Newspaper Page Text
THE SCHOOL TEXT BOOK BILL.
JRvldeace a the Alleged. Bribery Matter.
1
The committee appointed by the House
to investigate the charges made by Rep
resentative Brandt, of Brown county, rel
ative to bribery in the school text book
matter, submitted the following report:
Mr. Rice, from the alleged bribery investiga
tion, submitted the following report:
Your committee appointed to investigate
into the truth of charges of bribery
and corruption connected with the Mer
ril school textbook bill respectfully- report
that they have been engaged in said investi
gation at different times since their appoint
ment, with a view of ascertaining the truth of
ach charges, and for that purpose
have called upon all persons who
claimed to know or believe that corrupt means
have been used to defeat said bill, to furnish
said committee with the names of witnesses,
and such other evidence as they might have
knowledge of, and in every instance caused such
witnesses to come before them.
That the testimony so taken is herewith sub
mitted. As to the effect of said testimony or
the bearing thereof, your committee do not feel
called upon to express an opinion, as the testi
mony is very short and easily comprehended by
the House.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
EDMUND RICE,
W. H. FEIXEB,
L. H. BISHOP,
N. RlCHABDSON,
S. L. CAMPBELL.
Mr. W. M. Campbell called for the reading
of the testimony, which was then read by the
chief clerk, as follows:
Chas. C. Brandt, Sworn.
On Friday there seemed to be a rumor afloat
that money was being used in connection with
the school text book bill. Geib, Klossner and
myself room together at the International.
We retired about ten. After we had been in
bed a short time, persons rapped at the door
and called Geib. He got up to let the person
in. I discoveied it to be Anderson, a member
of the House. He stated his desire to speak to
Geib outside the room. Geib and Anderson
left the room. Some time thereafter Geib re
turned. He seemed excited and said the
rumor afloat that money was used on the text
book bill was not all false. He had been
offered money for his vote. Said he had been
at the Merchants Hotel and had been offered
i10 for-his vote. That money was not ten
dered him, but the party took apiece of paper,
and saw it marked 100, and said if the measure
carried, then it was marked 200. Did not state
name of man, but was given to understand
the offer would be open until morning.
Geib seemed indignant, that money should be
offered him. I felt indignant and took it very
seriously. I went to bed and nothing more was
&aid or done about it. After I went to bed I
began to think the matter over, and concluded
it was my duty to get further proof if I could.
The idea never enteied my head that I would
change my vote on any matters. My sole ob
ject was to get hold of money so as to expose
the fact that money was being used.
Next morning the same subject came up. I
concluded to get hold of money to expose the
matter if Geib would go with me as a witness.
Atter breakfast Geib and myself went down
street to the Merchants Hotel. I thought it
must be done before the bill came up for decis
ion. I asked Geib if I could depend on him.
Geib said, "You can depend on me all the
time."
Geib went up'stairs with a man and soon
came down, and motioned for me to come. We
walked up stairs. Geib said he had not taken
money. We went to the loom. Geib intro
duced me to Liberty Hall. Geib left the room.
I sat down.
Hall asked me what I thought of the text
book bill. I said I thought it was a good bill
and ought to pass. He said he thought not.
We had some more general conversation, and
he asked me what I thought of the amend
ments. I said the friends of the measure were
not in favor of amendments. He thought it
ought to be amended. He asked what I thought
of an amendment to make it optional with the
distiictb whether they took books or not. I
said I could vote for it conscientiously, as it
would not affect my district. Then he asked
if he could talk business. I said he might.
He then said he would give me $50 if I would
vote for the amenament.
He then took from his pocket a bill. I was
$50. I put it in my pocket. Then he says.
4"will you vote for that amendment?" I an
swered, as I said before, I can conscientiously."
I then rose to leave the room, having all I was
afterthe evidence to prove that money was
being used, and was now prepared to lay the
money before the House. Hall asked me if
I would vote for other amendments that might
come up. I made no reply. I said to Hall I
was anxious to get to the capitol by nine o'clock
and made no answer to his questions,and imme
diately left the room and found Geib in thefore
general office, waiting for me, and we left for
the capitol. After we left the hotel I showed
the bill to Geib. and told him to take particu
lar notice of the number. I told my story to
Col. Pfaenderand showed him the bill. I then
went to the House and the committee knows
what I did then. I sent the same bill to the
clerk's desk. I asked Geib, on my way to the
capitol, why he left the room, and he said Hall
told him to do so.
