Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1871 — Weekly News Summary. [ARTICLE]

Weekly News Summary.

CONGRESSIONAL. In the Senate, on the 10th, bills were reported—to incorporate the Red River Valley A Santa Fe Railroad, with an amendment; House bill, to amend section 25 of the act of July 5, 1870. to provide for a homestead for the officers, soldiers, seamen and marines of the late war, allowing a quarter section of government land . .. The House bill making an appropriation of $15,000 for a contingent fund In the House of Representatives was passed. ...A bill was introduced to establish a diplomatic mission at Berlin, upon the same grade and emoluments with those at Paris and London, fixing the salary of the Minister at $17,000, and the Secretary of Legation at 12,025 per annum A , message was received from the House announcing the death of Mr. Covode, when remarks eulogistic of the deceased were made, and resolutions of respect wore adopted.... An evening session was held, and the Legislative, Executive and Judicial and the Indian Appropriation bills were considered, amended and ordered printed... .Adjourned. In the House, on the 10th, bills were passed—to authorize tbe issue and payment by the officers of the Treasury, of checks under $5 0 that have been lost or destroyed; for the enlistment of 30 ' additional seamen in the navy for a practice snip at Annapolis; Naval Appropriation bill; granting pensions to the soldiers of the war of 1812... .Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 11th, biMs were introduced to facilitate commerce between the United States and Asia; to authorize the construction of bridges across tbe Mississippi River at Glasgow and Louisiana, Mo.; to incorporate the New York, Alexandria, Washington & Georgetown Steamship Company.... Bills were reported—to prevent obstructions in the waters, harbors and navigable channels of tbe United States; relating to the exportation of petroleum, allowing the transfer or petroleum imported from Canada into different packages.... A petition was presented and referred from citizens of Oregon, for an amendment to the constitution to prohibit tbe importation, manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors Reports were made and concurred in- from the Conference Committees on the West Point Appropriation and 1812 Pension bi 115.... Bills Were passed—to cede to the State of Ohio unsold lands in the Virginia military district of said State; to enable tbe Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad Company to locate a portion of its road;'to amend the act to reduce the expenses of the survey and sale of public lands, approved May 31, 18112; providing for facilitating land surveys by settlers; to extend the time for the completion of a railroad between Madison, Ind., and Portuge City, and giving construction to acts of Congress granting lands to the State of Wisconsin to aid in building railroads... .Adjourned. ——-—1 ———— , SJ In the House, on the 11th, bills were passed—Senate bill, with amendments, to provide for tbe disposition of useless military reservations; several pension and other private bills; extending the land laws of the United States over the Territory of Alaska; for the sale of timber lands in California, Oregon and Washington Territory... .A Joint resolution was introduced and referred declaring that hereafter no Indian nation or tribe within the United States shall be acknowledged or recognized as an independent nation, tribe or power, with which the United States may contract by treaty, and that all contracts or agreements hereafter made by and between them, or any of them and the United States, shall be subject to the approval of Congress.... A resolution was adopted directing the Secretary of War to communicate information relative to the late fire at the West Point Military Academy, and the conduct of the cadets on that occasion; also any further information be may have touching the late misconduct of the first class.... The Speaker notified the House that it now requires 121 members to constitute a quorum, there being 241 names on the roll—only three less than the total number of Representatives. ....Adjourned.

