, 1872-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
EENATE!

THE CALDWELL INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-Mr. MORTON stated
recess. had not Investigated the charges against
Mr. Caldwell, of Kansas, owing to tho difficulty
Of getting the members together.
NEW BILLS
we're introduced as fol1ows:
| private property for public uses. The bill pro-
vides that in all cases in which Congress has ap-
propriated, or shall hereafter appropriate,
money for the purchase Of the site and erection
| yard, Post Office, Custom House, or other needful
building. Or has appropriated, or shall hereafter
appropriate any money for tho purchase Of any
Teai naaa: estate R IL Tor -y any public Use, tho
the Secretary of some one Of the Departments
of the Government, Tho5e duty it shall be to
select the same aud cause it to be surveyed aud
represented upon q plot or map which, together
with an estimate Of it's value and situation,
dent shall approve thereof, it shall be the duty
Of the Secretary to procure to the United States
the title Of such site or real estate, II the same
can be procured at and for fair price and COM
pensation; but if the same cannot be 80 OBJ
tanned, or if eaid real estate OF any part there
OF shall be held or owned by infants, lunatics, or
other persons incapable of comforting title, or
belong to an unknown owner, in any such case
the matter shall be referred to the Department
Of Justice, and it shall be the duty Of the Attor-
ney General to apply to the Circuit Court Of the
United States for the District in which the Same
shall be situated, with the view of obtaining the
P5oRsiy Fes{Rb It b By sga b in tho set
Mr: POMEROY, granting the right Of way to
the Kansas d Colorado Railroad also to extend
the time for the payment By settlers On the
Usage lands in Kansas.
TIE DULUTH HARBoR.
On motion Of A1r. RAMSEY, the Secretary Of
War was instructed to communicate any infor-
nation that de may have concerning the dam
ages done tie Government works at Duluth By
the late storms, and as to the cost for repairing
them.
CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION.
Mr. WINDOM called up his resolution for the
appointment of q committee Of five on the ques-
ton ct providing cheaper transportation from
the West to the East. He modified the resolu-
ton. making the number Of the committee
seven.
Alr. HAMILTON demanded the yeas and
Mr. FRELNGHUYsEN wanted the question
referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. STEVENSON objected to such reference,
because the Committee on Commerce was not fit
to consider the right OF the Federal Govern
ment to construct internal improvements.
Mr. THURMAN said this question had already
been exhaustivefy discussed Il the object was
to get report it, leaving its legal aspect un-
touched, he would support the resolution.
After further discussion the resolution was
Rasseat-yeaS passed. IS; nays, 3; Cole, Vickers, and
RAILROAD AID.
Mr. CAsSERLY introduced bill granting tho
California Central Narrow Gauge Railroad Com
Benicia, California. Referred.
EXCHANGING BONDS.
Mr. SIBERIAN, from the Committee On
Finance, reported, with amendments, the House
BIZ authorizing the exchange of registered
As amended, the bill authorizes the Secretary
OF the Treasury to issue coupon bonds in ex-
change for registered bonds Of the same class,
denomination, and description, provided the ex-
OF, and under such regulations as the Secretary
Of the Treasury shall prescribe.
TIE MINT BILL.
Mr. SIBERIAN also reported from the Fl
Mint and Coinage laws, with amendments,
among which is one providing for q trade
silver dollar OF the weight Of 42o grains
Troy; silver half-do11ar weighing 1914
spective1y, one-half and one-dfth the weight Of
q SO cent coin. All these silver coins are to be
legal tender at their nominal value for any
amount not exceeding s. in any one payment.
RELIEF.
bill yas introduced BY LIT: cRAGIN, for tho
relief OF Miles Greenwood, Of Cincinnati.
TIE "rEN sLooP " BILL.
htr- CRAG1N gave notice that he would call up
tomorrow the bill, reported BY him from the
Committee on Naval Affairs, to provide for the
construction Of ten s1oops-of-war.
RAILROAD FARES.
On motion Of Mr. STEWART, resolutions
we're adopted instructing the Committee on Ju-
dietary to inquire how far Congress is authorized
to regulate the rates Of fare and transportation
on railroads between the States, under
that provision which authorizes Congress-
to regulate commerce between the stateB and,
also, to inquire as to the power of Congress to
authorize the construction and operation Of rail-
roads passing into or through two OF more
States, and to report by bill or otherwise.
TIE FRENCH sPo1AT1oN c1A1afs.
Mr: CAMERON called up the French spolia-
hon bill, and spoke in it's favor,
Mr. VlCKEES followed in advocacy OF the
bill, which Was then laid aside informally.
REoKpED.
On motion OF A1r: SHERMAN, the Senate
receded from it's a1nendment to the Internal
Revenue bill utoYidiug for The appQiptraut of