The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-02-21
HOUSE.

the Postmaster General was directed to
furnish various items of information i'll
regard to the transportation of the
overland mail.
Mr.. Banks, from the committee on
Foreign Affairs, reported bill concern
ing the rights of American citizens in
foreign States. Ordered printed and
recommitted.
Mr.. Hopkins, from the committee on
Public Lands, reported bill to regu-
late the disposition of lands that may
hereafter be given to aid in the con-
struction of railroads. Ordered printed.
The bill, which is reported unanimous
", provides that all lands hereafter
granted for railroad purposes shall be
granted to the States or Territories
wherein the roads are to be constructed,
and shall be by them sold to actual
settlers ut a price not exceeding two
aud half dollars per acre, the proceeds
to be paid to the railroad company.
The object is 10 prevent the withdrawal
of large quantities of land from market
and their monopoly by corporations,
and to encourage the settlement of the
country.
Mr.. McClurg, from the select commit
tee on Southern Railroads, made re-
port showing that in the testimony
taken before the committee facts had
come out which indicated corruption
in the Post Office Department, and with
the suggestion, as that committee was
not authorized to pursue an investiga-
ton, that the matter he referred to an
other committee for further examina-
ton. The report closes with a resOlu-
ton for committee to examine into
the subject of contracts with the Post
Office Department for the transportation
of the United States mail and report
such facts as may be deemed of import
ance, whether or not there are any evil
dences of corruption, with authority to
send for persons and papers.
After debate, the resolution was refer
red to the committee on Expenditures of
Post Office Department.
A large number of bills granting pen
sions to individuals were reported from
the committee on Invalid Pensions and
passed.
Mr.. Miller, from committee on In
valid Pensions, reported u bill extend
ing the provisions of the 2lst section of
the act of July 18th, 1862, relating to
the naturalization of soldiers, to those
enlisted in the naval or marine ser
vices of the United States.
Mr.. Pike moved to refer the bill to
the committee on Naval Affairs. Dis
agreed to.
Mr.. Pile moved to amend the bill by
insertinp the words "and have been or
NAV hereafter be honorably dis
charged" Agreed to and the bill was
passed.
Mr.. Perham, from committee on In
valid Pensions, reported bill to pro-
vide for the payment out of the naval
pension fund, of pensions of widows
and other dependents of officers, fire.
men, seamen and coal beavers.
Mr.. Logan having received by the
Clerk, response from the Secretary of
the Treasury, under date of January %,
to all inquiry in reference to the substi-
tuition of 1910 bonds for 5-20s Oh deposit
in the Treasury, to secure circulation Of
National Banks. 1t is asserted that
sales of l0-40s to the amount of Sc, OO0,-
900 from the LIST of October, 1867, to the
2lst OF January, 1868, made by order OF
the Secretary were, with the exception
of FIVE small sales, made at less
premium than the regular quotations
in the New York market. He had cal
culated the difference and found that
the Government had lost S24, 264, be-
sides the commission of one-eighth of one
per cent. given to Jay Cooke Il Co., and
amounting to $40, III, making the whole
loss at S34,44l.
He also referred to a letter purporting
to be written by the Secretary Of the
Treasury to n gentleman controlling q
national bank, stating he would accept
l0-40s in lieu of 5-20s at 87i, while in
his report the Secretary says they had
never been received at higher rate
than IS. Having made his statement
he asked leave to Offer q resolution di-
recting the Secretary to inform the
House whether such letter, dated De-
cember 80, was signed by him, to whom
addressed, and whether the propositions
therein contained were complied with
by the party to whom addressed, and
also whether the sale of 1910 bonds
from October Is, 1867, to January 20,
1868, were at rates equal to the daily
quotations in New York, &c. Debated
and adopted.
The House at o'clock went into
committee of the Whole on the state'of
the Union, Mr.. Allison in the chair, and
resumed the consideration of the army
appropriation bill.
The committee rose and reported the
bill and amendments, on which the
House proceeded to vote.
The amendment for the reduction of
the army was adopted.
All the amendments having been dis
posed of, Mr.. Paine called for the yeas
and nays on the passage of the bill. 1t
passed without proviss.
Adjourned.