of the 21st, was stricken with paralysis. He will probably recover,

William Barrett, a retired tobacco merchant, aged eighty-four years, and one of the wealthiest citizens of Richmond, Va., was burned to death in that city on the afternoon of the 21st, by his dressing gown taking fire while he was in his study. Judge W. P. Chilton, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Alabama, died on the 20lh. He was formerly Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of the State. ■ The following nominations were sent to the Senate on the 23d: Reubcu Elwood, Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Second District of Illinois; J. E. Marsh, Surveyor of Customs for Kansas City, Mo.; J. 8. Botsford, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri; Geo. L. Woods, of Oregon, Governor of Utah. Postmasters—James Howard, Mt. Sterling Ky.; C. J Rawling, Wheeling, W. Va.; Henry Massie, Charlottsville, Va. Among the nominations sent to the Senate on the 24th were : Leroy Tuttle, to be Assistant Treasurer of the United States; Thomas J. McKenna, Superintendenfof Indian Affairs in Washington Territory. The following nominations were sent to the Senate on the 25th: Alexander H. Adams, Pension Agent, Lexington, Ky. Postmasters —H. J. Brown, Anderson, Ind.; J. C. Hannum, Delphi, Ind.; G. L. Williams, Carrollton, Ill.; F. Clenclerim, Morristown, Ill.; Elizabeth MfAllister, Fairfield, lowa. The unveiling of Vinnie Ream's statue of Lincoln took place on the night of the 25th, in the rotunda of the Capitol »t Washington, which was brilliantly illuminated, and decorated with flags—one made of California silk .being suspended over the statue. President Grant, Vice-Presi-dent Colfax, Genital Sherman, Judge Davis, Committee on Public Buildings, and orators for the occasion, occupied seats on the platform. There was a large audience. Several addresses were delivered, eulogistic of Mr. Lincoln, and in congratulation of the success of Miss Ream. Mayor Robert Harkness, of Delavan has been appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of the-First Wisconsin Judicial Circuit, in place of Judge Lyon, promoted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Bench.

POLITICAL. In the House of Representatives at Washington,‘Oirthe 20th, while the laws for the District of Columbia were being considered, a motion to strike out the word male in the section defining voters, was lost—ss to 115. It is stated that no special election will be held in Illinois to fill the vacancy occasioned by General Logan’s election to the Senate, but his successor will be chosen at the regular State election next fall. The High Court of Impeachment convened at Raleigh, N. C., on the 23d, and Gov. Holden filed his answer to the articles of impeachment. The answer is a very voluminous document, and covers at least 200 pages of foolscap. The Managers retain, as counsel, ex-Governor Bragg, exGovemor Graham, and H. 8. Merriman. Governor Holden retains as counsel, H. H. Smith, Edward Conigland, Richard C. Badger, Hon. Nathaniel Boyd, and J. M McCorkle. The Democrats have nominated John Kendrick, of Waterbury, for Member or Congress in the Second Connecticut District. The New Jersey Legislature on the 24th elected Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, United States Senator, by joint ballot, 42, against 22 for Governor Randolph. Six memlwrs of the House and one Senator were absent. ’ The Massachusetts Woman’s Suffrage Convention assembled at Boston on the 24th. The impeachment of Judge James T. Magbee before the Florida Legislature has resulted in his acquittal. The Republican Executive Committee of Montgomery County, Ohio, have determined to discontinue the proceedings in the contest with Campbell for the seat, in the next Congress from the Third District. i Alexander Caldwell, of Leavenworth has been elected United States Senator by the Kansas Legislature. The Connecticut Republican Convention, in session at New Haven on the 25th, renominated all of the present State offl cers by acclamation. The Mississippi Legislature reassembled on the 24th.