By Mr. Walker: Papers relating to the claim of P. G. Coglan, for pay for property seized by United States authorities; to the Committee on War-Claims. By Mr. Charles G. Williams: Papers relating to the claim of E. T. Pilkinton, for pay for revenue-stamps burned; to the Committee of Claims. Also, papers relating to the petition of the Brothertown Indians, that they be granted patents to certain lauds; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Also, papers relating to the petition of James H. Cook, for a pension; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, papers relating to the petition of Dabney Walker, for compensation for services as a scout and guide in the Army of the Potomac ; to the Committee on War-Claims. Also, papers relating to the petition of Charles W. Wood, for a correction of his Army record; to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also, papers relating to the claim of John L. Williams, for compensation for services rendered by Eleazer Williams in the war of 1812; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Also, papers relating to the petition for relief of Matthew Hulzer; to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also, the petitions of Matilda Shields and Mary Jane Veazie, for compensation for the rent, occupation, and destruction of property by the United States; to the Committee on War Claims. By Mr. Albert S. Willis: The petitions of Sarah Woodall and Nancy Hughes, for pensions; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions; Also, the petition of Blanton Duncan, trustee, for compensation for the use and destruction of certain property in Columbia, South Carolina, by the United States Army; to the Committee on War-Claims. Also, the petition of William Cornwall, for the passage of the bill (H. R. No. 354) to regulate commerce among the States; to the Committee on Commerce. The Speaker laid before the House the following letter, viz: NOVEMBER 5, 1877. To the honorable the Speaker and House of Representatives: GENTLEMEN: Having been unexpectedly called to fill another position, which I must regard as providential, I hereby tender my resignation as Chaplain to the House, to take effect after Wednesday next. When I remember the cordial support and the complimentary manner in which the chaplaincy was conferred upon me, I confess I retire from the position with unfeigned regret. Be assured, gentlemen, never while memory holds her seat, by which I mean the memory of the heart, shall I forget your kindly interest and courteous bearing toward me during the brief period of my official and social relations to the Forty-fifth Congress. Praying God's blessing upon our common country, and with best wishes for you all personally, I am, gentlemen, Faithfully, your friend and servant, JOHN POISAL. Mr. Stephens, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolu tion; which was read, considered, and unanimously agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the House has heard the letter just read with feelings of deep regret; and in parting with Dr. Poisal we return him our sincere thanks for the manner in which he has discharged his duties. The best wishes of the House go with him in his new sphere of usefulness. Mr. Whitthorne, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee of Accounts, viz: Resolved, That the Clerk of the House be authorized and directed to pay George V. Hebb, out of the contingent fund, the amount which may be due him for services rendered as doorkeeper to the diplomatic gallery from the 5th of January, 1877, to the 1st of November, 1877. On motion of Mr. Stephens, by unanimous consent, Ordered, That the Committee of Elections be discharged from the further consideration of the bill of the House (H. R. 282) prescribing the form of credentials of Representatives-elect, and directing the manner in which the roll of the House of Representatives shall be prepared, and the same was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Stephens moved to reconsider the vote last taken, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Robertson, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee of Accounts, viz: Resolved, That a clerk be allowed to the Committee on the Mississippi Levees, whose salary shall be fixed by the Committee of Accounts, and who shall be paid out of the contingent fund of this House. The regular order being demanded, the Speaker announced the regu lar order of business to be the consideration of the special order, viz, (H. R. 805,) to repeal the third section of the act entitled "An act to provide for the resumption of specie payments," and amendments thereto, pending when the House adjourned on yesterday. The House having proceeded to their consideration, After debate, Mr. Kelley, at 3 o'clock and 50 minutes p. m., moved that the House adjourn. Pending which, Mr. Tucker, by unanimous consent, introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 38) authorizing the payment of Rev. John Poisal, D. D., late Chaplain of the House of Representatives, for the time of his service as such, without taking the oaths prescribed by law; which was read twice, engrossed, read the third time, and passed. Mr. Tucker moved to reconsider the vote last taken, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the said bill. The Speaker, by unanimous consent, laid before the House communications from the Secretary of the Treasury; which were referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed, viz: I. A letter in reference to the compensation of the commissions to examine the custom-houses of the principal ports of the United States. II. A letter transmitting an estimate of appropriation for deficiencies in salaries and contingent expenses in the Executive Office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to Mr. Chalmers for one week. Mr. Blount, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported a bill (H. R. 1220) to provide for certain deficiencies in the pay of the Navy and the pay of the Marine Corps, and for other purposes; which bill was read twice, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Samuel S. Cox reserved all points of order on the said bill. By unanimous consent, bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read twice, ordered to be printed, and severally referred as follows, viz: By Mr. Henry R. Harris: A bill (H. R. 1221) for the relief of John M. Ward, late postmaster at West Point, Georgia; to the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads. By Mr. Forney: A joint resolution (H. Res. 39) in relation to suspending payment of the claims of Benjamin Weil, No. 447, and the La Abra Silver Mining Company, No. 489, in the American docket of the late joint commission of the United States and Mexico; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. Jacob D. Cox: A bill (H. R. 1222) to authorize the appoint. ment of an assistant judge-advocate in the United States Army; to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Albert S. Willis: A bill (H. R. 1223) for the benefit of Mrs. Mary T. Duncan, of Louisville, Kentucky; to the Committee on War-Claims. Also, a bill (H. R. 1224) for the relief of Will R. Hervey ; to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Blackburn: A bill (H. R. 1225) for the relief of