The Portland daily press., 1873-01-28
XLIId CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. q.
Mr.. Wilson of Mass, presented remon-
STRANGE of the Boston Board of Trade against
the passage of the bill for the repeal of the
| bankrupt act; also resolutions of the Boston
boot and shoe trade against the same bill.
| Mr.. Sawyer, from the Committee on Educa-
ton, recommended an indefinite postponement
of the bill to establish bureau of sanitary sci
| cnce.
A bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to refund differential duties on articles
actually on shipboard in French vessels destin-
ed for the United States on November 9Th,
| 1872 Passed
Mr.. Morrill, of Me-, from the Committee on
+ Appropriations, reported the consular diplo-
matte appropriation bill with amendments.
The following bills were introduced:
By MIR. Scott-Making it unlawful to con-
struct or maintain bridges over navigable tide
water streams without the consent of the Unit
| ed States, excepting such bridges as were COM
elevation of 100 feet above high water or have
800 feet draw with fifty feet elevation Re-
ferred.
By Mr.. Cragin-Directing the Postmaster
General to make contract with the Mediter-
ranean and Oriental Steamship Co., for carry
ing mails to European ports and to endorse the
bond OF said Co., to the amount OF $13,000,000.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
BY Mr.. Fenton-Making the highways and
roads now in use on any Indian or military re-
servation or any public lands of the United
states, public highways.
BY Mr.. Lewis-Appropriating 100000 for
the promotion of education in the Southern
States.
Mr.. Chandler, from Michigan, from the Com
mittee on Commerce, reported bill authorizing
the Secretary of War, in the name of the United
States, to receive from the State of Michigan,
all of the latters right to st. Marys Falls
Canal, the bill not to take effect until the tolls
received shall have reimbursed the State for
Iflpa owl ipIil
of said canal
The bill to require the National banks to re-
store their capital when impaired and to amend
the national currency act was passed.
The unfinished business of the legislative ap-
preparation bill was taken up The question
was on the amendment offered by Mr.. Morrill,
of Me-, on FRIDAY.
MIR. Edmunds said he had received letter
from U. T.. Huntington, the Vice-President of
the Central Pacific Co., which in compliance
with the request of the writer, he laid before
the Senate with much pleasure because it SEEM
cd the letter of man of honor and fairness.
The letter was read by the clerk and states
that the Genital Pacific Co., entered into its con-
tract with the government upon the construc-
ton of the statue relating to the freight and
postal service which was acted on by the gov
eminent for several years, and which has re-
ceiyed the sanction of Congress, and if they
had understood it otherwise they would not
have entered into the contract but that the Co.
10 ucNertueleSS ANXIOUS TO nave Jno ulSputeu
question legally adjudicated and is willing to ac-
cept Mr.. Edmunds' amendment looking to that
end.
Mr.. Morrill, withdrew his amendment for the
purpose of having direct vote on Mr.. Ed
munds' amenGment which was adopted 1t is
as follows: And the Secretary of the Treasury
is directed to withhold all payments from any
railroad company, or its assigns, on account of
freight or transportation of any kind over their
respective roads to the amount of the payments
of the United States, issued to any such company
which shall not have been reimbursed, together
with per cent. of the net earnings due andun-
applied as provided by law, and any company
may bring a suit in the court of claims to recov-
er in court the price of such freight and trans
portation, and in such suit the right of such
company to recover the same upon the law and
facts of the CASE shall be determined, and also
the rights of the United States upon the merits
OF all the points presented by the United States
in answer to any such claim, and either party
to such suit may appeal to the Supreme Court
and both such counts shall give such cause or
causes precedence of all other business.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont offered an amend
ment to the appropriation bill providing that
judgments for claims against the United States
shall not be paid except specially provided for
until the claimants have proved that they new
err rendered aid or comfort to the rebellion.
Pending further action the Senate went into
executive session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE
Under the call of States for bills large num-
Der We're introduced
Among the bills introduced were the follow
ing: Prohibiting commerce in things Of an OBJ
scene and immoral character; repeating the
shipping commissioners act; refunding certain
taxes on exported cotton; declaring Inaugural
ton day legal holiday.
A resolution was offered that the Senate be
requested to send back the Goat Island bill, but
Mr. Sargent of California, raised point of or
der against it, and it was not received.
A resolution by Mr.. Butler was adopted that
the heads OF departments furnish copies of
questions propounded to candidates for clerk
ships.
A resolution was adopted to purchase the
painting Of the signing of the emancipation
proclamation.
A resolution was adopted that the Judiciary
Committee examine the question of salaries for
United States circuit and district judges.
resolution was adopted that the Judiciary
Committee report bill graduating the pay and
emoluments Of officers of the executive, judicial
and legislative departments.
The morning hour having expired, Mr.. Platt
moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill
declaring the meaning of the amendatory bank
rupt act Of June Sth to be exempt from judg-
ment against bankrupts the amount allowed by
the constitution and laws of each State, respec-
lively, existing in 1871. Agreed to and the bill
passed.
Mr. Sargent, from the Committee on Appro-
priations, reported bill appropriating $4,000
to aid in defraying the expenses Of the Board
of Health of the District of Columbia.
Mr., Cox, of N. Y, introduced a joint resolu-
ton rendering to Capt. Glendell, and the Off
GERS and crew of the steamship Atlanta of the
White Star line, the thanks of Congress for
saving the crew of the brigantine Scotland,
wrecked in mid ocean. Passed.
Mr. Mckee moved to suspend the rules and
adopt a resolution instructing the Committee
on Ways and Means to report forthwith bill
for refunding the cotton tax. Rejected-yeas
rs, nays 155.
Mr. Hawley, of Conn. ,7presented petitions
from the Harvard University and forty other
institutions of learning throughout the country
for the restoration to the Japanese government
of the balance of the indemnity fund unused.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Chapman offered ia resolution for com
mittee of thirteen on the completion of the
Washington monument.
Mr. Clagetf, of Montana, introduced a bill
granting the right of way over public lands and
territories to railroads, except over the military
and Indian reservations. Passed.
Mr.. Lynch, of Me-, introduced bill for the
establishment of life stations on the coast of
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and
| North Carolina
abolishing the frankipg privilege were agreed
to. Yeas 143, nays 48. The amendments make
the bill take effect on the first of July, 1873,
and provide thatno allowance for postage shall
| be mace to Senators and members. They also
| strike out that portion of the House bill pro-
viding for the issue of stamps to cover official
correspondence or public documents, making
| the bill pnre and simple appeal of the frank
| ing privilege. 1t now goes to the President for
| his signature.
Mr.. Sargent, of Cal, moved to suspend the
rules and pass bill repeating after the first of
July, 1873, all laws for the printing and distri-
button of public documents. Reiected-yeas
| 81, nays 93, not two-thrds in the affirmative.
| Mr. Hawley, of ILL.,, introduced bill for the
appointment by the President of three commits
| sfoners to enquire into the general management
of railroads engaged in transportation between
| the several States.
| Pending the action the House adjourned