lu the Senate, on the 13tb, a memorial was presented, asking authority from Congress for the Cincinnati & Southern Railroad Company to construct a road through the State of Kentucky, permission now being withheld by the adverse action of the Kentucky State Senate... .The House amendments to tbe bill for tbe sale es useless military reservations were concurred in.... The House bill to enable honorably-discharged soldiers and sailors, and their widows and orphans, to acquire homesteads on the public lands of tbe United States, was reported, with amendments striking out the provisions allowing the assignment of homestead certificates, and by omitting the section allowing tbe entry of the land by an agent or attorney ... .The joint resolution prescribing the form of oath to be taken by Mr. Miller, claiming a seat as a Senator from Georgia, was debated and passed.... Adjourned. In the House, on the 13th, bills were passed to authorize the construction of a bridge over the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Mo., and over tbe Missouri River at Glasgow, Mo.; Senate bill authorizing water gauges to be established and observations made on the Mississippi River, in relation to levees; to enable the Jackson, Lansing <fc Saginaw Railroad Company to change the northern terminus of the road from Traverse Bay to the Straits of Mackinaw.... Bills were introduced and referred—to protect loyal, peaceable citizens and perpetuate the evidence of the losses sustained in the rebellion, providing for the appointment of a commissfoneMn each county in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Kentucky, to take cognizance of all Ku-Klux outrages; to provide for additional mail to Brazil... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 14th, the House Joint resolution appropriating $5,000 to George F. Robinson, for hie services in saving the life of Secretary Seward, was adopted.,. .Bills were reported—adversely, the House joint resolution to donate the duties on certain imported articles for the benefit of the destitute citizens of France; with amendments, t 1 e Post-Office Appropriation bill; adversely, the House bill directing the Secretary of State to cause to be brought Mme and Interred, the remains of (Jens. Ashman and Steadmau, and Elisha N. Saulnier, tbe late United States Consul at Vera Cruz. ...A bill was introduced and referred—to provide for the selection of cadets to tJio military and naval academies. ... .Bills were passed —authorizing the PostmasterGeneral tq, contract for the carrying of mails; making an appropriation of $4 ,000 for the compensation of Nicholas P. Trist as negotiator of a treaty.... Adjourned. In the House, on the 14th, a report from the Conference Committee on the West Point Military Academy Appropriation bill was made and agreed to.. .The contested election caseofShofe against Tillman, in the Fourth District of Tennessee, was taken up, and a resolution was agreed to—declaring Shofe, the contestant not entitled to the seat, that Tillman, the sitting member, Is, and that Shofe should be paid $4,500 expenses of contest... The report of the Committee on Military Affairs on the West Point Academy difficulties was considered, and the resolutions offered by tbe committee were read, and others were offered, and a lengthy debate ensued... .Adjourned. In the Senate on the 15th, a resolution was adopted that the Secretary of the Navy be directed to communicate to the Senate a copy of the instruction to the commander of the ship Tennessee on her present cruise. ..The Joint resolution of the Indiana Legislature withdrawing that State's alleged ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment was taken up and speeches were made thereon.... A message from the President was read, stating that he had transmitted to the Senate the announcement that Senate bill No. 218, an act proscribing an oath of office, to .be taken by persons who participated in the late rebellion, who are not disqualified from bolding office by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, baa become a law in the manner prescribed by the constitution, without the signature of the President... .A resolution was agreed to instructing the Committee on Commerce to consider the expediency of providing by law for tbe regulation of railroads in the United States so as to prevent the loss of human life and promote the security of passengers.... .Adjourned. In the House, on the 15th, the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee to enforce the right of citizens of the United States, under the Fifteenth Amendment, to vote in the several States of the Union, was taken up and, after a lengthy and warm debate, was passed—l 44 to M. Ahiil was introduced to Incorporate the Kuro]>ean and American Telegraph Company.... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 16th, a bill was introduced and referred to repeal the iron-clad oath... .Bills were reported—House bills, to prevent cruelty to animals while in transit, etc.; providing for the recovery of damages for the loss of the sfoop-of-war Oneida... A bill was reported for the relief of contractors for the coustrnctlou of vessels of war and steam machinery, with the veto message of the President returning the MU with his objections, and the question being shall the bill pass notwithstanding the objections of the President, the am and noas t were called and resulted In 2 ayes and 57 noea....The Legislative Appropriation bill came up and was considered. ....Adjourned’. ; In the House, on the 16th, the report es lb« Military ConualHH en ths Wut Point

emy troubles was considered, and resolutions were agreed to—directing a Court of Inquiry into the conduct of the officers of the academy; directing tbe restoration of Cadets Baird, Banqu and Fleokinger, and directing tbe dismissal of the leaders and Instigators of the First Class, and courtmartialing the others....A bill was passed as a substitute for the Senate bill relating to the same subject, to provide for better security on board vessels propelled In whole or In part by steam, establishing regulatfonssto be observed by steamers to guard against loss or danger from fire, leakage, explosions, or other accidents.... Adjourned.