John Geib Sworn.
Friday evening last I was in bed. Anderson
came and said a man at the Merchants wanted
to see me. I went and met Liberty Hall. He
tried to get me to vote on the other side of the
bill. From the conversation I thought money
could be got. When I got back Elossner said,
I suppose you are bought." I told them a
man that would vote for the amendment could
be bought. Then Brandt said, I don't think
anything of that kind is going on." Nothing
more was done that night.
Saturday morning, after breakfast, Brandt
came to me and said, I would like to be intro
duced to that man." We then went to the
Merchants Hotel and I introduced him to
Liberty Hall. After I introduced him I left
and know nothing that took place.
After Brandt came down he was awfully ex
cited he asked me if I had taken any money
I told him I had not. After we left the hotel
Brandt pulled out a $50 bill and showed it to
1 me and said, I have the proof on 'em here now.
That is all that took place between him and
me.
Question by Mr. Feller. Did Mr. Anderson
make any improper suggestion to you?
A. He did^ not.
Q. Did you see Hall Friday evening?
A. I did at the Merchants hotel, in the office.
Q. Did he say anything to you about the
money?
A. He*did-not, but-I inferEed-.froni~.what he
said, money could be got.
Q. Did you take the "number of the bill
I shown yotr by Brandt?
A',. A. I did not. I did not look at the bill.
Brandt told me after he sent the bill to the
Clerk's desk that it was No. 2670, to the best of
my recollection. "*f4
Q. Tell us what part Mr. Anderson took.
A. He only told me a friend of mine wanted
to see me. We went on foot.
Q. Did Liberty Hall put any figures on a
card or paper?
4 A. He did not. I only inferred from what
he said that money might be had. I cannot
recollect what he said. It was only my in
ference. He had a card in his hand and held it
upi but made no remarks.
1 did say to Brandt that I saw figures on a
r"""'Mwi'riiimmi
-V^tt^t:* t VW.* iHw*^A4M'-t^(-41^StoiiAii5v
card. Thare were figures on the card do not
recollect what they were: think there was 100
and 200 no dollars marked. I now do recol
lect it.
When I went to Hall he said he wished to
talk with Brandt alone and wished me to re
tire.
Q. By Mr. Richardson:
Did Brandt tell you from whom he received
the $50?
A. He said he got it of Liberty Hall said
he promised to vote for amendment to tex
book bill in consideration of the money.
Q. Do you know anything that you have not
told in reference to bribery or money being
used on the school book bill or inducement to
have men change their votes?
A. I know nothing more.
RecalledI did not tell Klossner that if I
would send men down they could get $100 or
$200, or any words to that effect. Hall nor any
one else ever told me that if I would send men
would votethat down on the amendments they
could get $100 or $200. We joked considerably,
Klossner and myself, and if anything of that
kind was said, it was a joke.
Jacob Klossner Sworn.
Knew Mr. Brandt. Saw him last Friday
evening. After we retired a gentleman called
for Mr. Geib. Geib went off, and when he re
turned he claimed that he had been offered, in
an indirect way, as he thought, money that
is, he saw a card with $100 marked on it, and
was told, so he said, if he would send down one
or two members who could be made use of. he
might do so. and the amount would be doubled.
That is all of that evening. Next morning,
while we were dressing, Geib and Brandt in a
joking way. thought it would be a good plan to
go down and get some money, and then explain
it in the House. I remarked that I didn't want
any of that money. Then after breakfast
Brandt put on his overcoat and stood talking
to a man. I did not know the man. When I
turned around Brandt and Geib were gone. I
never saw them again until I saw them at the
capitol. I was the first man in the capitol. I
did not know that Brandt and Geib went to
the Merchants. First I knew about it Brandt
made the announcement in the House. The
man who came after Geib I think was Ander
son, though it was dark.
Samuel Cr. Anderson, Sworn.
I called at the Commercial hotel, Friday
evening, to see John Geib, my colleague, to try
and induce him to fight the Merrill text-book
bill. I told him that Col. Edson and myself
were opposing the bill, and asked him why he
could not join us, and then we would be a unit
on the question. Said he would be glad to do
so. only he had petitions from his constituents
asking him to support the measure. I told
him if that was the case, I did not want him to
do anything to hurt him at home. Did not go
for him to go to the Merchants, only to see him
nryself. We walked along till we got to the
Merchants. Nothing more haid about the Mer
rill law. We talked about farming, and we sat
and talked a short time at the Merchants, and
Hall came along. 1 did not expect to see Hall.
