The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-13
FORTY-FlRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
6EN ME.
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1870.

BILLS PASSED.
On motion Of Mr.. HAMLIN, trep.) OF Me- continu.
ing the st. Paul and Sioux City Railroad across the
Territory Of Dacotah TO Yankton, and also the land
grant in aid OF the same.
On motion Of Mr. WARNER, (rep.) OF Ala, to aid IN
the construction OF the Mobile and Pensacola Rail-
road.
On motion OF Mr.. WILLIAMS, (rep.) of Oregon,
granting the right Of way and lands to the Pecos and
Placer Mining and Ditch Company OF New Mexico.
A number of private bills were passed, including
for an increase Of pension to afty dollars per
month to the widow Of General Hayes killed OF the
battle OF the Wilderness, in 1854.
THE sUNDRY CIVIL SERVICE BILL.
At twelve O'Clock the Sundry Civil Appropriation
bin was proceeded with, and amendments were
adopted empowering the corporation OF Washing
ton, as a means Of paying Off its floating debts, to
issue certificates OF Indebtedness for i've years, not
to exceed in amount 100000. Also dividing the
expense OF paving Pennsylvania avenue between
the government and the corporation.
prooratons for pubc buildings Of pISoooo st E tie
Rock Ark; $3ooooo at st. Louis, NO.; 500, 200 at
Also on motion OF Mr.. SUMNER, (rep) of Mass, au-
thOrzing the appointment OF n commission to make
an exploration and survey OF the routes OF Tehuan-
tepec and Nicaragua, to ascertain the practcablty
OF ship canal at those places between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans, and appropratlng $4,000 for
An amendment to pay for charging shaft for the
better ventilation Of the Senate was amended to H.
struct the joint committee on ventilation to inquire
into the practcability and expense Of extending the
chamber OF the Senate and hall Of the House Of
Representatives to the exterior OF the building.
An amendment by Mr.. RICE (rep) OF Ark, pro-
vid ng for the issue OF bonds to tile amount OF over
S1SO),0oo in full satisfaction OF the claims OF the
Choetaw Indians, gave rise to lengthy discussion
upon the general merits and history Of the claim,
Messrs. Rice, Davis, Trumbuil Warner and Yates
favoring its payment as an equitable debt devolvng
upon the government by existing treaties.
Mr. SHERMAN, trep.) Of Ohio, opposed the claim.
Mr.. STEWART. (rcp) Of New, advocated a provision
prevent its falling into the hands Of SPECTATORS
The amendment was then modified to provide for
placing the amount amount to the credit OF the Chocaw
for their benefit in such manner as said indians,
with the assent OF the Secretary Of the Interior, shall
direct.
1t was objected to the amendment that its in
corporation in the bill would endanger the
whole measure In view OF the controversy between
the House and Senate respecting appropriations to
carry out Indian treaties; also that the Choctaw
Indians had engaged in the rebellion
MIR. Rice's amendment was finally rejected-yeas
"a. nays 20.
Mr.. WILLIAMS moved an amendment allowing the
exchange ut any United STATES mint or branch mint
OF unrebned or impaired bullion for refined or
parted bullion under the regulations OF the Secretary
Of the Treasury and providing that the privileges Of
depostors of bullion shall not be interiered with.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion Of Mr. WILSON the Senate insisted upon
J amendment to the Army Appropriation Dill, and
appointed committee Of conference, consisting Of
Mossfs. Wilson, Cameron and Warner
PAYMENT OF JURORS IN FEDERAL COURTS.
The report of the conference committee on The bill
for the compensation of grand ana petit Jurors In
United States and District Courts and Tor other pur
poses, was submitted and adopted.
brief executive session was then held
Tie Senate then took recess till hafpast seven
o'clock.
Evening Session.
At half-past seven O'Clock the Senate proceeded
with the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, when
amendments were agreed to making appropriations,
on motion Of Mr.. EDMuNps, tlep) of vt-one
hundred thousand dollars for geographical surveys
and military Reconnaissance in the Terrii cries
on motion OF Mr. HOWE, (rep) OF wis--seyenty.
five hundred dollars for completing the publication
OF tine reports on photography physics and the geo
graphical distribution or animals and plants OF the
wilkes United States Exploring Expedition.
On motion Of Mr.. STOCKTON, DEM Of N. Item
be stationed at alternate sections on the Jersey
coast foc the purpose OF saving life and property from
wreck.
On motion eft Mr,ANrHoNY, $4,000 to the Humane
Society OF Massachusetts, for protecting human lie
from shipwreck by lie boats and other means.
Mr.. SAWYER offered an amendment providing for
the compensation OF United states officials who mad
not taken the test oath, ior services rendered the
Mr.. SUMNER said the parties should present their
bills against Hugh McCuoch and Andrew Johnson,
and that their services were performed In violation
OF law. He then made point OF order that the
claim was priyat, one ana therefore not adllissa-
bic IN the appropriation BILL
The CHAIR sustained the point OF order.
MIR. SAWYER appealed from the decision OF the
CHAR for the Purpose OF That these officers
cogniZeu by the United States a. properly PERFORM
ing their official functions until they came TO he
paid their salaries. lie held That If they had not
acted lawfully, then the millions of revenue co.,
lected by them were improperly in the Treasury and
the government was conIesscdly receiver OF stolen
goods.
Mr. SAWYER then withdrew his appeal, but subse.
qnently renewed his amendment In diner.n mt form
Wnen the Chair referred to on by "A vote of
the Senate upon similar question al a former sea.
sion, and In accordance with when he ruled the
amendment In order.
Mr. SuERNAE moved to limit the scope Of tb,
amendment by providing merely for the compensa-
zion OF assistant assessors OF internal revenue In the
late rebel states prior to August 1, 1866 kejeced-
Yeas ID, nays 70.
The amendment was favored by Mcssrs. Warner,
Williams, Morrill, OF Vermont; Drake ana Ha.Iand
and opposed by Mcssrs. Sumner ana Cameron. III
was argued that the adoption OF the amendment
would nullify tho statute imposing the test OATH
which expressly prohibited the payment OF sali.y
whore the oath had not been taksf On the other
tiand It was claimed that the statute referred TO lad
been practically repealed IN the appointment 10