Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-10
Congressional Proc edings
Washington, d. c., Dec. g.

SENATE.
Mr.. Cameron moved that the French Spoil
alton bill be made special order for Monday
next.
Mr.. Sherman said that he was opposed to
the bill, and opposed to special orders, and
called for division.
Mr.. Cameron withdrew the motion, and
moved to postpone the bill to Monday next.
Agreed to.
ly the bill to extend the time for the constuc-
ton of the Kansas, Topeka 6 Santa Fee rail-
road, saying that the railroad had already
progressed so far that it would be finished
within the prescribed time.
AT 2.55 o'clock the senate went into execu-
tive session, and soon after adjourned.
The following bills were introduced pro-
posing an amendment to the constitution so
as to provide for the election of President and
Vice President by direct vote of the people !;
for the repeal of the test oath; creating
commission to adjudge the compensation of
the several claimants for damages for depre-
dations by rebel cruisers, to be discharged
out OF the indemnity fund awarded by the tri-
buual of arbitration at Geneva to be paid by
Great Britain to the United States extending
for four years the Southern claims commits
sion; repeating the stamp taxes under sched-
ule Sc
Mr.. IIooper's supplemental Civil Rights
bill, from last session, was referred TO the
committee on revision of the laws, the house
having refused to table it.
The adjournment from Dec. 20 to Jan T.
was agreed to on Mr.. Dawes motion.
Mr.. Hooper of Massachusetts introduced.
and asked to have put upon its passage, a bill
reciting that at the late great fire in Boston
the safe of the sub-treasury, containing 3d.
100000 OF public property, was saved from
destruction by the heroic exertions of tse fire.
men, and appropriating $4,000 to the fire.
mems fund established by the fremen Of Bos-
ton to aid the families of fremsn who lost
their lives in the confagration. The bill was
explained and advocated by Messrs. Hooper
and Butler, and criticised by Mr.. Kerr and
other members, as proposing to establish q
very dangerous precedent The bill was fur
defended and advocated by Messrs. Cox,
Bingham, Hoer and Banks, the latter declar-
ing that it was based upon the principle of
universal application, thss of rewarding per
sons for service to the United States.
Mr.. Lynch of Maine inquired the character
OF the property saved in the safe.
Mr.. Hooper of Massachusetts, replied thas
S9, 000, 900 of the amount consisted of money,
partly in coin and partly in notes.
Mr., Lynch remarked that it consisted prob
ably of United States bonds and notes, which
were worth just SO much paper, and if there
was any coin in the safe, it would not have
been destroyed, as the safe was in vault
which could not be destroyed by fire.
Mr.. Garfield Of Ohio argued that the bill
should be referred to committee.
Mr.. Hooper moved to suspend the rules,
and pass the bill. Negatved. The bill was
then referred to the committee on appropria-
tons, with leave to report at any time.
The secretary Of the treasury was, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania, asked
for statement of the tonnage employed in
the home trade Of the United States, discrm-
mating between steam and sailing vessels,
and between iron and " OGDEN vessels.
Mr.. Garfield Of Ohio reported from the
ing the employment Of keepers and crews of
surf boats on the coasts of Cape Cod and
Block Island. Passed.
The bill admitting free Of duty the monu-
ment building at Rome by Franklin Simmons
in memory of the officers, seamen and ma
! rines of the United States navy, who fell in
defence of the United States, to be erected a,
Annapolis-was passed.
Mr.. Lynch Of Maine reported a bill from
the committee on commerce, appropriatng
SIS, 900 for the removal of the sunken wreck
in the channel-way of Sandy Hook. Passed
with an amendment holding the owners or
charterers or insurers responsible for the cost
of renewal.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio from the judiciary
committee reported bill removing all polit
zeal disabilities and extending general amnes
ty. Negatived; yeas l02, nays Slices than
the necessary two-thirds in the affirmative.
The senate bill authorizing the Mobile &
Montgomery railroad company to construct
and operate bridges across the Mobile river
and other navigable streams tribute to Mobile
bay was passed
The speaker announced the appointment of
the select committee to the centennial cele
bration as follows: Messrs. Kelley of Penn
sylyania, Dawes of Massachusetts,, Maynard
of Tennessee, Sargent of California, Hawley
of Connecticut, Havens Of Missouri, Cox of
New York, Marshall of Illinois, and Hancock
of Texas.
The house at 8 10 o'clock adjourned.