This conversation about the text-book bill took
place on the street. I wanted to see him alone,
and did not like to talk in the presence of
Brandt as I knew he was on the other side. I
would like to say right here, as my name has
appeared in the Minneapolis paper, that no one
has offered me money to influence my vote or
action in any manner, since I came heie, and I
know o no one who has offered or tried to in
fluence any member of this House with money
or other pecuniaiy offers.
Mr. Anderson returns before the committee,
February 21, and states further, at his own re
quest I told Trewe, at the Merchants' hotel,
that I would regaid it as a great favor if he
would support the amendment to the Merrill
text book bill, which would make it optional
with the districts to take or reject the books.
I told him that I was satisfied that it would be
to his inteiest to support the amendment.
W Mills. Sworn.
Q.You stated on the floor of the House,
that men had been taken up out of their bed
and offered money.
A. All the information I have is. that parties
were taken from their beds on Friday night,
from the International to the Merchants. Mr.
Geib said they came after him after he was in
bed, and took him to the Merchants in a car
riage. He said some offers had been made,
which lie was ready to state when called on.
This was Saturday morning. I regard to
Hyland it was mere rumor I heard it at the
Windsor cannot tell who told me.
Question by chairman:Do you know of any
attempts to influence votes against the text
book bill by money or other pecuniaiy consid
erations?
A.I know of one case but decline to tell I
do not know of the effect of declining to an
swer your question.
Q.Are you aware that by so doing you are
in contempt of the House.
A.I am not. I think the answer would tend
to disgrace me but not criminate me.
MILL'S SECOND APPEARANCE.
Wednesday. Feb. 20.Mr. Mills appears be
the committee and states that on reflection
he knows of nothing that would implicate any
person as trying to influence votes for or against
the so-called text book bill in any corrupt man
ner, and so desires to answer the question pro
posed to him by the chairman and wishes to
have the testimony stricken out after that in
reference to Hyland.
Ole O. Iiien. Sworn.
I do not know of any money being used by
any person on the Merrill text book bill. I
have never been approached by any person, or
tried to influence any one with money in any
corrupt manner.
W. Williams, Sworn.
I have never been offered money, nor offered
money, and know of no one using money to
influence votes on the so-called Merrill text
book bill.
E. Hyland, Sworn.
I have never been offered money, or any val
uable consideration to vote for the so-called
Merrill text book bill, and know of none being
offered.
Jacob Trewe, Sworn.
I was told I could get $50 if I would vote for
the amendments. Anderson came to me at the
Merchants, and said he could do me a great
favor, if I would vote for the amendments. I
then left with Mr. Null, and Mr. NuU said, if I
would got Mr. Barthel and tell him
so that each could get $50, if we would vote for
the amendment. I told him, "No." He said,
"Go along with us, and you can get $50 now
or in the morning." That is all that was said.
We did not go anywhere. Did not tell me
I whiaecould get the $50.
Edward Nail Sworn.
I do not-know of ahymembe of the House
being offered any, money or valuable consider
atidn for the purpose of inducing them to vote
for or against the so-called Merrill school text
book bill, or for amendments to be offered to
the same, which bill is now pending in the
House. I never told any member of the House
that he could get $50 for voting either for or
against amendments to said bill. I had a con
versation with Mr. Trewe, and only gave him
my opinion as to the merits of the bill. Think
talked to him about ,the reports that ,were
contained in the Dispatch about money being
used to bribe members, but did not say to him
that he could get $50, if he would go and get
MfrKraaaflgW^q^e^i-^gsg.a aJm gfa
"m^, ,_ V':tfiM%sible
Liberty Hall Sworn.
Question by chairman. Have you offered
money or any other valuable consideration to
any member of the Legislature, as an induce-
ment for him to vote against the so-called sup
plementary text book bill, or in favor of any
pending or proposed amendments offered
thereto?
Answer. I have not and do not know of any
money being offered for that purpose.
Q. Are you in the employ of any publishing
house?
A. Yes the house of A. S. Barnes & Co., and
no other.
Q. Have you, as such, endeavored to defeat
said bill?
