The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-03
CONGRESS SUMMARY.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, January %.

of the evils OF deprecated currency and adj |
vocated free banking on gold basis. The
issue of any more currency, he contended,
would be an evil, no matter how much
We would get in debt once more and another
crash would follow. Let step be taken to-
ward specie payment in time of peace and
prosperity. Congress ought. not to enconr-
age any speculation by dealing out more
money. He thought we would stand the eff
forts toward q return to specie payment
now, but if step be taken backwards 1t
could not be retraced.
Mr. Wright, of Iowa, moved that the pend
ing resolution be laid aside informally, and
the senate proceed to the consideration of the
house bill to abolish sthe office of deputy
commissioner of internal revenue.
Mr.. Logan, of Illinois, objected.
Mr.. Bayard, of Delaware, hoped no vote
would be taken on the financial resolution
to-day. He, with other gentlemen, desired
to speak, but were not ready to go on to-
day.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, said that while he
was anxious to get vote of the senate
on the resolution as soon as possible, he had
no desire to cut off any debate. AS the gen.
tleman from Indiana (Morton) would bring
up his privileged questionable louisiana
case-MoRday. he (Sherman) moved that
further consideration of the financial resO-
luton be postponed until Tuesday next. 1t
was so ordered.
On motion of Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, it was
agreed that when the senate adjourned to-
day it be till Monday next.
The bill to pay the bonds of the Louisville
and Portland canal was taken u o and passed.
1t provides that the appropriation OF March
3, 1873, be continued in full force and made
applicable to the payment of the debts of
said canal, and so much as may be neces-
sary shall be applied to the payment
of the interest as it accrues and the principal
off hon MT fa of a :
they mature, provided, however, that the
secretary of the treasury may purchase and
pay for any Of said bonds at their market
price, not above par, whenever he deems 1T
for the best interest of the United States
The bill further authorizes the secretary of
the treasury to take possession of said canal
and all property, real and personal, OF said
company within thirty days from the pas
sage of the act, as the property of the United
States, subject, however, TO mortgage or lien
on said property in favor OF the trustees
under said mortgage and the holders of
bonds issued under it. The secretary of the
treasury is authorized to to pay the directors
for stock held by them, and to cause full
examination of all receipts and disburse-
ments of the company to be made, and
to collect and. if necessary, sue
for any money due or held for
the company by directors or trustees
under said mortgage. The bill also pro-
vides that the canal and the property apper-
tanning thereto shall be held for the COM
mon use and benefit of the people of the
United States free of all tolls and charges,
except such as are necessary to pay the cur
rent expenses of said canal. and for the pres
ent year they shall be at the rate of ten ceuts
per ton capacity on vessels propelled by
steam and five cents per ton on other YES
sells, and to ascertain what rates will pay
the current expenses after the present year
the secretary of the treasury SHALL on the
first Monday of January in each year, ascer-
tain the expenditures of the previous year,
what tolls will probably pay expenses for
the current year, and fix the rate of tolls
thus ascertained to be charged for the cur
rent year.
The senate then resumed the considera-
ton of the post route bill, the question
being on Mr.. Pratt's amendment, declaring
all bridges heretofore or hereafter to be
rected over navigable rivers in the United
States, or over lakes and outlets of lakes, or
over arms of the sea or other bodies of water,
and all public roads established or hereafter
to be established in states or territories and
used as public highways, to be post roads,
provided that no service shall be ordered on
routes until after an examination and report
of an agent of the postoffice department, and
that, in the judgment of the postmaster gem
eral, such service is demanded by the put C
convenience and necessity.
Mr.. Morton, of Indiana. opposed the
amendment and expressed tho opinion that
it would be delegating the powers of congress
to the postmaster general. Congress alone
had power to establish postoffices and post
roads. and it could not be conferred upon
any one.
Mr.. Hamlin, of Maine. opposed the amend
ment.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, moved to insert
in line six, after the word "hiahways,' the
words, "or leading from one town to anoth-
er, or from one village to another, or from
any railroad depot to a town or village"
Agreed to. The amendment of Mr.. Pratt, as
amended by Mr.. Morrill,. was rejected.
Mr.. Sargent, of California, moved an
amendment, that from and after June 80.
1874. transportation in mails of all bound
books, seeds. cuttings, bulbs, and general
merchandise should be discontinued.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, said he
doubted that the postmaster general desired
the passage of that amendment. Some
means should be furnished for sending books
throughout the country, and he had been
told by the postmaster general within few
days past that he intended to reduce the
postage on books.
Mr.. Ramsey, of Minnesota. appealed to
the gentleman from California, Sargent, to
withdraw his amendmeut. IL had always
been the practice of the senate not to put
general legislation in a postal BILL and he
hoped the amendment would be offered at
some other time.
Mr.. Sargent said he would withdraw the
the postmaster general that its passage would
be acceptable to him. The amendment was
withdrawn.
Mr. Pratt offered an amendment that no
Office should be established on any route
named in the bill until after such authority
be given by congress Rejected. The bill
was then passed. The senate went into
executive session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
The morning hour was occupied in the
call of the committee for reports of private
character, which were all referred to COM
mittee of the whole. The house then resum-
ed the consideration of the West Virginia
contested election case. The discussion con-
tinued until two o'clock, when, by previous
arrangement, the house proceeded to the
consideration of business pertaining to the
District of Columbia. The only business re-
ported was bill in reference to the educa-
ton of the blind of the district, and that, az