Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-10
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.
SENAIE

The credentials OF Senator Morton, Qnd) re-
elected, were presented.
A bill from the military committee was reported
in favor Of relunding the interest on war funds
borrowed by states during the rebellion.
A resolution was adopted that the committee
on commerce inquire as TO the eXpcdioucv of an
appropriation for harbyr al Portland, Ne.
resolution that a committee Of i've be APP
pointed TO whom shall be referred that portion
OF the presidents message relating to transpOl-
tation routes from the west to the Atlantic sea-
board, was laid over.
A bill was introduced that after next June
twenty per cent Of the customs duties may be
paid IN United States notes and twenty per cent
additional each year thereafter till 1877, when
they may be paid either in gold or notes.
Mr.. Anthony introduced bill providing for
free transportation from Rome of the sailors
monument.
In accordance with the resolution adopted last
week, the senate, at the end Of the morning
hour, proceeded to consider the bills on the cal
endar.
The report of the committee of conference on
the bill regulating the construction of bridges
across the Ohio river, was agreed to, and, the
house having agreed to it al the last session, the
bill is now passed
Mr. Summers joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution confning the
president to one term, was referred to the iu-
dietary
Mr. Cameron moved that the French spolia-
ton bill be made the special order for Monday
next.
MIR. Sherman said he was opposed to the bill,
and opposed to special orders, and called for 4
division.
Mr. Cameron withdrew the motion and moved
postponement of the bill until Monday next !;
agreed TO.
Mr. Pomeroy moved to postpone indefinitely
the bill to extend the time Tor the construction
OF the Kansas, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad,
saying the road had already progressed so far
that it would be finished within the prescribed
time.
At 2.55 the senate went in executive session
and soon srter adjourned
HOUSE.
Several bills were Introduced including one
for liie-savlng stations on the coast OF Maine and
New Hampshire.
Resolutions were introduced proposing an
amendment in the constitution authorizing CON
gresS to fix the time for holding state elections.
Resolutions of the Vermont legislature were
presented laYorins civil service reform and abo-
ton Of the ranking privilege
General Banks offered resolutions fixing the
salary OF the president at fifty thousand dollars
per annum, commencing March, 1873; that the
term OF office ol the president and VICE presi-
dent be SIX years. the president to he ineligible
for reelection; and that the president and vice
president be elected by the people at the same
lime that congressman are elected.
Bills were introduced providing for the safety
VI bouhoS " lSuuNE luAGSt repeating Ile uSuly
section OF the currency act; amending postal
acts; providing for the collection of statistics of
inland and coastwise trade between stat ; for
continuing improvements at New Have Nor
walk and Bridgeport harbors
Gen. Butler offered a bill RENTING the duties
on certain goods destroyed by the Boston fire;
also reiunding the amount of discriminating
duties paid by importers under the proclamation
OF Oct 30, 1872, on merchandise actually ahoat
IN French vessels from other than French ports
at the date of that proclamation.
Bills introduced: Proposing an amendment to
the constitution so as 10 provide for the election
OF president and vice president by direct vote Of
the people.
For repeal of the test oath.
Creating commission 10 adudge compensa-
ton Of several claimants for damages for depre.
dations by rebel cruisers, TO be DISCHARGED out
OF the indemnity fand awarded by the tribunal
OF arbitration at Geneva to be paid by Great
Britain to the United States
Extending for four years the southern claims
commission.
Repeating stamp taxes under schedule c.
Hoopers supplemental civil rights bill, from
the last session, was referred to the committee
on revision Of the laws, the house having refused
to table it.
An adjournment from Dee. goth TO Jan. & was
agreed to, on Mr.. Dawes motion.
MI Hooper Of Massachusetts introduced and
asked to have put upon passage, the bill recitpr
the sub-treaSury containing S1G 900 900 Of public
property was saved from destruction by the
heroic eXertionS Of the frcmeD, and appropri-
ating $4,000 to the fircmen's fund established
by the fremen Of Boston to aid the families of
the 1remen who lost their lives in the coudaUra
lion. The bill was explained and advocated by
MesSrS. Hooper and Butler, and criticised by
Mr, Kerr and other members, as proposing TO
establish very dangerous precedent The bill
was further defended and advocated by MesSrs.
Cox, bingham, Hoar, and Banks, the latter de-
cariug it was based upon the priuciple of uni
versal application, that of rewarding persons for
service to the United States.
Mr.. Lynch inquired the character of the prop
erty saved in the safe.
MI. Hooper replied that nine millions of the
amount consisted Of money, partly coin and
partly notes.
Mr.. Lynch remarked it consisted probably of
United States bonds and notes which were
worth just so much paper. Ii there was any
coin in the safe it would not have been
destroyed, as the safe was in a vault which could
not besdestroyed by fire.
Mr.. Garfield argued that theg bill should
be referred to a committee
Mr.. Hooper moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill. NegatiYed.
The bill was then referred to the committee on
appropriations, with leave to report any time.
The secretary OF the treasury was, on motion of
Nil Kelley, asked for Il statement of the tonnage
employed in the home trade of the United
States, discriminating between steam and sail
ing vessels, and between iron and wooden YES
sells. .
Mr.. Garfield reported, from the committee on
appropriations, bill authorizing the employ
ment of keepers and crews of surf boats on the
coasts Of Cape Cod and Block Island Passed A
The bill admitting free Of duty the monument
building at Rome by Franklin Simmons, in the
memory OF officers, seamen and marines of the
United States navy who fell in defence of the
Union, to be erected at Annapolis, was passed.
Mr.. Lynch reported bill from the committee
on commerce, approprlating $4,000 for the Ie-
moya OF sunken wreck in the channel way off
Sandy Hook, which was passed, with an amend
ment holding the owners, chartercr, or insurers,
responsible for the cost OF ren oval
MIR. Bingham, from the judiciary committee,
reported bill removing the political dsabili-
ties Of l.. q. &. Lamar Of Mississippi. Passed.
MIR. Acker moved to suspend the rules, and
pass Il bill removing all political disabilities,
and extending general amnesty. Negatiyed:
yeas 1922 nays 81 less than the necessary two
thirds IN the affirmative.
The senate bill authorizing the Mobile and
Montgomery railroad company TO construct and
Operate:brdges across the Mobile river and other
navigaDie streams tributary to Mobile, was
passed.
The speaker announced the appointment of a
select committee on the centennial celebration,
as follows: Mcssrs. Kelley of Pennsylvania,
Dawes of Massachusetts, Maynard of Iennes-
see, Sargent Of California, Hawey of Connecti-
cut, Ravens OF Missouri, Cox of New York,
Marshall Of Illinois, and Hancock of Texas.
The house at $40 adj burned.