A. I have. I have conversed with different
members of the House and Senate.
Q. Have you talked with Mr. Brandt, of the
House?
A. I did.
Q. State briefly the circumstances, and
what was said and done.
A.Saturday morning Mr. Brandt came to
room 21 in the Merchants hotel with Mr. Geib.
Geib introduced him to me when Brandt
stepped into the room. The first I recollect
that was said was by Brandt, that he called to
talk about the text book bill. Said he should
support the amendment to the text book bill
making it optional with the districts to take
books or not, and he said he intended to do so.
We talked for several minutes. I" gave him
my reasons for opposing the bill. Asked me
what I thought of the amendment including
cities. I replied that I did not consider it
essential, and did not think it right that cities
or towns should be compelled to use the books
that it seemed to me the best way to get along
was to leave it optional with the distriits.
Brandt said he thought so too and intended to
vote for the amendment making it optional.
That was all that was said about the text book
bill. Then talked on other subjects about
the grasshopper troubles said his county suf
fered, and he had suffered, and was hard up.
Nothing more had been said as to how he in
tended to vote on the text book bill. Mr.
Brandt is in my congressional district. I never
met him before this time. I did not procure
the appointment for him to come to my room,
and did not know that he was coming. 1 took
him to be an influential man in his communi
ty. When Brand't got up to leave the room I
gave him fifty dollars. It was my own money,
and not given with any idea of procuring his
vote on that amendment, as he had stated un
qualifiedly that he was a friend of the amend
ment. The point I had in my mind was to
secure him as a friend in case I wanted his
assistance in political matters in the future.
Q.Did you converse with Geib the night
before at the Merchants?
A.I did.
Q.What was the conversation?
A.It was brief cannot hardly tell but the
substance wascan't you give me a lift on this
bill. He told me he could not, and that was
about all he said his constituents were in favor
of the bill, and that ended the conversation as
far as I know.
Q.Did you intimate to him that parties
that would vote for the bill could get $100, or
any sum?
A.I did not. I had an envelope in my
hand did not show it to him, to my knowl
edge. What was in the envelope I do not know.
This was in the office or saloon of the hotel. I
am not positive whether I asked him if he
could not get another member. If I did, I
have forgotten it. I did not send anyone to
bring Geib to the hotel.
Q.Have you paid out any money for, or
belonging to any parties in order to defeat this
Merrill text book bill?
A.Not to any member of the Legislature,
but have employed one or two to help defeat
the bill for a shoit time not connected with the
Legislature. I did not see Geib, to my knowl
edge, on the moining that Brandt came to my
room until he brought Brandt. He came to
the door and introduced Brandt, and left im
mediately.
Col. Pfaender, Sworn.
Saturday morning last Brandt came to my
office and showed me a fifty dollar bill said he
had found out there was money being used to
defeat the text book bill said the bill had
been tendered to him as a bribe to vote for the
amendment to the text book bill, and he had
determined to expose it, and asked me to take
the number of the bill I did so it was No.
2670, Government No. V, 129144, $50.
B. Fanning, Sworn.
Question. Have you any knowledge of money
being offered tt any member of the Legislature
to induce him to vote on the text book bill, or
any other question coming before the Legisla
ture?
A. I have not. PROPOSED ACTION.
After hearing the entire testimony
Mr. West offered the following, which
after some discussion, went over under notice
of debate by Mr. Buffum:
WHEREAS. The report of the committee of
this House, appointed to investigate into the
matter of the alleged bribery of Hon. Charles
Brandt, a member of the House of Representa
tives, discloses the fact that Liberty Hall, on
the 16th day of February, A. D., 1878, at the
city of St. Paul, in this State, did wilfully and
corruptly give one fifty-dollar bill, of the value
of fifty dollars, to the Hon. Charles Brandt,
then and there a member of this House, for
the purpose of corruptly tempting and compen
sating said Hon. Charles Brandt to vote cor
ruptly and under restraint for certain amend
ments to be proposed to the Merrill text book
bill, then pending before the House and that
said Hon. Charles Brandt did receive said fifty
dollar bill therefore,
Sesohed, That Liberty Hall be, and hereby
is in contempt of this House of Representa
tives for his wilful and corrupt conduct in
bribing, or attempting to bribe said Hon.
