Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-20
CoxGREssTOxAU.

ing lands TO aid in the construction of rail-
road and telegraph line from the Central
Pacific Rlilroad, in California, to Portland,
Oregon, which was on July ID recommended
to the Committee on Public Lands.
The vote was reconsidered and the bill
came up for action, the question being on a
substitute reported from the Committee on
Public Lands. 1t authorizes the California
& Oregon Railroad Company to locate and
maintain a railroad and telegraph line be-
tween Portland, Oregon, and the Central
Pacific Railroad in California, and grants
each alternate section of land not mineral,
to the amount Of twenty sections per mile,
on each side Of the railroad. The first sec
ton Of twenty miles is to be completed with
in two years, and at least twenty miles each
year thereafter. The railroad is to be Of the
same guage as the Central Pacific, of Cali
fornia, and is to be connected Herewith.
The substitute was agreed to, and the bili as
amended passed.
Mr.. STEVENS offered the following reso-
luton:
ResolUed, The Senate coneurring, that
when Congress adiourns it will adjourn to
meet again on Saturday, the LIST day of De-
cember, except sooner summoned by the
presiding officers Of both Houses, which
power, in case Of emergency, is hereby
granted to them.
Mr.. FINK raised the question of order
that the resolution was not privileged
question.
The SPEAKER expressed the opinion, al
though he said it was a new question, that
if the two houses took recess they could
authorize their presiding officers tocall them
together some dozen times during that re-
aase THE raecfufion oopfar,DlofaI q, oor,
fer additional powers, but he did not
think that changed the resolution from be-
ing privileged question. All questions in
respect to adjournment whether for one day
or three DAYS, sine die, or to take recess,
and everything connected with them were
privileged questions, and had been always
entertained by the SPEAKER when there
was no other business before the House.
Mr.. TRIMBLE suggested, ssrcastically,
that it would be well to provide in this reso-
luton, that if the President Of the Senate
and the Speaker Of the House disagreed as to
whether they should re-convene Congress,
there should be some umpire to decide be-
tween them.
The SPEAKER remarked that by the
terms of the resolution the recess could not
be terminated and Congress again convened,
unless the presiding officers Of both houses
agreed to it.
Mr.. FINCK moved 10 lay the resolution
on the table.
Mr.. STEVENS Withdrew the resolution,
saying he would offer it again tomorrow.
TheSPEAKER few minutes afterwards,
stated to the House thet the resolution Of
fered by Mr.. STEVENS, comforting power on
presiding officers Of the two houses to call
Congress together, he had not seen or known
anything of until it was read at the Clerks
desk; that he was still Of the same opinion
which he had expressed as to its being
privileged question, as it related to adjourn
ment, while its adoption would depend upon
the House, but the object being so deli
cate, as comforting additional power which
might prove to be of great consequence, he
would, if the subject should be presented to-
morrow, submit the question to the House,
as the rules authorize him to do, and let the
House itself decide on the question of privi-
lege also. He presumed that would satisfy
all the gentlemen better than if he we're to
make a ruling on the subject.
Mr.. STEVENS remarked that that would
be perfectly satisfactory.
Mr.. ONEAL from the committee of con-
ference on the bill further TO provide for the
safety of the lives of passengers on steam
vessels made a report, which was agreed to-
Mr.. SHELLABARGER called up as a
question Of privilege the report of the select
committee on the charges made by Hon.
Ross CONKLING in his place, against Pro-
vOst Marshal General Fry and his bureau.
The report, testimony and argument cover
$40 pages of printed matter. He said that
the report was unanimous.
SENATE.-Mr. MORRILL, from the Com
mittee on Commerce, reported a Joint reso-
luton in relation to the pay and accounts of
Collectors of the Revenue who have failed to
take the required oath of Office, with an
amendment as a substitute as follows:
ResOLRed That the Secretary of the
Treasury be, and he is hereby authorized, to
pay reasonable compensation to the per-
sons he has employed for the purpose, and
who have been actually engaged in collect
ing the revenue within States in insurrec-
ton, notwithstanding the failure or inability
of such persons TO take the oath of Office re
quired by law: Provided such compensation
shall not be greater in any case than that
provided for BY law for officers Of the reve-
nue. service aud Provided further, that this
act shall not be deemed to authorize the con-
tinuance Of such persons in such employ
ment.
The resolution was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. GRIMES introduced a bill to reor-
ganize the Navy Department and of pay Of |
officers, which was referred to the COmmit- |
tee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. MORGAN, from the Committee on. |
Commerce, reported a bill 70 fix the COM
pensation of certain Collectors of Customs, /
and for other purposes, with amendments to |
strike out the provision relative to salaries /
and compensation OF deputy collectors, naval |
officers and surveyors, and insert a section |
giving to such officers IN the ports of Boston, /
New York, New Orleans, etc, So, 500 per |
annum EACH 1t extends the provisions of |
the act of April 29th, 1861, increasing the
compensation of Collectors of Customs to
July LIST, 1866. The bill was ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. STEWART, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported a bill granting the
right Of way to canals over the public lands
in the States of California, Oregon and Ne
yada, with an amendment as a substitute, to
protect millers in such right Of way and in
right of priority, as recognized by local
customs and decisions of courts. The bill
was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. RAMSEY from the Committee on
Postofices and Post Roads reported,
the House bill, establishing certain post
masters with verbal amendments tG the
until tomorrow.
Mr.. MORRILL, offered resolution, set
ting aside Friday, the 25th, for the consid-
Grafton of bills from the District Of Column
bia, which was amended so as to give an
evidence for the purpose, and was then
adopted.
Mr.. JOHNSON reported the bill for the
relief Of sufferers by the late fire at Portland
as the originally reported bill provides
that the President shall authorize the pur-
chase Of provisions, etc, for the sufferers.
Mr.. JOHNSON offered substitute for
he original bill, directing the President of
he United States, TO tender to the Governor
IF Maine $4,000, in the name of the Gov
eminent Of the United States for the relief
IF the sufferers, to be used in such a manner
Is he may deem advisable.
Mr. TRUMBULL opposed the bill;
aid he did not know when the authority
anne to pass this measure. Where was
his kind of legislation TO stop? II the suffer-
IT'S by fire at Portland were to be relieved
~ Congress, why not those who have suf-
cred by fire elsewhere. He moved it be re-
erred 10 the Finance Committee.
Mr.. JOHNSON said Mr.. TRUSTBULL had
advocated the Freedmen's Bureau bill, I
which would cost not less than $50 900, but |
he $4,000 bill now before the Senate
vas not the first Of the kind ever passed by {
congress. Some years ago $4,000 were APP
,roDrieted for the relief If Sufferers nv fire in