FOREIGN. The London Times of the 10th remarks on the portion of the recent royal speech announcing the reference of the American questions to the joint high commission. It says: “ Although the Alabama question is secondary to that of fisheries as a subject for consideration by the commission, yet there is no doubt as to which question will mainly engage attention. But it is erroneous to suppose that it is the purposa of the commission to find ground for England to abandon her position or concede her liability on the Alabama question.” A London telegram of the 11th says it was ascertained beyond a doubt that the result of the French elections is a triumph for the Conservatives. A Brussels dispatch of the 12th states that the result in fifty-four 'departments is 807 Bonapartists and Orleanists and 80 Republicans. Napoleon has issued a proclamation dated Wilhelmsliohe, February 8, which concludes as follows: “It is essential that France should be united in her wishes. For myself, bruised by injustice and bitter from deceptions, I do not now claim my repeatedly-confirmed rights. There is no room for personal ambition, but till the people are regularly assembled and express their will, it is my duty to say that all acts are illegitimate. There is only one government in which resides national sovereignty able to heal the wounds, to bring hope to the firesides, to reopen the churches for prayers, and to restore industry, concord, and peace.” The Liverpool Courier of the 11th says that a French transport steamer, with 1,250 persons ou board, had foundered off Cape La Hague, and that all on board were lost. Violent shocks of earthquake were felt at Darmstadt, in Germany, on the morning of the 10th. The Canada papers, representing various political parlies, express great satisfaction at the appointment of a commission to settle the differences between England and America. They consider that the appointment of two Canadian statesmen on the commission secures a just representation of Canadian rights. Official returns from the Department of the North of France show that the Monarchical candidates polled 195,000, and the Republicans 47,000 votes. At a preparatory sitting of the French National Assembly at Bordeaux on the 13th, about 300 Deputies were present The session was formally opened »and secretaries appointed. The rules and other internal arrangements of the Chamber of 1869 were adopted. A letter was read from Garibaldi declining a seat in the Assembly. Favre, for himself, and in the of his colleagues, at Bordeaux and Paris, resigned the power confided to them as the Government of the National Defense. He stated that the Ministers would remain in office to maintain order until the construction of a new government. A telegram from Bombay says the steamer Gen. Outram, from Cochin, bound to Bombay, had foundered in a cyclone in the Indian Ocean, and fifty-three lives were lost.

It has-been ascertained that only ninetyeight lives were lost on the French transport Lecerf, wrecked off Cape La Hague. Sir Stafford Northcote has accepted the position made vacant by the resignation of Sir John Rose, on the commission for the adjustment of questions at issue between the United States and Great Britain. A riotous demonstration occurred in Cork, Ireland, on the 14th, on the occasion of the welcome given to the released Fenian captives. The streets were cleared by a mounted police with drawn sabres. Garibaldi has resigned his command in the French army, and returned to his home in Italy. Kossuth is said to be dying at Turin, in the midst rif poverty. A Brussels dispatch of the 14th says it was reported that Gen. Faidherbe, in a recent communication to the French Government, stated that the Army of the North was in readiness to again meet either foreign or internal disturbers. The Liverpool steamer Pacific has been: lost’in the Shetland Islands, with twentysix of her crew. (■-

