Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-05-16
EVENING STAR.
CONGRESSIONAL


SENATE.-After Our report closed, discus.
sion was continued at great length on the
BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC DEPOT SITE BILL.
Nh Hamilton md said the bill had been in
frOduced and forced through the councils in the
expiring hours of the city government.
MIR. Morrill, (Nt-l said IL was charged that
some OF the members of the councils were bribed
40 vote for the bill.
MT. Thurman said Congress might Just as
well give this railroad the capitol for a depot as
TO give 1t up the capitol grounds, and il a bill
was brought in to give the capitol for depot
there would be plenty of people in Washington
- no would petition Congress to grant it. Ii
This railroad was allowed TO set its foot in the
Park, then you could not refuse the same priyi-
1t ges to other companies.
Mr.. Stewart said the most loathsome mart of
Washington was found on the south side of the
avenue twO-thirds of the way from the capitol
10 the white house. and a little steam and
smoke would d0 il good.
Dir. Cameron spoke Of the great expense in
CURED BY the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
IN getting to Washington, and the advantages
which IL would give TO the CITY. He was
authorized 20 say that if WAS proposed to put
CepOt OF magnificent design aud proportions
which would be an ornament to the park. The
Governor Of the District the Board of PubIin
Works. and the Commissioner of Public Build
11gs and Grounds were all in favor of this
measure. and would assist in the Communication
Of the public grounds. The railroad did not Ask
anything OF this city, but il would confer the
greatest benefits upon it. IL would cheaper
travel and freight. 1t would put this city on a
UiTect line 20 the south and che Pacific coast.
and before long there would De no cotton sent to
New York by water, bat il would all come by
way OF " Washington. The travel and business
which would come via Washington would buiId
IL up immensely. As showing the necessity for
additional railroad facilities, he stated that
recently. when summoned TO Washington on
important business, he had been compelled to
q main over night in Baltimore.
Mr.. Blair said the government had done a
great deal for this road. 1t had given il the
right OF way; it had been given depot site
10 WaSh-putOD he dbl mt hell
compensate fOr the destruction of the park
Mr.. Davis West Val sent To the desk to be
real the memorial OF property owners of Wash
1ngton demonstrating against the location of a
railroad depot in the vicinity of PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, signed by six hundred. He said that
The memorial, which has been before the com
Iittee faTOring the proposed location, rad been
signed by niDety-fve persons, of whom sixteen
tad since withdrawn their names.
MT. Hamilton (Md.l denied that there had
been any illiberal spirit manifested by any citi-
zen of Maryland toward facilities being afforded
10 this city, as charged by Mr.. Cameron. He
(Mr. II had not objected when the bill had
cen brought in to give this company depot on
Virginia avenue, and no one objected. But this
proposition TO surrender a large part OF the
public grounds in the heart of the city is a very
different thing. This is very serious matter,
Il subordinate the rights and the comfort of the
PEOPLE to a corporation.
The Senate then, at 40 p. m, took recess
until 80 u. IN.
At the evening session, the bill was discussed
Until rear midnight, when the question was
NahtH ON the Sui-lIuIe OH sTeu DN MI. MOrrili
before the recess, and ii was rejected-ayes II,
1OeS q
Mr.. Morrill, then moved an amendment that
Tor the privileges herein granted the said COM
yany shall pay annually into the treasury of tn
District of Columbia 500 900. to be applied to
1he benefit of the common schools of the Dis
frict. This. he said. was very m0der ate rent al
for so valuable piece of land. Rejected-ayes
IL. noes 2i
Pending discussion, the Senate adjourned at
midnight
HOUSE.-After our report closed
Er. Peters amendment. making the duty on
lumber and the manufactures of lumber ninety
per cent. of existing duties, was adopted as
Substitute for the paragraph in the bill.
The paragraph in relation TO manufactures OF
Coal tar was, on motion of Mr.. Banks, of Mass,
amended to read, ION coal tar reduced. as
i halt, pitch, bitumen, or cement, manufactured
from coal tar, or Its resiiuum, 80 per cent. of
existing duties"
On motion of Mr.. Conger (Mich.) the duty on
cuiniDe was reduced from p TO 10 per cent ad
IalOTem.
The committee then rose.
Mr.. Garfield (Ohiol. from the committee on
conference on
THE DEFICIENCY BILL,
submitted a report. The main point at issue
between the two Houses was in reference TO the
amendment relating 10 the cotton claims, and
Known as the Morrill, amendment. The Senate
Eecedes from this amendment, and the conferees
agree to amendment authorizing the pay
IaeDt to claimants the net price of the cotton
Tnlswfully seized by United States officers after
June 80, 1s65. The money is to be paid without
Interest The amendment is not to affect causes
lending in the court Of claims, nor is any claim
40 he recognized unless filed within SIX months
after the passage OF this act. The sum of so, ONO
j. appropriated TO enable the Secretary of the
Treasury 10 take preliminary action with regard
70 the claims.
The report was adopted, and the House, at i:5J
4. m, took a recess till 7:30.
The House reassembled at 80 p. m. to hear
reports from the committee on judiciary.
Mr.. Peters reported bill to allow parties ac-
ruSed OF crime to testify in their own beh alf;
a l. -sa1s L.
statutes prescribing an oath of office. fit re-
Ieals what is known as the Iron-clad oath.
Passed A number of other bills were passed,
and at $50 y. IN. the House adjourned.