Congress

March 19. - In the Senate under the rear rangement of the Standing CommitteeB, Senator Chandler is assigned to the Coznmittee on Commerce of which he was for many years chairman. In the House the disputed caBe from the öecond Conressional District of Florida was taken up and discussed. lts dsscussion was interrupted by the reception of the President's message, whioh was read and referred to the committee of the whole. The following is the President's message: Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House of Rephesentatives - The failure of the last Congress to make the requisite appropriations for legislative and judicial pnrposes for the expenses of the several executive departments of the Government, and for the support of the army, has made it necessary to cali a special session oi the Forty-sixth Congress. The es ti mates oí appropriations needed, which were Bent to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury at the opening of the last session, are renewed, and are herejwith transmitted to both the Senant and House of Representatives. Regretting the existence of the emergency which requires a special session of CongresB, at a time when it ia the general judgment of the country that the public welfare will be best promoted by permanency in our legislation and by peace and rest, I commend these few necessary uieasures to your considérate attention. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. Washington, March 19, 1879. March 21. - In the Senate, a large number of bilis were introduced, among them one by Mr. Beek (Dem., Ky.) repealing so much of the ïevised statutes as prohibits the appointment to the army of any person engaged in the late rebellion. By Mr. Harris (Dem., Tenn.) authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to contract for the construction of ships provided with means for the disinfection of vessels and cargoes. Mr. Edmunds called up the resolution heretofore offerred by him proposing to confine the businesB of the session to the object for which it was called. On motion of Mr. Wallace (Dem., Pa.) it was laid on the table, yeas 35, nays 28. A strict party vote. Mr. Wallace (Dem., Pa.) called up the resolution calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury for a detailed statement of the amounts paid United States marshals in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland, to date, and the description of service performed by deputy marshals at elections in October and November, 1878. Mr. Conkling (Rep., N. Y.) offered an amendment to include other states, but, after debate, it was rejected ; yeas 27, nays 36, a strict party vote. Mr. Wallace's resolution was then adopted, and the Senate adjourned till Monday. The House transacted no business of importancè, but adjourned till Tuesday. March 24.- The Vice President laid before the Senate a commnnication from the Postmaster General asking additional appropriations for the pay of letter-carriers; also, from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a request from the Commissioner of Education for an appropriation of $25,640 for the payment of clerks. The Communications were referred. Mr. Wallace offered a resolution declaring Richard J. Bright elected sergeant-at-arms, which was adopted, after rejecting an amendment offered by Mr. Anthony (Rep., R. I), to Bubstitute the name of the incumbent, John R. French - yeas 23, nays 39, a party vote. Mr. Wallace then snbmitted a resolution declaring F. E. Shober elected chief clerk of the 3enate. Mr. Anthony moved to subititute the name of Wm. E. Spencer, the incumbent. Rejected yeas 25; nays 38, and the resolution was adopted. Mr. Wallace then submitted a resolution deelaring Henry B. Payton elected executive clerk. Mr. Anthony moved to Bubstitute the name of the incumbent, James R. Young. This was disagreed to, yeas, 25, nays 35, and the resolution adopted. Mr. Wallace offered a ie-,olution declaring J. G. Bullock elected chapl in. Mr. Anthony moved to Bubstitute the name of the incumbent, Rev. Dr. Sunderland DiRagreed to, yeas 26, nays 37. The resolution was then adopted. March 25. - The Senate Committee on Privleges and Elections, by a party vote, declared Jharles H. Bell not entitled to a seat under ;he appointment of the Governor of New Hampshire. In the Senate Mr. Davis (Dem., W. Va.) iniroduced a joint resolution for a special committee to considor the bet means of promotng agriculture. The Rosolntion of Mr. Hoar (Rep., Mass.) was taken up, declarin nnconstitutional and revolutionary the Democratie programme of egislation announced by Mr. Beek (Dem., Ky,J at the close of the late Congress. Pending the motion, Mr. Wallace (Dem.. Pa.) moved to ydjourn. The yea3 and nays were called, and the vote resulted : yeas 37, nays 28, a strictly p ,rty vote. In the House MesrB. Harris (Dem., Va.) and Cox (Dem. N. Y.) asked leüve to introduce resolutians, but Mr. Conger, (R3p., Mich.) Btated that he would object to the introduclion of anything unless it had reference to the appropriation bilis. Adjourned, yeas 126, naya 111. ____