National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-03-03
UNITED STATES CONGRESS.



In the Senate remonstranee against
grants OF land to railroad companies, and
a memorial on behalf Of the Cincinnati
and Southern Railroad were presented.
The bill for providing honorably dis
charged soldiers with homesteads from
the public lands was reported.
In the Senate an adverse report was
made on the bill renting duties on
articles donated to the suffering in
France, on the ground that it would be-
wholly inpracticable to pass upon the
art cles.
Ihe joint resolution awarding $1,000
10 Geo. i, Robinson for saving Secretary
Stewards life was passed
The bill substituting n steamship line
from New Orleans to Mexican ports was
passed by a vote Of 20 to Il. -.
A bill paying Nicholas Trist Sl4 600
for negotiating the Treaty OF Guadalupe
llidalgo was passed--2l to Is.
In the Senate resolutions were adopted,
directing the Committee on Commerce
to consider the expedency of providing
for the regulation OF railroads so rs to
prevent loss of life.
Calling for the instructions to the COM
mandcr of the Tennessee, and the names
OF other vessels in the waters OF San
Domingo.
The resolution of the Legislature OF
Indiana withdrawing their ratification OF
the Fifteenth Amendment was taken up,
aud was laid over.
An amendment fixing the salary of the
Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court ut
IS, 800, and that of the Associate Justic IS
at So, 900, was adopted.
In the Senate the bill for the relief of
certain naval contractors, which was
lately ordered b. the President, was
again put on its passage, and rejected
by a vote OF 2 to 81.
4 resolution was adopted directing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire into the
right of the Treasury Department to
retain compensation for services rendered
by the Pacific Railroad, and apply it to-
the interest on bonds issued to the road.
The Appropriation bill was then re-
sumed, and the provisions relating to
Judges salaries finally agreed upon.
They fix the salary of Chief-Justice at
SO, 500 Associate Judges, 5000 Cir.
cult Judges, $1,000; District Judges,
5000
In the Senate, the Legislative, Execu-
tive and judicial Appropriation bill was
taken up. MIR. Irumbull moved TO re-
peal that proviso in the law proposed to
be repealed by Mr. Sawyer, which makes
n pardon conclusive evidence in the Court
of Claims that the person who presents
1t is guilty OF whatever otfense is recited
in the pardon, unless upon its reception
he entered written protest to the con-
trary. This, after n longer discussion,
was carried by the casting vote of the
Vice-President in its favor.
HOUSE.
The bill providing pensions for sol
diers and sailors OF the wars of 1872 and
the Revolution was passed.
In the House, petitions against grants
of land to railroads were presented.
In the House petition from mer-
chants of New York, against unjust tax
alton, was presented
The Tennessee contested election case,
between Sheafe and Tillman, was decided
Ia favor of the latter, who is the sitting
In the House, the bill to enforce the
provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment
md to secure the right of citizens to vote |
was taken up at the opening of the ses-
sion. The provision for calling on the
military at elections was stricken out, and
-he bill then passed by nearly party
vote.
In the House the report of the Com
mittee ON the difficulties at West Point
was then taken up and discussed further
Some of the speakers commented severe
y on the Academy at West Point and its
officers. The report was
adopted, together with the additional
directing an investigation into
he conduct of the officers of the insttu-
ion. Mr. Buffers substitute. punish
ng the First Glass only by a loss of their
summer furlough, was rejected by a vote
If 81 to Ill.
The bill for the security of life on
team-boats was passed as substitute
or the Senate bill on the same subject.
t establishes regulations providing
gainst loss or danger from fire, leaking,
explosion and other accidents.
In the House, the report of the Con-
erence Committee on the bill creating a
territorial Government for the District
f Columbia was agreed to, and the bill
ow goes to the President.