Springfield Weekly Republican

CONGRESS

On Thursday, in the Senate,—

The bill to pay John Ericsson $18,900 for services in planning the steamer Princeton, was passed.

The bill to reimburse West Virginia for war expenses was passed.

The bill to regulate commercial and postal communication between the states was taken up. Messrs. Howard of Mich. and Howe of Wis. spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Creswell of Md. offered an amendment, giving Congress power to alter, amend or repeal the bill at any time, and spoke against the bill. No action was taken.

On motion of Mr. Poland the post-office appropriation bill was recalled from the House. Mr. Poland entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which it was passed. He looked upon the amendment put upon that bill as revolutionary. Congress might as well refuse to appropriate money to pay the salary of the president, as refuse to pay the salaries of the officers appointed by the president. He wished his motion to lie on the table until the bill, now in course of preparation, in relation to appointments, was presented to the Senate. The consideration of the motion was fixed for Monday of next week.

In the House,—

The vote rejecting the army bill was reconsidered and that bill recommitted to the military committee.

Mr. Stevens of Pa., offered resolutions congratulating the emperor of Russia on his escape from assassination. Mr. Ross of Ill., objected, when Mr. Stevens said he would withdraw them until the one man in favor of assassination could not obstruct them.

The committee on territories reported a substitute for the bill providing a temporary government for Montana, which was passed.

An amendment to the bill enlarging the boundaries of Nevada, and providing that all possessory rights, acquired by citizens to mining claims in the territory added to Nevada, remain valid, was adopted. The bill, as amended, was passed after some debate.

The bill to admit Colorado was taken up. The House refused either to lay it on the table or recommit it; and rejected an amendment that the act shall not take effect until the word "white" is stricken out of the constitution. The bill was then passed without amendment, by a majority of 20.

A joint resolution, to facilitate communication with the western territories by granting lands to borers of artesian wells in places where water cannot be obtained by other means, was passed.

The Senate joint resolution extending the time for the completion of the Union Pacific railway, eastern division, was taken up. Mr. Stevens moved to amend by adding a section, extending for two years the time for commencing and completing the Northern Pacific railroad and all its sections. The amendment was agreed to and the resolution passed.