Rosa Vertner Jeffrey, of Kentucky; to the Committee on War-Claims. Also, a bill (H. R. 1226) for the relief of A. S. Bloom, late a major in the Seventh Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry; to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also, a bill (H. R. 1227) for the relief of William H. Gray, of Kentucky; Also, a bill (H. R. 1228) for the relief of D. W. Price and Thomas Akers; to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Finley: A bill (H. R. 1229) granting a pension to Marcus Le Mass, of Ohio; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. Blair: A bill (H. R. 1230) to facilitate the sale and settlement of the public lands granted to aid in the construction of railroads and .lines of telegraph; to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad. By Mr. Neal: A joint resolution (H. Res. 40) instructing the Secretary of War to correct the enrollment of Robert Scott, Company F, Twentyseventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. John H. Baker: A bill (H. R. 1231) to authorize the issue of legal-tender notes, redeemable in coin on demand, in payment for gold or silver bullion deposited at the mints of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking and Currency. By Mr. Charles G. Williams: A bill (H. R. 1232) authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to adjust the claim of John Whittaker against the United States of America; to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr. Banks: A bill (H. R. 1233) for the relief of Herman E. Davidson and heirs of Charles H. Davidson; to the Committee on Patents. By Mr. Money: A bill (H. R. 1234) to amend so much of an act entitled "An act making appropriation for sundry civil expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878," as provides for paying certain mail-contractors of the Southern States for services prior to the late war; to the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads. Mr. Gibson, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolu tion; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Levees shall be styled Committee on Levees and Improvement of the Mississippi River. Mr. Gibson moved to reconsider the vote last taken, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. By unanimous consent, resolutions were submitted and referred to the Committee of Accounts, viz: By Mr. Joseph J. Davis: Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay out of the contingent fund of the House, to the following-named pages, for services rendered from October 15, 1877, to November 1, 1877; F. A. Wright, B. Whitley, and to G. H. Weber, for five days. By Mr. Banks: Resolved, That there be paid out of the contingent fund of the House to John H. McCormick, for services as deputy in the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, the sum of $510, one hundred and two days' services, at $5 per day, from the 5th day of March until the 14th day of June, 1877, inclusive. By Mr. Blackburn: Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to pay to James M. Johns the sum of $50, for services as messenger on the floor of the House from Octo ber 15 to November 1, 1877. By Mr. Springer: Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and he is, authorized and directed to pay, out of the contingent fund of the House, the following-named pages, for services from October 15 to October 31, inclusive: James W. Friend, Frank Duncan, Arthur May, Frank Sebring, Frank Angerer, H. Schultes, T. G. Bryan, Edward Yost, Harry Blacklock, Edward Donoghue, Graham L. Gordon, Edward Finley, Charles Waller, Frank Donnelly. On motion of Mr. Springer, the said resolution was referred to the Committee of Accounts, with instructions to consider any other cases of a similar character. Mr. Wood, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the War Department, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to furnish the House of Representatives, at the earliest practicable moment, the following information: The number of commissioned medical officers of the United States Army now on duty in the District of Columbia; the name, rank, and pay, rations and emoluments (in kind or commuted) of each; the gross commutation, value of all emoluments of each, the cost to the govern ment of such rations or emoluments as are not commuted; the duty to which each officer is assigned, and the time he has been assigned thereto; and the difference in pay, rations, or emoluments (in kind or commuted) in each case between the present station of each officer and of the same officer if stationed on the frontier. The number of contract-surgeons now employed in the District of Columbia; the name, rank, pay, rations, and emoluments (whether in kind or commuted) of each; the duty to which each is assigned, and the times he has been assigned thereto; whether any, and, if so, which, of said contract-surgeons are engaged in private practice, and, if so, to what extent. The number of contract-surgeons employed by the Surgeon-General of the Army who are not graduates in medicine, giving the same information in each case as is requested in the preceding paragraph, and in addition thereto the reason for the employment and assignment in each case. Mr. Blackburn, by unanimous consent, submitted the following reso lution; which was referred to the Committee on Printing, viz: Resolved, That forty-five hundred additional copies of the Medical and Surgical History of the War be printed for the use of the members of this House. Mr. Page, by unanimous consent, presented an address prepared by a committee of the senate of California on the subject of Chinese immigration; which was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. And then, The motion of Mr. Kelley was agreed to, and the House accordingly adjourned. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1877. The following memorials, petitions, and other papers were laid on the Clerk's desk, under the rule, and referred as follows, viz: By Mr. Bacon: The petition of Catharine Hunt, for a pension; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. Dickey: Papers relating to the claim of Thomas Johnson, for property taken by the United States Army; By Mr. Dunnell: Papers relating to the claim of the Mount Savage Iron Company, for iron taken and used by the United States; Also, the petition of Mrs. Elizabeth Withers, for compensation for cotton seized by United States Treasury agents; to the Committee on War-Claims. By Mr. Fuller: The petition of Charles Mason, to be relieved from paying for two hundred and ten cigar-stamps stolen from him; to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Hardenbergh: Papers relating to the petition of Mary H. Noonan, for compensation for the rent of and injury to her dwellinghouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, by United States authorities; to the Committee on War-Claims. Also, the petition of Bridget T. Hopper, for a pension; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. Hunton: The petition of Robert J. Edelen, for pay for labor and materials furnished the United States; to the Committee on War Claims. By Mr. Lapham: Papers relating to the petition of Nancy A. Herrick, that a patent to certain lands be issued to her; to the Committee on Private Land-Clains. |