Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-28
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Franking Privilege Abolished,
II the President Signs the Bill.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.--Mr. wilson
presented remonstrances against the repeal
of the bankrupt act.
More Millionaire Grabs.
Bills were introduced:
By Mr.. Cragin-Directing the Postmas-
ter General to make contract with the
Mediterranean and Oriental Steamship
Company for carrying mails to European
parts, and TO endorse the bonds of said COM
pany to the amount of $13,000,OOO. Re-
ferred.
BY Mr.. Lewis-Appropristing $4,000
900 for the promotion of education In the
Southern States.
Pacific Railroad Interest.
Mr.. Stewart offered resolution directing
the Committee on Pacific Railroads to in.
qaire into the condition of the accounts be-
tween the several Pacific Railroads and the
United States growing out of the provision
of the act of 1862 requiring that after the
completion of the roads, five per cent. OF
their net earnings shall be annually applied
to the payment of the bonds aud interest
until they are paid.
Mr.. Stewart asked immediate considera-
ton OF the resolution, but Mr.. Edmunds OBJ
jected and it was laid over.
The white House.
On motion of Mr.. Conzling the commit
tee on Public Buildings and Grounds was
instructed to inquire into the expediency of
making any use Of the present Executive
Mansion other than that 10 which it is
now devoted, and of taking any steps to
provide another residence for the President
of the United States.
The bill to require national banks to re-
store their capital when impaired and to
amend the national currency act, was
passed.
The legislative appropriation bill was
taken up. The question was on the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, Fri
day, modified so as to provide that it shall
be the daty of the President to take such
measures or to institute such suits as may
be necessary to recover from the Pacific
Railroad Companies the interest paid by
the United States on bonds issued for the
use of either of said roads and the 5 per
cent of the net earnings provided for by
law; and that the circuit courts of the Uni
ted States shall have jurisdiction to hear
and determine such suits, subject to appeal
as in other cases.
Mr.. Morrill, modified bis amendment so
as to direct the court to give these cases
precedence.
Mr.. Edmunds said he had received let.
ter from G. 2. Huntington, Vice President
of the Central Pacific Company, which
states that that company entered into its
contract with the Government upon con-
Of bo cf inf rolotinn n frQ;ohfC
and the postal service which was acted on
by the Government for several years, and
which has received the sanction of Con-
gress, and if they had understood 1t other
wise they would not have entered into the
contract at all, but that that company is
nevertheless anxious to have the disputed
question legally adjudicated, and is willing
to accept Mr.. Edmunds' amendment look
ing to that end.
Mr.. Sherman said the only question be-
tween the Government and the Pacific
railroads which be cared to have legally de-
termined was whether the companies were
not bound to pay the interest on their sec
ond mortgage bonds. He believes they
were; the United States had guaranteed
those bonds, but the companies were bound
to pay the interest.
Mr.. Bayard said he would vote for Mr..
Edmunds' amendment.
Mr.. Casserly was of the opinion thSt
these companies were bound to pay the
whole ofthe interest due on the bonds, and
made argument to support that view.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, withdrew bis
amendment for the purpose OF having a
direct vote on Mr.. Edmunds' amendment,
and that amendment was then adopted, all
the Senators present voting in the affima-
tive except Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, Sprague,
Trumbull, and Hamlin. 1t is as follows:
"And the Secretary of the Treasury is di-
rected to withhold all payments from any
railroad companies, or assignees,on account
| of freight OF transportation Of any kind over
| their respective roads to the amount OF
the payments made by the United States
| of interest upon any of the United States
bonds issued to any such company which
| shall not have been reimbursed, together
| with five per cent of the net earnings and
unapplied, as provided by law; and any
company may bring suit in the Court ol
| Claims to reeovee the price of such freight
and transportation, and in such suit the
right of such company to recover the same
upon the law and the facts of the case
shall bs determined, and also the rights OF
the United States uponthe merits Of all ths
points presented by the United States IL
answer to any such claim; and either party
to such suit may appeal to the Supreme
Court and both such courts shall give suct
cause or causes precedence Of all othe
business"
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, offersd al
amendment to the appropriation bill provid
ing that judgments for claims against tn
United States shall not be paid, unless
specially provided for, until the claimants
have proved that they never rendered aid