Charles Brandt, one of its members, while the
House of Representatives was in session and
that the said House of Representatives hereby
directs its honorable Speaker to cause the
sergeant-at-arms of the House to forthwith
arrest said Liberty Hall, and biing him before
the body of the house to receive its censure,
and to abide its future action in the premises.
A Popular Garment not Made by
Worth.
A Paris correspondent, writing of
fashion, says: Perhaps your iair readers
would be glad to know that the newest
thing in the way af a visiting costume is
an invention of Froment, the successful
rival of Worth. He is making little tur
capes, called palantines, which are worn
on reception dresses. They are very
small, coming only to the point of the
shouldes, and, are made of some costly
furRussian sable or silver foxlined
with cardina red or other colored satins,
and trimed with old duchess or Italian
lace. They are tied at the throat with
great bows of bright-colored ribbons, and
sometimes have a variety of shades
blended in one knot. These are worn on
entering the reception room, even with
extremely light-hued costumes. They
agree very well with the small muffs
which are all the fashion. In nothing,
by the way, have so many novelties ap
peared as in the last named article of
woman's dress. The muffs now worn are
microscopic ia size and made of all pos
materials, including velvet, satin
and plush. Some of the fine folk have
their monograms or jsoats of arms, em
broidered on them others wear them or-
namented with bouquets of flowers or
birds nestling in a bunch of ribbons, and
still others have them made entirely of
feathers: but in all cases the muffs are
highly perfumed, so that they are in re
ality nothing but sachets for perfuming
small, fair hands. A muff rightly worn
lends as much grace to a woman's toilet
as a fan, and how admirably do the Paris
ians know how to use one!
THE SILVER RILL.
Fall Text of the President's Veto ategsage.
To the House of Representatives:
After very careful consideration' of
House bill 193, entitled, "An act to author
ize the coinage of the standard silver dol
lar and to restore its legal tender charac-
ter," I feel compelled to return it to the
House of representatives, in which it orig
inated with my objections to its passage.
Holding the opinion which I expressed in
my annual message that neither the inter
ests of the government nor the people of
the United States would be promoted by
disparaging silver as one of the two pre
cious metals which furnish the coinage of
the world, and that legislation which
looks to maintaining the volume of in
trinsic money to as full a measure oi both
metals .as their relative commercial values
will permit, would be neither unjust nor
inexpedient, it has been my earnest desire
to concur with Congress in the adoption
of such measures to increase the silver
coinage of the country as would not im
pair the obligation of contracts either
public or piivate, nor injuriously affect
the public credit. It is only upon con
viction that tnis bill does not meet these
essential requirements that I feel it my
duty to withhold from it my approval
My present official duty as to this bill
permits only an atttention to specific ob
jections to its passage which seem to" me
so important as to justify me in askiDg
from the wisdom and duty of Congress
that further consideration of the bill for
which the constitution has in such cases
provided.
The bill provides jor the coinage of sil
ver dollars of the weight of 412 1-2
grains each, of standard silver, to be le^
gal tendtr at their nominal value for all
debts and clues, public and pr'vate, ex
cept where otherwise expresslyjstipulated
in the contrasts. It is well known that
the market value ot that number of
grains of standard silver during the past
year has been from ninty to ninty-two
cents, as compared with the standaid
gold dollar. Thus the silver dollar, au
thorized^ this bill, is worth S to 10 per
cent, lessjthan it purports to be worth and
is made a legal tender for debts con
tracted when the law did not recognize
such coins as lawful money. The right to
pay duties in silver or in certificates of
silver desposits will when they are issued
insufficient amount to circulate put
an end to the receipts of revenue value in
gold and thus compel the payment of
silver for both the principal and interest
of the public debt. $1,143,493,400 dol
lars of the bonded debt now outstand
ing was issued prior to February, 1873,
when the silver dollar was unknown in
circulation in this country, and was only a
convenient form of silver bullion for ex
portation.
$583,440,350 of the funded debt has
been issued since February, 1873, when
gold alone was the coin in which both
parties to the contract understood that
the bonds would be paid. These bonds
entered into the markets of the world.
