The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-01-28

IkuG A4SNSuy w ASAAAN NSASASAh3I Oh ~
tiCles actually on Shipboard on Frenct
vessels destined for the United States OF
November 8, 1871, was passed.
Mr.. Stewart offered resolution direct
ing the Committee on Pacific Railroads
TO INQUIRE into the condition OF accounts
between the several Pacific Railroads auC
the United States, growing out Of thC
provision oE October, 1852, requiring tina
after the completion Of the roads Eve pei
cent Of their net earnings shall be snnu
ally applied 70 the payment Of bonds anC
interest until they are paid.
Mr.. Stewart asked the immediate con-
sideraEon Of the resolution, but Mr.. Ed
munds bjected and It was laid over.
On motion Of Mr.. CoDkling the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds
was instructed TO inquire into the expedl
ency Of making any use OF the present
Executive mansion In taking any Steps
to provide another residence for the Pres
ident Of the United State.
The bill to require national banks "a
restore their capital when impaired and
to amend the national currency act was
passed.
Under unfinished business the Legisla.
tive Appropriation bill was taken up
The question was on amendment offered
by Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, on Friday, that
tbe modified 90 as to provide that 1t shall
be the duty Of the President TO take such
measures, or 10 institute such suits as may
be necessary 10 recover from the Pacific
Railroads the interest paid by the United
States on bonds issued tor the use Of
either of said roads and five per cent. OF
thenet earnings provided for by law; and
that Circuit Courts OF the United States
shall have Jurisdiction TO hear and deter.
mine such suits, subject 10 appeal as in
other cases.
Mr.. Morrill, modified his amendment 80
as to direct the court to give these cases
precedence.
Mr.. Edmunds said he had received a
letter from @. P. Huntington, Vice Pfesi-
dent Of the Central Pacific Company,
which, in compliance with tho request Of
the writer, no laid before the Senate
The letter was read by the Clerk. II
states that the Central Pabiic Railroad
Company entered into It's contract with
the Government upon the construction OF
the statute relating to freight and postal
service, which was acted upon by the
Government for several years, and which
received the sanction Of Congress; and Ii
they had understood 1t otherwise they
would not have entered into any contract
at all; but that that company Is neverthe-
less anxious TO have the disputed question
legally settled, and is willing to accept
Mr. Edmund's amendment looking 10 that
end.
Mr.. Sherman said tho only question be.
tween the Government and the Pacific
roads which he cared to have legally de.
termlned was, whether the Companies
were not bound to pay interest on their
second mortgage bonds. BE believed
they were. The United States had guar.
anteed these bonds, but the Companies
were bCundto pay the interest.
Mr.. Bayard said he would vote for Mr..
Edmund's amendment.
Mr.. Casserly was Of tho opinion that
these Companies were bound to pay the
whole OF the interest due on the bonds,
and made argument In support Of that
view.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, withdrew his
amendment for the purpose Of hvVing q
direct vote on Edmunds' amendment, and
that amendment was then adopted, all
the Senators present voting In the affirm.
alive except Morrill,, Of Maine, Sprague,
Trumbull and Hamlin. It's as follows:
The Secretary Of the Treasury Is di.
rected to withhold all payments from any
Pacific Railroad Company or It's assignee
on account Of freight or transportation Of
any kind on their respective roads to the
amount Of payment made by the United
States Of interest upon bonds Of the Uni
ted States issued TO any such company
which shall not be reimbursed, TO-
gether with five per cent. Of
the net earning that are due and uDapplled
as provided by law, and any company
may bring luit In the Court Of Claims 10
recover the price OF such freight and
transportation, 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 Ol all
points presented by the United States to
any such claims. Either party 10 such
suit may appeal to the Supreme Court,
and both such courts shall give such
cause or causes precedence over all other
business.
Mi. Morrill,, OF Vt, offered an amend
ment to the appropriation bill, providing
that Judgments for claims against the U
8. shall not be paid except previously
provided for, until the claimants have
never rendered aid or comfort 10 the re-
bellion.
Pending further action, the Senate went
into executive session and soon after ad.
journed.