Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-01-21
CONGRESS-.
The Boston Relief Bill-SOuthern Cen
sus TakerS-Pay for Successful
Contestants of Seats.
The Bankrupt Laws Repealed by the
HOuse-A Bill in the Senate to
the Same Effect.
Public Lands-Paciflc MaiIs-POstsl
Telegraphing-The Supreme
COurt-Six New Steamers.
W ASHlNGTON. January 20,
IN THE SENATE


IN THE SENATE.
Senator Wilson presented a petition
from Wendell Phillips and others for a
prohibitOry liquor law.
Senator Carpenter, for the Judiciary
Committee, submitted the majority re-
port as adverse to the bill for the relief
of the sufferers by the Boston fire.
! Senator Edmonds, for himself, submit
ted the minority report, in favor of the
bill being both ordered and printed.
Senator EdmOnds, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported adversely several
bills to amend the bankrupt law. The
committee, he said, did not mean to
pass any opinion upon the amendments
to these bills, but reported them ad-
versely because they would probably be
superseded by new bill ON the subject.
Senator Wright, from the majority of
the Judiciary Committee, reported new
Dill III relation to the bankrupt law The
bill repeals the bankruptcy act of March
IL, 1867, and all supplementary and
amendatOry acts, said repeal TO take eff
feet on the first day of next July; pro-
vided that this repeal shall not in any
way affect any proceedings in bankrupt
cy commenced before the first dav of
July next.
Senator Edmunds offered resolution.
which was agreed to, directing the At
torney-General to report to the Senate.
as early as practicable, the operations of
the Department of Justice for the past
fiscal year, together with such informa-
ton touching the operations of the pres
ent year as may be available.
Bills were introduced fixing two dollars
4 q 10 mi
which the Government will sell ali
lands remaining to the United States,
within its limits, for rail or wagon
roads-eXcepting lands within indem-
nifty limits and claims of pre-emption
settlers, and privileges accorded by ex-
isting homestead laws to soldiers and
sailors.
A bill was introduced by Senator An
| thODy, directing the Postmaster -Gener-
al, with the consent of the President, to
contract with the lowest bidder-withiu
three months after sixty DAYS public
notice-fOr carrying mails between San
Francisco, Australia and New Zealand,
! touching at Sandwich and Navigator is
lands; service to be performed monthly
for ten years from July 1st, 1874, in first
class American-built steamers of not
less than two thousand tons burthen,
and at compensation not exceeding
two hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars per annum.
Referred to Committee on Postoffices
and Post-rOads.
Senator Stewart offered a resolu-
ton instructing the Committee on
PostOffiees and Postroads to in
quire into and report to the
Senate, as soon as practicable, the
cost of construction and present market
value of the existing telegraph linesnow
in successful operation within the
United States, and the character of the
franchise and special privileges con-
nected with them.
| Senator Conkling said he wished to
offer an amendment to the resolution,
and it was laid over.
! Senator Cor bett offered a reso-
| luton, which was agreed to, re-
questing the Secretary of the
the Treasury to furnish the Senate with
information as to the condition of the
business of the Department. of Customs,
| the amount of force employed and what
increase is necessary to put the business
and accounts of the department in
proper condition.
On motion of Senator Carpenter, the
House amendment to the bill fixing the
time for beginning of the annual session
of theUnited States Supreme Court was
concurred in. The bill is therefore
passed. Senator Cragin called up House
I bill to authOrizethe construction of six
steam vessels of war. The amendment
reported by Naval Committee is to in
crease the number to ten.
Senator Cragin stated briefly the con-
dition of the navy, and argued that
more naval vessels were required by the
best interests of the country.
Senator Hamilton, of Maryland, OPP
posed the bill. He made a statement of
the number of war vessels now in COM
mission, and argued that there was no
necessity for the increase.
Senator Cole thought that six addi-
tionai vessels would be enough, and that
there was greater need for legislation 10