They were paid for in gold, when silver
had greatly depreciated and when no
one would have bought them if it had
been understood thev would be paid in
silver. The sum ot $225,000,000 of these
bonds has been sold during my adminis
tration for gold coin, and the United
states received the benefit of these sales,
by a reduction ot the rate of interest to
4 per cent. During the progress of these
sales a doubt was suggested as to the
coin in which the payment of these bonds
would be made. The public announce
ment was thereupon authorized that it
was not to be anticipated that any furth
er legislation of Congress, or any action
of any department of the government
would sanction or tolerate tne redemption
of the principal of these bonds, or the
payment of interest thereon in coin of
less value than the coin authorized by
law at the time of the issue of the bonds,
being the coin exacted by the govern
ment in exchange for the same. In view
of these facts it will be justly regarded
as a grave breach of the public faith to
undertake to pay these bonds, principal
and interest, in silver coin, worth in the
market less than the coin received for
them.
It is said that the silver dollar made a
legal tender by this bill, will, under its
operations, be equivalent in value to the
gold dollar. Many supporters of the bill
believe this, and would not justify an at
tempt to pay debts, either public or pri
vate, in coin of inferior value to the mon
ey of the world.
The capital defect of the bill is, that it
contains no provision protecting trom its
operation pre-existing debts, in case the
coinage which it creates shall continue to
be of less value than that which was the
sole legal tender when they were con
tracted. If it is now proposed for. the
purpose of taking advantage of the de
preciation of silver in payment of debts,
to coin and make a legal tender a silver
dollar of less commercial value than any
dollar, whether of gold or paper, which
is now lawful money in this country, such
measure, it will hardly be questioned,
will, in the judgment of mankind, be an
act of bad faith. As to all debts hereto
fore contracted, the silver dollar should
be made a legal tender only at its market
value. The standard of value should not
be changed except by consent' of both
parties to the contract.
National promises should be kept with
unflinching*fidelity! There is no- power
to compel the nation to pay its just debts.
Its credit depends on its honor. The
nation owes what it had led or allowed
its creditors to expect. I cannot approve a
bill which in nyy judgment, authorizes
the violation of the sacred obligations.
The obligation of public faith transcends
all questions of profit or public advant
age. Its unquestionable maintenance is
the dictate as well ot the highest exped
iency as of the most necessary duty and
should ever be carefully guarded by the
Executive, by Congress and by the people.
It is my firm conviction .that if the
country is to be benefitted by a silver
coinage it can be done only by. the issue
of silver dollars of full value, which will
in the end defraud no man. A currency
worth less than it purports to be worth
will in the end defraud not only creditors
but all Who are engaged in legitimate
business, and none more assuredly than
those who are dependent on their daily
labor for their daily bread.
(Signed) RUTHERFOKD B. HAYES,
President of the United States.
Executive Mansion. Feb. 28, 1877.
Immediately upon the reception of the
message both branches of Congress passed
the bill over the veto by the required
two-thirds vote.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.Feb. 25.Mr. Conkhng pr
sented the petition of James Gordon Bennett
for congressional aid to his projected North
Pole expedition. Mr. Wallace introduced a
bill providing for the subsides to ocean mail
lines. Mr. Voorhees' resolution for an in
quiry into expenditure of money by Indian
tribes of Indian Territory, in support of dele
gates in Washington, was adopted. Bills re
lating to the Pacific railroads were introduced
und referred. Mr. Plumb submitted an
amendment to the military academy bill re
lating to the manner of filling aeancie
the army. An amendment to the revised
statutes relating to forage and mounting of
army officers was passed. The house joint
resolution to authorize the issue of arms to a
military company in Charleston passed.
HOUSE, Feb. 25.A number of bills
were introduced, among them several finan
cial measures for the issue of United States
bonds, their substitution for national bank
notes, the free coinage of silver, etc. Bills
were reported from committees and variou&ly
disposed of, among them Banning's army bill,
which was reported back, and the bill to trans
fer the Indian bureau to the war department,
hich was referred to the committee of the
whole. (.The bill to forfeit certain railroad land
grants was ordered printed and recommitted.
The house went into committee of the whole
on the Mexican pension bill, but rose without
action and adjourned.
SENATE, Feb. 26th.Mr. Ferry was
elected president pro tem.in the absence of the
vice president by one majority. A resolution
was adopted instructing the commissioner of
agriculture to investigate diseases of hogs.
Other resolutions and bills weie considered
without action.
HOUS E, Feb. 2G Committees were
called for reports, after which Chalmers of
1
6-
sissippi made a speech upon southern matters,
attacking the returning board of Louisiana.