A Bordeaux telegram of the 16th says M. Grievy had been elected President of the Assembly. The total vote cast was 588, of which M. Grievy received 519. At a caucus held on the night of the 15th, and composed of a majority of; the delegates, it was resolved to establish a Provisional Republic, with Thiers as President, Favre as Premier, and Duke de Cases, Minister-of Foreign Affairs. The other Ministers arc to be MM. Simon, Picard, Buffet, and Barthley. A London dispatch of the 16th says that in donsequence of certain preparations made in the South of France for calling into service the military class of 1872, Bismark would consent to prolong the armistice only five days. DOMESTIC. Gold closed in New York on the 16th at 111. A dwelling house in Northampton Township, Pa., burned on the night of the 10th, and two children perished, and their mother was seriously burned. Arizona advices to the 29th ult. state that a terrible state of effdrs existed there. Indian outrages were of frequent occurreuce,lnd murders, thefts and poisoning were being committed by the Apache*. Th* entire press of CallforaU Is

loudly on the government for the protection of the Arizonians against the Indians. The Howe sewing machine factory, at Peru, Ind., was destroyed by fire on the morning of the 10th. Three lives were lost—E. P. Loveland, John Cummings and a third person, name unknown. An order has been received at the Boston Navy Yard from Washington to prepare the United States steamer Worcester to take a cargo of provisions to France. A Washington dispatch of the 12th says: “In regard to the repeal of the income tax, the President states that while he would have been glad to have the income tax abolished, he is satisfied that the position of the Secretary of the Treasury will meet with the approbation of the country. He thinks it is, perhaps, best that the revenue be kept up to its present standard, at least for the present.” The stedmer Judge Wheeler exploded her boiler, burnt and sunk on the morning of the 12th, at Bell’s Landing, fortyfive miles above Vicksburg. Three men were killed and three others injured. A Washington dispatch of the 13th states that Secretary Robeson had written Representative Sargent that there was no ground for fear concerning the Tennessee. The general opinion in New York on the 13th was that the steamer had gone down with all on board. Ex-Governor Fletcher arrived in St. Louis, on the 13th, from the Indian country, where he completed a treaty with the Shawnee and Wyandotte Indians for the right of way for a railroad through their reservations. This gives the road an unobstructed right of way from the western border of Missouri to the Colorado River. The receipts at the United States Treasury for the quarter ending December 31, 1870, were $85,097,120; expenditures, $74,115,723. All the collieries at ML Cannel, Pa., have resumed work. The Washington Chronicle of the 16th has a double-leaded article on the Tennes see, in which all hope is ,given up of the safety-of the vessel. —■ — Census returns for Michigan foot up as follows: Number of dwellings in the State, 235,687; number of families, 284, 725; number of voters 268,756; number of inhabitants, 1,184,638. An entire block of buildings in Helena, 111., was destroyed by fire on the 15th, involving a loss of $86,000. Orders were received at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, on the 15th, from the Secretary of the Navy, to fit out, with all despatch, the United States ship Supply, to carry contributions to the suffering inhabitants of France.

