The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-14
XLIID CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ID.
Mr.. Sawyer introduced bill to incorporate
the Eastern and Western Railway and Trans
portation Co., with power to construct and
maintain railroad from Port Royal, s. c., to
Leavenworth, Kan. Referred to the Commit
tee on Seaboard Transportation.
Mr.. Morrill, of VT, called up the bill for tn
further endowment and support of Agricultural
Colleges. He offered . substitute providing
that the proceeds of the sales of a half million
acres of public lands at 81 Is per acre shall be
appropriated to each State and territory having
such a college as contemplated by the bill.
Mr.. Window offered an amendment that the
bill be not construed TO change or limit the
operations of the homestead or presumption
laws.
Mr.. Sherman said that the bill would give
its constitutionality.
Messrs. Patterson and Flanagan advocated
the bill because the institutions aided were not
for the benefit of any section but for the whole
country.
Mr.. Sherman moved to amend the bill to ap-
propriats the proceeds of public lands to the
support of common schools.
Mr.. Sherman's amendment was lost Yeas
9, nays 50.
Mr.. Thurman moved to refer the bill to the
Committee on Public Lands. Lost II to 26.
Pending further action the Senate went in
to executive session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Many bills were introduced and referred, in
Guiding the following: Authorizing the Post
master General to establish post routes in
stead of requiring action by Congress; for the
reorganization of the Treasury Department, fix
ing salaries and establishing therein civil SER
vice reform; requiring national banks to restore
their capital when impaired; providing an
amendment to the constitution for consolidation
Of the public debt and interest, and for the pay
ment of current expenses of the government;
for the repayment of the income tax collected
from the judicial officers of State; providing for
an increase in national bank notes and the Or
ganzation of national banks without circula-
banks ito equalize newspaper postage, to repeal
the stamp duty on friction matches; to aid in
rebuilding the Mississippi levees
On motion of Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania, a
dietary Committee into the conduct of Judge
Durrell, and whether he usurped the jursdlc-
ton not vested in his court, and providing for
his impeachment on that event. the committee
to have power to send for persons and papers
Mr.. Hubbard of New Hampshire submitted
and moved the previous question thereon, a
bill repeating the section of the army apppro-
priation bill of March Sd, 1871, requiring the
payment to the Pacific Railroads Of half the
charges for transportation of the mails and
government supplies, instead of allowing de-
duc,ion to meet the payment of interest on
their bonds.
Mr.. Sargent of California moved to table the
bill Negatived, II to 163, and the bill at the
expiration of the morning hour went over to
next Monday.
Mr. Beck Of Kentucky moved to suspend the
rules and pass the bill repeating the law for the
ironclad test oath. Lost by yeas 1923, nays 66.
Less than two thirds in the affirmative.
Mr.. Sheldon of Louisiana moved to suspend
the rules aud pass a concurrent resolution for
the appointment of a joint select committee OF
three Senators and six Representatives to IN
quire into the Louisiana election and report
whether any legal government was there, ana
authority which should be recognized by Con-
gress, with power to take testimony in Wash
ington and Louisiana and send for persons and
papers; -
allow an hours debate.
Mr.. Sheldon of n. Y, opened the debate by
statement showing the necessity and proprie-
ty of Investigation. 1t was due to the Presi-
dent, who had been attacked for his action in
the matter. 1t was due to Judge Durall and it
was due to the Republicans of that State. If
there had been corrupt and extraordinary pro-
ceedings there the masses of the people of both
parties were entirely innocent of them.
Mr.. Eldridge Of Wisconsin suggested that
United States Judge, but a. Vice Regent of
Almighty God, sitting to dispense justice.
Mr.. Sheldon--He is United States Judge
nevertheless. do not say whether he had done
right or done wrong. Ipass no opinion on his
| action.
| A long discussion followed, which was partic.
| ipated in by Messrs Butler, Kerr, Farnsworth.
Bingham, Dawes, Schofeld, Hale, Poland and
| others.
| Mr.. Garfield of Ohio, offered, as a substitute
a resolution referring the Presidents message
on the subject of Louisiana to the Judiciary
| Committee, with instructions to report whether
any facts in the case require action by Congress
| Adopted.
On motion of Mr. Hubbard of N. Y. the
ruled were suspended so as to allow his PROPOSE
ton in reference to the Pacific railroads to be il
order as an amendment to the legislative ap
preparation BILL
Mr.. Sargent of CAL, moved suspension OF
the rules, to enable him to offer as an amend
the Attorney General to institute in equit
against the Pacific Railroad Co. s, to ascertain
whether they are in default to the government
Without vote the House adjourned