National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-01-23

SENATE.
WEDNESDAY,, JAsuARr %, 1878.
MISSISSIPPI LEvEEs.
Mr.West presented memorial Of the citizens Of
Louisiana, asking that the national Government
assume the construction and care Of the levees
Of the Mississippi. Referred to the Committee
on the Leyees Of the Mississippi.
GRADES or ADMIRAL ABOLISHED.
Mr. Cngin, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported House bill 10 abolish the grades
Of admiral and vice admiral In the navy Of the
United states, to take effect when vacancies oc-
cur In said grades. Passed.
DENVER AND 0EoRaETowr RAILROAD.
Mr. Upton, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported a bill granting right Of way
through the public lands To the Denver and
Georgetown railroad, Of Colorado.
VALUE or ENGLISH SOVEREIGN.
MT. Ames, from the Committee on Finance,
elRhty-six cents and six and half mills as the
custom-house value Of the sovereign or pound
sterling q Great Britain and the par Of e1.
made after the list day Of January, 1874, based on
an assumed par Of exchange with Great Britain
and 70 Sens % tse pon
sterling shall be null and void. And II Is also
provided generally that the value Of all foreign
cOln as expressed In the money account OF the
United States shall be that Of the pure metal OF
such coin Of standard value; and the value Of
foreign standard coins In circulation In this
tor OF the mint and promulgated on the LIST day
Of January BY the Secretary Of the Treasury.
DISTRIBUTION or the GENEVA AWARD.
Mr., Edmunds from Judiciary Committee, re-
ported substitute for MortonS bill to regulate
tho distribution OF the Geneva award. The sub
s,Lg.s authorizes the PRESIDENT len TO sppSnt 1--WE
mssiouers of the Alabama Claims; one OF them
TO be called the presiding Judge. The court Is TO
conforming as far as possible TO he modes o.
practice In the United States circuit courts, and
IL 70 have the same power TO compel attendance
OF witnesses and production Of testimony.
Special provision Is made that books and papers
deemed material TO the consideration Of any
claim must be produced. Salaries are as follows:
Judges, 5000 each; clerk, 10 be appointed by
the President s., 900 shorthand reporter, o. 800.
The President Is especially authorized TO appoint
aperson to act as counsel for the United States
before the commissioners.
The slttings OF the court are 10 be held In WASH
lngton city, and II Is TO exist for one year from
il the President deems necessary. IL shall Se
the duty Of the court to receive and examine all
claims mot excepted as hereinafter stated Ill
rectly resulting from damage caused by the Ala
hama and Florida and their tenders and by the
shenandoah after her departure from Melbourne,
February Is, 1865, and TO decide upon the amount
and validity OF such claims according to the
principles OF law and their merits, and In con.
formity with the provisions Of this bill. No claim
shall he admissible or allowed for any loss OF
jured, his assRnees or legal representatives shall
have received compensation or Indemnity from
an1e may lie made for the difference between
losses suffered and Insurance received.
No claim shall be admitted or allowed for un.
pros or fot ocet Ssd E rTTSpetf or
longer time than enc year from Che breaking M
Of any voyage.
half OF any Insurance company or insurer, either
for themselves or as asslgnees Of the rights Of
parties insured, unless such claimant shall show
to the satisfaction Of said court that during the
late rebellion the sum Of Its or his losses by
war risks exceeded the sum OF its or his pre-
mlIms OF other gains by reason o. war rlsk.
not exceed such excess OF loss,
No claim shall be allowed In favor OF any In
s q ss dss SuS @S nM Of fT sse on
this Union, OF In favor Of any person not at said
time entitled TO the protection Of the United
states IN the premises, or In favor OF any person
who did not at all times during the late rebellion
bear true allegiance to the United Statesi
In estimating the compensation Of claimants
the court shall ascertain and certify to the Score.
tary Of state, with the judgment, the amount Of
interest, at four per cent. per Annum, upon
the actual loss sustained from the respective
dates In each case, when II was sustained by the
claimant. Five per cent, Of the total amount Of
the judgments shall be retained In the Treasury
for the Reimbursement to the United states Of
expenses, and the remaining nlnety-nye pei
cent. shah be paid to the claimants, together
with interest as aforesaid, unless the amount re
CelNed from Great Britain snail prove lnsuff
client, In which claimants shall re paid pro rata.
THK NAVY.
Mr.. Cragin, from the Committee on Naval Al
fairs, reported fayorably House bill TO prevent
the employment Of oiiiccrs on the naval retiret
list; also, favorably on the bill to promote the
securing OF efficient seamen for the navy.
THANKS 10 CArTAIS RfTCiIIE.
On motion OF Mr.. Fenton, the House Join
resolution rendering the thanks OF Congress u
Captain Daniel Rltchle, commanding the reyenu,
steamer MoccOsin, and the officers and meI
under his command, was taken up and passed.
bills HRroKTED.
MI, Tipton, from Committee on Public Lands
reported fAyOrably on bill granting right OF WA
through public lands to the Denver, South PARK
and Colorado railroad.
Mr.. buckingham, from Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported bill authorizing the Secretary o
the Interior TO negotiate with the Greek Indian,
for portion Of the lands occupied by them
Mr.. Carpenter, from judiciary Committee, re
ported, with amendment, House bill for the re
lief Of sllas Y. Boudinot
Mr.. stewart, from Committee on Pacific Rail
road, reported bin authorizing Texas PaCit'
railroad 70 pay their bonds In gold or other Lawful
money OF the United states. Passed.
BILL foR RKLIEF oP DEMPSEY AND OTOOLE.
Mr. Stevenson reported bill for the relief Of In
which was discussed until the expiration Of tn
morning hour, and then went over.
CREDENTIALS OF ArIIIAS AND RAY.
Mr.. West presented credentials Of w. NJ. Nc
Millah, elected Senator from Louisiana for u
credentials q John Ray, elected for the sam
term BY the Kellogg Legislature.
Both sets o. credentials were read, and theI
on motion Of Mr.. West, referred TO the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections.
BILL TO CONSTRUCT WAR VESSELS,
Inc unnnishea business, being the bill TO COZ
taken up, the question being on the amendmeI
Of Mr. sherman, pending at adjournment ye
terday, which was agreed to.
Tue question was then taken on increasing III
number OF ships TO be constructed to 10; whic
was agreed to.yeas y, nays ls,CasseTly, FeI