Worcester daily spy., 1871-02-17
Forty-First Congressional Session
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 16, 1871.
SENATE.

MASHINGToN, u. T., teD. 10, loIl'
SENATE.
Mr.. Sawyer introduced a bill to repeal the
iron-clad oath. Referred TO the committee on
the judiciary.
Mr.. Nye then reported, from the same COM
mittee, a bill similar to the one Just disposed of,
except that the clause in the former obiectiona-
bic to the president was omitted, and asked
unanimous consent for the present consideration
of the bill, but Mr.. Wilson objected.
Mr. Howard, from the committee on the Pa
citic railroad, reported, with al amendment, a
bill to enable the Atlantic and Pacific railroad
company to mortgage its road, and for other
purposes
Mr. Cragin, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported, without amendment, the house
the slOop of war Oneida, and for the enlistment
of three hundred additional seamen in the
United States navy.
Aresolution by Mr.. Thayer, instructing the jul
dietary committee 10 inquire and report as TO the
right of the treasury department TO retain all COM
pensatiOn for services rendered the United States
by the Union Pacific railroad and its branches, to
apply with the interest bonds issued by the
United States to aid in the construction of said
road, was agreed TO, without objection.
Mr., Cameron called up the house bill for a
centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876,
remarking that as but few minutes of the morn
ing hour remained, he would say nothing upon
the bill, as it was well understood, and he appre-
hended no opposition.
AT the request of several senators, the bill was
read at length, Messrs. COnkling and Boreman
also calling for a second reading of particular
portions, until the morning hour expired, when
the legislative appropriation bill came up as the
regular order of business.
MIR. Scott appealed to Mr.. Cole, who had
charge of the appropriation bill, to give way for
the Philadelphia bill, urging the importance of
the measure that the Pennsylvania legislature
Of tIn
buildings, but Mr.. Cole declined to yield, and
discussion was resumed on the amendment ap-
preparation bill increasing the judicial salaries.
After further debate, MesSrs. Nye and Carpen-
ter sustaining, and Mr., Conkling opposing, the
increase section, as amended, was adopted-35
to 26.
The following is the scale: Chief justice of
the supreme court, $500; associate justices of
the supreme court, $4,000; United States cir.
cult judges, $4,000; chief justices of the court
of claims and the superior court of the District
of Columbia, $4,000; associate justices of said
courts, $500; United States district judges,
$1,000.
The amendment, from the finance committee
prohibiting hereafter the reopening of any ac-
count or claims already adjusted, unless by
special authority of law, or any action by treas
ury officers upon such as are not presented within
six years from date of their origin, and in cases
of infants or luuatics six years from removal of
disabilities, rejected, after discussion, as ir
relevant.
During the debate, Mr.. Hamliu spoke of the
circumlocuuon, the delay and trouble now at
tending the liquidation of meritOrious claims
in the departments, which he preferred to lessen,
rather than increase. In view of all embarrass-
ments, and annoyances, in the way, he would
never undertake to collect claim from the gov
ernment, no matter how just. He objected to
the amendment, because he thought an officer
should be allowed to correct palpable mistake
in the settlement of claim, without coming to
congress for the purpose.
Another amendment, from the finance COM
mittee, as a substitute for a similar amendment
from the committee on appropriations, prohibit
ing any government employe, for three years af-
ter his retirement from Il department, from be-
ing interested, as agent or attorney, in the pros
ecution of a claim before that department, was
discussed, and rejected.
Mr.. Upton disapproved of the amendment,
saying he could not agree that au American
citizen should be disqualified from any employ
ment, because he had been employed by the
government at a miserable salary.
Mr.. Davis thought the government ought to
encourage the dissemination of department in
formation, for the benefit of honest claimants
while Mr.. Nye and Mr.. Salisbury maintained
that the government had no power to prevent
a man from earning living in any legitimate
business.
Mr.. Carpenter said the proposition went upon
however just, were defeated by suppression of
facts in the departments. 1t was the duty of
an honest officer to disclose to a claimant every
thing, both for and against Il claim.
Mr.. Edmunds held that the information ac-
quired by clerk was the exclusive property of
the government, and advocated the amend
meat.
Without final action on the BILL the senate
went into executive session, and soon adj
journed.
HOUSE.
The house has resolved to push business for
the balance of the session, and on and after
Saturday it has resolved to meet daily at eleven
o'clock.
Mr.. Wheeler gave notice that he would call up
the Southern Pacific railroad bill on Tuesday,
after the reading of the journal.
The house took up the West Point cadet case
shortly after one o'clock.
The resolution for a court to inquire how far
the officers and professors had connived at the
illegal acts of the first class was adopted.
The resolution TO order court OF inquiry to
ascertain which OF the cadets of the first class
were ringleaders in the expulsion movement,
and dismiss them when they shall be ascertain
ed, was agreed to by vote of 113 to SO.
At the close Of the debate on the bill the ques-
ton was first taken on Gen. Buffers substitute
for the second resolution, which was to punish
the members of the first class who were leaders
in the movement engaged in the expulsion of
the boys by depriving them of the furlough
usually allowed after graduating and to order