Mr. Voorhees submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That, if not incompatible with the public interests, the President be, and he is hereby, requested to inform the Senate how many acres of land in the Indian Territory have been surveyed into sections and quarter-sections; for what purpose said survey has been made, and how much land remains in said Territory not surveyed. Also, what amount of lands were owned by the several tribes of Indians previous to the treaties of 1866, and whether the Indian title to any of such lands has been extinguished since said treaties were made; and, if so, to what extent, and for what consideration. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Adams, its Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives has passed the following resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Clerk of the House be authorized and directed, in the enrollment of the act entitled "An act for the removal of obstructions from the Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, and Red Rivers, and for the preservation of the public property," to substitute the word under for the word "in," where it occurs in line 4, section 2, of the engrossed bill. The House of Representatives has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate : H. R. 1639. An act making an appropriation for pier-lights at the entrance of the jetties in the South Pass of the Mississippi River. H. R. 1928. An act to change the name of the steam-tug C. M. Whittaker to Caroline. H. R. 2887. An act to authorize the granting of an American reg ister to a foreign-built ship for the purposes of the Woodruff Scientific Expedition around the World. The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed three enrolled bills (S. 412, S. 461, and H. R. 2013) and an enrolled joint resolution (H. R. 83), I am directed to bring them to the Senate for the signature of its President. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution last received from the House of Representatives for concurrence, authorizing the Clerk of the House to correct an error in the engrossment of the bill therein named, and Resolved, That the Senate agree thereto. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof. Mr. Paddock reported from the committee that they had examined and found duly enrolled the following bills and joint resolution: S. 412. An act to punish embezzlement in the District of Columbia, and to protect the records of said District, and for other purposes. S. 461. An act to further regulate the purchase of material for the polic printing and binding. H. R. 2013. An act to remove the political disabilities of Charles L. Scott, of Wilcox County, Alabama. H. R. 83. Joint resolution accepting a painting tendered to Congress by Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson. The bills (H. R. 1639, H. R. 1928, and H. R. 2887) last received from the House of Representatives for concurrence were severally read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. The Vice-President announced that the morning hour had expired, and called up the unfinished business of the Senate at its adjournment yesterday, viz, the bill (H. R. 1093) to authorize the free coinage of the standard silver dollar, and to restore its legal-tender character; and The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the said bill; and, The question being on the first amendment reprorted by the Committee on Finance, Pending debate, On motion by Mr. Dorsey, The Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and After the consideration of executive business the doors were opened, and, On motion by Mr. Cameron, of Wisconsin, at 3 o'clock and 40 minutes p. m., The Senate adjourned. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1878. The Vice-President signed the three enrolled bills (S. 412, S. 461, and H. R. 2013) and the enrolled joint resolution (H. R. 83) last reported to have been examined, and they were delivered to the committee to be presented to the President of the United States. Mr. Cameron, of Wisconsin, presented a memorial of the legislature of Wisconsin, praying for the enactment of laws for the improvement of the condition of the Oueida tribe of Indians located in that State; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, presented a petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying the passage of a law for the equalization of bounties; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Edmunds presented a petition of citizens of New York, praying an amendment of the pension-laws so as to extend the limitation of the time for obtaining arrears of pensions to July 4, 1880; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Ingalls presented the petition of Elisha M. Luckett, praying to be allowed a pension for services rendered in the Mexican war. Ordered, That it lie on the table. Mr. Burnside presented the petition of William Alexander, praying to be allowed a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Booth presented a resolution of the legislature of California, in favor of an appropriation for the purpose of erecting a building for a post office in the city of San Francisco, in that State; which was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Edmunds presented the petition of G. W. Monteith, praying an. amendment of the pension laws, extending the limitation of the time. for obtaining arrears of pensions to July 4, 1880; which was referred: to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Booth presented a memorial of citizens of San Francisco, California, remonstrating against the extension of E. N. Horsford's patent for an acid substitute for cream of tartar; which was referred to the Committee on Patents. Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, presented the resolutions of dealers and manufacturers of tobacco, of Philadelphia, remonstrating against the proposed reduction of the tax on that article; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Christiancy presented a memorial of citizens of Michigan, remon strating against a reduction of the duties on imported wools; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Davis, of Illinois, presented a petition of merchants of the city of New York, praying the rates of duty on imported linen goods may be reduced to a single and uniform rate; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Voorhees presented the memorial of James D. Williams, gov. ernor of Indiana, on behalf of that State, asking an appropriation for the payment to States entitled thereto of the unpaid balances of actual expenses incurred by them, respectively, for enrolling, arming, and equipping and supplying troops to aid in the suppression of the late rebellion; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed. Mr. Hamlin presented a resolution of the legislature of Maine, remon strating against the remonetization of silver. Ordered, That it lie on the table and be printed. Mr. Allison presented a petition of citizens of Iowa, praying for the repeal of the law requiring stamps on medicines and other proprietary articles; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Voorhees presented the petition of the Essex County Greenback Club of Newark, New Jersey, praying for the remonetization of the sil ver dollar, the repeal of the resumption act, and for other financial reforms; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Wallace presented a petition of citizens of the United States, praying the appointment of a commission of inquiry as to the alcoholicliquor traffic; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Kernan presented twelve petitions of citizens of New York, in favor of the remonetization of silver and repeal of the resumption act; which were referred to the Committee on Finance. Memorials, remonstrating against any reduction in the rates of duty on foreign imports and the restoration of duties on tea and coffee, were presented as follows: By Mr. Hamlin: A memorial of citizens of Maine. By Mr. Davis, of Illinois: A memorial of citizens of Illinois. By Mr. Eaton: A memorial of citizens of Connecticut. By Mr. Beck: A memorial of citizens of Kentucky. By Mr. Wallace: A memorial of citizens of Pennsylvania. By Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania: Six memorials of citizens of Pennsylvania. Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, presented a petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying the passage of a law authorizing the restoration of Edward H. Lieb, late captain Fifth United States Cavalry, to his former rank and position in the Army; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Dorsey presented a petition of citizens, claimants, and occupants of the Hot Springs reservation, Arkansas, praying an extension of the time, as provided in the act of March 3, 1877, to allow the commissioners to complete the work contemplated thereby; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Wadleigh presented a memorial of Rebecca Miller and Augustus. Miller, praying to be allowed a pension on account of the services of their father, Brigadier General James Miller, in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Conover presented a memorial of citizens of Florida, praying a further appropriation for continuing the improvement of the naviga tion of the water approaches to the harbor of Cedar Keys, Florida; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Wallace presented the memorial of H. Nye, of Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, praying an amendment of the Constitution protecting all American citizens in the enjoyment of their equal religious rights and liberties; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Edmunds presented papers of James M. Carpenter, relating to his application for a pension; which were referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Bailey, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, to whom was referred the bill (S. 251) for the relief of Henry M. Vance and Harry C. Chase, of Ltttle Rock, Arkansas, reported it without amend ment, and that it ought not to pass. The Senate proceeded to consider the said bill as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate. Ordered, That it be postponed indefinitely. Mr. McMillan, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of Elisha Basse, submitted an adverse report (No. 48) thereon; and The report was agreed to. Leave having been obtained, bills were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as follows: By Mr. Edmunds: A bill (S. 641) granting a pension to James M. Carpenter; to the Committee on Pensions. By Mr. Cameron, of Wisconsin: A bill (S. 642) to establish a postroute in Wisconsin; to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. By Mr. Barnum: A bill (S. 643) for the relief of Thomas Lucas; to the Committee on the District of Columbia. By Mr. Barnum: A bill (S. 644) for the relief of Dwight W. Hakes; to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Plumb: A bill (S. 645) for the relief of certain postmasters and late postmasters in the State of Kansas; to the Committee on PostOffices and Post-Roads. By Mr. Beck: A bill (S. 646) to provide for the purchase of a suitable building for the use of the United States courts holden at Louisville, Kentucky; to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Anthony submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to furnish to the Senate any information in his department relative to the improvement of Providence River and Narragansett Bay, with an estimate of the cost of such improvement. Mr. Sargent submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee on Appropriations, or its subcommittee, in investigating the affairs of the Freedmen's Hospital have power to send for persons and papers, administer oaths, and employ a stenographer. The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the following bills; and no amendment being made, they were severally reported to the Senate: S. 196. A bill to further define the rights of persons with respect to homestead entries on the public lands. S. 217. A bill for the relief of John A. Shaw. S. 364. A bill for the relief of Peasley and McClary, of Nashua, New Hampshire. S. 414. A bill making appropriations for the erection of suitable posts for the protection of the Rio Grande frontier. Ordered, That they be engrossed and read a third time. The said bills were read the third time. Resolved, That they pass, and that the respective titles thereof be as aforesaid. Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein. On motion by Mr. Hamlin, The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the joint resolution (H. R. 85) extending the thanks of Congress to Henry M. Stanley; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate. Ordered, That it pass to a third reading. The said resolution was read the third time. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof. On motion by Mr. Cockrell, The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill (S. 33) for the relief of R. W. Corbin and others; and, The question being on the amendment reported by the Committee on Military Affairs. Pending debate, The Vice-President announced that the morning hour had expired, and called up the unfinished business of the Senate at its adjournment yesterday, viz, the bill (H. R. 1093) to authorize the free coinage of the standard silver dollar, and to restore its legal-tender character; and The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the said bill; and, Ordered, That the further consideration of the bill be postponed to Monday next. On motion by Mr. Sargent, Ordered, That when the Senate adjourn it be to Monday next. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1878. The Vice-President laid before the Senate a letter of the Secretary of War, transmitting, in obedience to law, an abstract of the militia force of the United States. Ordered, That it lie on the table and be printed. Mr. Maxey presented the petition of Anson Mills, praying compensa. tion for the use and occupancy of his property in El Paso County, Texas, by the United States troops; which was referred to the Committee on Claims. Petitions, praying the appointment of a commission to investigate the traffic in intoxicating liquors, were presented as follows: By Mr. Howe: A petition of the Good Templars of Wisconsin. By Mr. Allison: A petition of citizens of Iowa. By Mr. Oglesby: A petition of citizens of Illinois. By Mr. Windom: A petition of Good Templars of Minnesota. |