Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-01-27
FoRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
FRIDAY, January q.

CLNal E.-hIs SCOtt pTtctuteu
signed by 100 citizens Of Western Pennsyl-
vsnis, protesting against the obstruction to the
navigation OF the Ohio river by the construction
of the Newport and Cincinnati bridge. Re
ferred to the Committee on Commerce.
MI sumner presented memorial OF import
ers of salt in Boston, asking that il be placed
on the free list or admitted at a nominal duty.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Buckingham presented memorial OF 2i0
women OF Connecticut against female suffrage.
On motion OF Mr.. Thurman, the committee
appointed 10 investigate
TIE CHARGES AGAINST SENATOR sPRAGUE.
in connection with alleged illegal traffic in
Texas, were authorized TO send for persons and
Mr.. Hamlin offered joint resolution for the
APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL SHERMAN
as one of the regents Of the Smithsonian lnsti-
tuition, to fill the vacancy occssioned by the
resignation of Gen; Delateld. Passed.
MIR. Trumbun called up House bill prescribing
the form of
The ENAcTINe AND RESOLVING CLAUSES
OF acts and resolutions of Congress, and rules
for the construction thereof.
Mr.. Trumbull said the object of the bill was
to simplify the form OF legislation, and TO do
away with the great verbiage that now existed,
as far as possible.
Mr.. Howard objected to any change in the
time hoDored forms.
After considerable discussion, Mr.. Anthony
moved that the present enacting form OF bills
agreed to-ayes %, nays 81, and the bill was
passed.
f0munuS OHereG reSOmUOn Gazing
upon the Chief Engineer Of the army for infOr-
nation touching the failure to execute the act
of July II, 1870, providing for the laying Of
ANEW WATERMAN
from the reservoir to Capitol Hill, and provid-
Jag for regulating and distributing the use Of
Potomac water. Passed.
THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM BILL
ness, MI Ramsey appeseG to MI. Schafz, who
was entitled to the floor, to give way in order
that the special order the steamship subsidy
bills, ms pc proceeded with.
he would call up the case Of the Georgia Sena-
tore, WHICH " as privileged question.
Mr.. Schurz, under these Circumstances, de.
clRed to yield, and proceeded with his remarks.
bill, that if Congressman were debarred the
privilege Of recommending persons for office,
the other sources from which the President
would seek information were not sufficiently
well defined, and In this respect there was gap
which the bill did not oil. The question as to
whether the Departments in this city were wei
or i'll managed was of very small consequence
in comparison with the whole question of our
civil service, the evils OF which affected the
whole body polite
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. - On
motion Of Mr.. Beaman, Mich. y the Senate bill
making temporary appropriations for the pros
ecution Of the work upon the Sault st. Mary
canal was taken from the Speakers table, and
referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
MIR. Duke (Na.l asked leave to introduce a
resolution calling upon the Secretary of the
Interior for-lst. A tabular statement of the
aggregate of the population of the several States
and Territories. I'd. A statement of the aggre-
gate valuation OF personal property subject to
taxation; and, Sd. A statement of the aggregate
real estate in the several States and Territories
subject to taxation. But Mr.. Plat (ya.) OBJ
jected to its present consideration.
Mr. Smith TENN introduced bill to regu-
late prosecutions and penalties. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
MIR. Townsend Pa asked leave to introduce
bill for present action, aboishing the office OF
surveyor at tine port OF Chester, but objections
was made.
Mr.. Maynard, (Tenn.,) from the Committee
OF WAYS and Means, reporteda
BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF JOHN L. THOMAS,
Collector Of the port Baltimore, from the conse-
luences of a defalcation of Deputy Collector
Bowerman, and asked It's present consideration.
The bill was accompanied BY report from
the committee giving history of the transac-
tioDs, and exhoneratiDg Collector Thomas from
all blame in connection with it.
Mr. Benjamin Mo- objected to the consid-
Grafton OF the bill, on the ground that 1t was
claim, and should 60 to the Committee on
Claims; and unanimous consent was given to
print and recommit the bill to the Committee
Mr.. Swami Md presented the memorial of
Anna Maria Bailey, OF Baltimore, Nd, pray
ing for pension. Referred to the Committee
on Invalid Pensions.
The regular order being demanded
Mr.. Sheldon (La.), from the Committee on
Commerce, asked leave to report bill to incor-
porate the Southern Express Company.
Mr.. Holman Ind objected to the bill. on the
ground that it was public bill and could not
he considered to day, 1t being devoted to the
consideration OF private bills.
The Speaker decided that the bill was pri-
Mr.. Sheldon said,
In EXPLANATION OF THE BILL,
that the principal object OF the bill was to pre-
vent the taxation of citizens Of other States by
MIR. Judd (Ill.) said he had no personal objec-
ton to this bill, but he was opposed to the action
of Congress in granting these privileges to cor
porations to come in competition with the insti-
tutiOns and business OF the States.
MI. Archer lMd;l inquired if he did not vote
for the airline railroad.
Mr.. Judd replied that he did; that he looked
upon it as matter OF great public necessity.
He did not question the power Of the govern
ment to make the gra ant, but he doubted the
policy.
Mr. Wood IN. W said the gentleman from
Illinois had grounded his objections on a strong
foundation. Congress had given powers to
institutions which overshadowed the legitimate
institutions OF the States, which had more cap
ital, and met the requirements OF the public
much better. The avowed object to avoid the
payment OF State taxes was one of the best
reasons for rejecting the bill. He claimed that
the States were already taxed too much by the
government. and should not further be deprived
OF the right to levy taxes for the support OF their
State governments. If Congress went on at this
rate granting private franchises, there would be
no tune for general legislation.
but the House refused, By vote OF IS ayes to %
noes, to second the demand; and, on motion of
Mr.. Holman, the bill was laid on the table, by
vote of 81 to 10.
Mr.. Kerr, (Ind,) from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bill for the relief OF Mary A.
Elliott; passed. Also, bill for the relief Of
James T. johnson, OF Alexandra, Va.
MIR. Kelsey IN. W made the objection that
the bill contained an appropriation, AND must
be considered in the Committee OF the Whole,
and il was 90 referred.
From the Committee on Revolutionary Claims
large number OF petitions and memorials were
reported upon adversely, and the papers laid
on the table.
Several other Amendments reported from the
committee were adopted, when the committee
rose and reported the hi to the House, and it
was passed.
THE ST. CRoIx AND LAKE sCPKRloR RAILROAD
bill then came up as the regular order. Pend
ing its consideration, Mr.. Randall (Ps.) moved
that when the House adjourn tonight it be to
meet on Monday next, but subsequently nod
flied his motion so-that to norrow b dev0fed
to debate only; which W "a agreed to.
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Morgan, (Ohio)
was adopted requesting the Senate to return
the bill providing for the sale Of the Fort Da-
cotah reservation.
Mr.. Holman Qnd) then resumed the floor in