PERSONAL. No news, either good or bad, had been received at Washington from the steamer Tennessee up to the UtK. It was stated on the 10th that the government would dispatch steamers both from Key West and Savannah in search of the missing vessel. The following nominations were sent to the Senate on the 10th: Postmasters —J. L. Bryan, Lebanon, O.; Thos. L. Reynolds, St. Joseph, Mich.; E. 8. Stackpole, Deer Lodge, Montana; Philip Lawrence, Mineral Point, Wis.; E. H. Armsley, Atlanta, Ill.; Jnd. Kahl, Shelby, O.; J. F. Vaughan, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; M. C. Woodruff, lowa Falls, Iowa; H. J. Brown, Anderson, Ind. Alice Cary, the well-known poetess, died in New York city on the 12th, aged 50 years. She had been an invalid many years. A Newburyport, Mass., dispatch states that Leonard Choate, known as the Newburyport “ Fire-bug,” has been sentenced to the State Prison for life, for committing numerous incendiary acts in that city and vicinity. It was George 8. Benedict, the eon of the editor and publisher of the Cleveland Herald, and not George A. Benedict, the editor himself, who was killed in the Hudson River Railroad disaster. The son was the business manager of the Herald oSce. The President sent the following nominations of Postmasters to the Senate on the 13ih: William H. Streeter, Houghton, Mich.; J. H. Shattleworth, Clarksburg, W. Va..; James H. Fetler, Peru, Ind.; Edward W. Freamin, Kokomo, Ind.; J. H. Mills, Gold Hill, Nev. News was received in Washington on the 13 th that it would be impossible for Sir John Rose to serve on the joint commission to settle questions at issue between the United States and England. It was believed that the commission will not begin its sessions until about the Ist of March. The Commissioners onsthe part of the United States, are Secretary Fish, Gen. Schenck, ex Attorney Gen. Hoar, Judge Nelson and Senator Williams. Russell Hastings has been nominated by the President to be Marshal of the Northern District of Ohio. Among the nominations by the President on the 15th were: B. C. Whitney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in California. Postmasters—John McNeely, Petersburg, Ill,; H. B. Fargo, Greenville Mich.; W. H. Martens, St. Charles, Mo. ; J. E. Williams, Baxter Springs, Ks.; E. J. Stewart, Chettapah, Ks.; 8. O. McDowell, Columbus, Ks.; AH. Hamilton, Ottumwa, Iowa; Charles Weir, Cedar Rapids, lowa. ■ General J. H. Hydrick has been appointed Supervisor of Internal Revenue for the district of lowa, cite Willis Drummond, resigned. Thomas Ball's marble statue of the late Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, was formally unveiled at Boston on the 14th, and presented to the State. FOUTWAL. A’Llnooln (Neb.) dispatch of the 9th says: “Aconcurrent resolution, instructing .the Attorney-General and Treasurer of th* But* to from §pv*mor

David Butler the Immediate payment of the five per cent, fund, taken in violation of law, was passed without division. The Legislature has adjourned till March 15, to give the committee to. investigate the special acta of the Governor and other State officers, and the Land Commissioners, during the last three years, time to complete the investigation. A large number of persons are being summoned, and lively times are anticipated.” Both houses of the Kansas Legislature have asked Congress to make pensioners of the sufferers by the Quantrell raid on Lawrence during the war. t A resolution was passed in the Arkansas Senate on the 11th calling on Governor Clayton to make known at once whether qr not it was his intention to accept the United States Senatorship. Bowen, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas, has tendered his resignation to Governor Clayton. Lieutenant Governor Leslie was inaugurated Governor of Kentucky, on the 13th, at Frankfort, vice Governor Stevenson, resigned. John E. Bennett has been nominated and confirmed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas. The Democracy of the Fourth Connecticut District have renominated the Hon. W. H. Barnum for Congress. Both Houses of the New Jersey Legislature have recently ratified the Fifteenth Amendment. The Republican Congressional Convention of the Third District of Connecticut have renominated H. H. Starkweather for the third term. Dr. A. R. Goodrich is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Hartford District, and Hon. Julius L. Strong, the present member, is the Republican candidate. Gov. Alcorn, of Mississippi, who was elected United States Senator to succeed Revels on the 4th of March next announces his intention to decline the Senatorship. The New Jersey Legislature in Joint session, on the 16th, elected A. G. Runyon, State Comptroller, and Joseph Sooy, Treasurer, and all the other State officers nominated by the Republican caucus. The Republicans in the Fourth Congressional District of Connecticut have nominated George Coffing, of Salisbury, for Congress. The first of the spring elections will be held in New Hampshire, on the 14th of March. Articles of impeachment were presented in the Arkansas House on the 15th, against Governor Clayton, charging that he has conspired with members of the Supreme Court of the State maliciously and unlawfully to deprive the Lieutenant-Governor of his office when he had been lawfully elected by the people and qualified by the constitution and laws; has unlawfully removed N. H. Lock, County and Probate Judge and a Clerk of Court, who were also constitutionally elected; has, encouraged fraud in elections, has accepted pecuniary consideration for issuing State bonds, obligations to and in favor of the Memphis & Little Rock, and Fort Smith & Mississippi, Ouachita & Red River companies, in utter violation of law, etc.