Mr. Butler made his" previously announced
speech on the finances, which consumed the
rest of the session.
SENATE, Feb. 27.Petitions, resolu
tions and minor bills was introduced and dis
cussed without action. The house bill to
authorize the temporary appointment of
pension agents to prevent delay in the pay
ment of pensions in case of vacancies, came
up and caused considerable discussion, Blaine,
Conkling ond other malcontents opposing the
bill as irtended solely for the relief of the
newly appointed pension agents in Nw York,
The bill finally passed, 44 to S.
4 HOUS E, Feb. 27th.A bill to restore
urgcon General Hammond to the army rolls
was passed. Bills were passed pro\iding for
the^publication of the revised statues, grant
ing the use of tents, ammunition, etc., to the
soldiers' reunionjat Marietta, and issuing arms
and ammunition to Idaho Territory. The bill
for pensioning Mexican veterans was taken ur
and after discussion in committee of the whole
went over and the house adjourned.
SENATE. Feb. 28.Several bills were
reported and placed on the calender. Mi
Beck tried to call up his bill declaring it in
expedient to levy taxes to" maintain the sink
ing fund, but the senate refused. Mr. Chaffee
introduced a bill organizing the Territorj of
Lincoln. The bill authorizing a special term
of court in southern Mississippi came up, and
pending its discussion a message was received
from the house announcing that body had
passed the silver bill over the presidents veto.
The senate then passed the bill, 46 to 19. Th
bill changing time of holding court in Missis
sippi was then passed, and the senate adjourn
ed until Monday.
HOUS E, Feb. 28th-A bill reported
from the naval committee requiring tnat all
appropriations for the navy department should
be made in specific detail was passed. Some
minor reports were made when a message was
received from the president vetoing the sih er
bill. The bill was again put upon its passage
and passed, 196 to 73, notwithstanding the ob
jections of the president. After a brief sitting
of the house in committee of the whole on the
Mexican pension bill the house adjourned,
fi HOUS E, Mareh 1.Mr. Whyte asked
leave to offer a resolution directing the secre
tary of the treasury to institute legal pro
ceedings against snch persons as have en
gaged in the importation of iron and tin
plates galvanized with any metal otherwise
than by electro battery, that have fraudulently
or illegally paid less than the legal rates of
duty thereon, or who have fraudulently
caused to be levied or collected lc6S tnan the
legal duty thereon, and to enforce the penal
ties thereon both in civil and criminal courts
of the United States. Mr. Whyte explained
that the resolution would enforce the collect
ion of $30,090 of unpaid duty that has been
evaded by importers of tin plates.
Milwaukee Produce Market.
GRAINWheat opened firm at %c lower, and
closed easier No. 1 hard $1.14 No. 1$1.13X
No. 2 $1.09X February $1.09 March $1.09
April $1.09% No. 3 $1.03. Corn, scarce and
nominal No. 2, 44c. Oats, in fair demand and
strong No. 2 25c. Rye, scarce No. 1 55c bid.
Barley, dull and nominal No. 2, 54c March
55c.
PROVISIONSNominallyl
i
a shade firmer
mess pork $10.30. Lard, prime steam $7.30.
Chicago Produce Market.
GRAINWheat, active firm and higher at
No. 1 Chicago $1.10 No. 2 Chicago gilt edge,
$1.09 regular $1.08% cash $1.08*1 March
$1.08% April No. 3 Chicago $1.03}@4.00
rejected 91c. Corn fairly active and a shade
higher at at 42)c cash 42 March 42%
April 43}c May. Oats, dull, and nominal
gilt edge 24%@25c cash 24%c@24J^c March
24%c April 27Jc May. Rye, steady and
unchanged at 55c. Barley, firmer at 47c.
New York Produce Market.
GRAINWheat receipts 168,000 bus un
graded spring $1.28@1.29 No. 2 red winte
$1.33@1.33K No. 1 do $1.36 No. 2 Milwau
.kee short $1.26 No. 1 Northwestern $1.28
1.28X No. 2 Northwestern $1.25
1.27. Rye, firm No. 1 western 72c. Barley,
quiet. Malt dull. Corn, unchanged and de
mand moderate receipts 46,000 bus. Oats,
dull receipts 24,000 bus No. 2 white 85@
35Kc No. 1 do 35c mixed western 84@87c.
7
~!','',-&l
