Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-06
F0RTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
WEDNESDAY. March &

IL
that he deemed it to be his duty to lay before
the Senate document which had accidentally
fallen into his possession.
The document, which was then read from the
desk, purported 70 be a circular signed by Giles
A. smith, late Assistant Postmaster General,
dated December IL. ISL, and addressed 10 the
oficials OF the various railroads OF the country
which are engaged in transporting the United
States mails. II states that an agreement had
oeen entered INTO by various leading railroad
William II. Vanderbilt and Others, 70 secure An
increase OF compensation for carving the mails
without reference to existing contracts. The
increase proposed 10 be obtained Is named at 80
per cent The parties TO whom the circular is
addresses are invited to join i'm the movement
10 secure the passage of q bill TO accomplish the
desired object, IL Is represented that funds are
necessary, and the railroads which enter into the
agreement arc asked to contribute an immediate
and a prospective retainer.
Mr.. Morrill, then said that the exposure of
THIS scheme would probably have the effect 20
defeat IT, He hoped the railroad men whose
names were mentioned as having already en-
tered into tbi agreement, would be able 10 ex-
plain their connection with il.
Mr.. Cameron did not believe that Thos A
Scott had entered into such an agreement. He
was man of too much sense and integrity III
was fact. however, that the railroads were not
paid sufficient CO mpensati0n for carrying the
mails, and this party had no doubt taken ad-
vantage of this fact to endeavor to make money
MI Wilson said one OF the greatest evils in
this country was the practice OF men who had
oeen IN Congress or in the departments, setting
the knowledge which they had obtained, 10
cheat their own government. There was a
crying necessity for reform I'm this matter and
II any thing could be done to prevent IL, IL ought
20 be done. He moved 20 refer the document 10
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Trumbull remarked that he did not see
exactly what the judiciary Committee could DO
with this circular.
Mr.. Morrill, said he had accomplished his pur-
pose by directing attention to this matter II
unralI s,Rsxa
bly, all that was necessary.
The document was then laid on the table.
Mr. Logan called up the bill 10 authorize the
master Generals Department.
Mr.. Thurman moved to amend so ss TO in
c!ude in the provisions of the bill the Inspector
Generals Department, which was agreed TO,
and the bill passed.
TIE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL
APPROPRIATION BILL
was then proceed with, the question being on
supervising architect of the Treasury to IS 90.
The amendment was rejected-ayes 81, nays
Mr.. Pomeroy moved an amendment 10 give 40
additional clerks OF class one TO the Land OFF ee
which, after some discussion, was adopted-ayes
II, nays %.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, p
O'Clock the House was called to order for the
regular session OF Wednesday. In his prayer at
the opening, the Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Butler.
trausDlre0
IN the Hall q few moments previously, (the re-
ceptiOn of the Japanese Embassy described in
another column of The starr
MI f. II. Roberts, IN. Y.,) from the Ways
and Means Committee, reported a bill to admit
Tree OF duty certain kills and other uniforms
presented to the 10Th Regiment New York Vol
unteers. Objected to.
The House then, in the morning hour, re-
sumed the consideration of the bill to give part
OF ferba Buena island to the Pacific railroad for
4 depot.
M Saroept 5c.l , od,ooo.a, Al I'm n,
tended the contract between the railroad and
the Pacific mail companies and in the course of
bis remarks criticized the management of the
Panama Railroad Company, charging extortion
and disregard for the convenience and wants
OF the public.
Mr.. Strong Comm contended that the Pacific
Railroad Company had already received large
gratnities from the government which had en-
abled the men who man aged its affairs to put i'm
their own pockets over forty millions of dollars
and that this additional valuable grant should
not be given to this wealthy and powerful cor
poratiOn.
Mr. Kellogg Comm followed, claiming that
what had been done for the road had been by
mutual agreement between Congress and the
company, and had nothing to do with the sub
ject under consideration. He contended that
the island was not valuable except for fortifca-
uons-and that portion wanted by the railroad
was on the opposite side to that required for for
tifications. He held that by allowing the road
10 60 TO this island ships would be able to dis
the tracks, thereby benefting the commerce of
the whole country. Ii he said a bar existed in
the channel it would be the duty OF the govern
ment TO remove il, and urged that the bridging
OF the shallow water between the island and the
shore was a parallel case and equally in the in
terest of commerce.
Mr.: Butler (Mass.) argued that the title re-
manning in the United States, which could not
be sued, the right Of private claimants was
entirely cut of, and he therefore desired to offer
an amendment giving to such private claimants
the right to bring suit, and giving Jurisdiction
70 entertain such suit to the circut court of Cal
tornia-the right of appeal to the United States
supreme Court being reserved TO the govern
ment; but objection was made to its intro
duction.
At the close of the morning hour, unanimous
consent was given TO print in the Globe a num-
Der of proposed amendments, not heweyer. TO
oe considered pending, and the time for debate
was extended one hour.
The Speaker laid before the House a number
OF executive communications; which were re-
ferred to appropriate committees.