Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-24
COmmunica ion from Secretary Robson
In Regard to Emigrants Mississippi 3
River Bridge Open TO ali
Railroads.
The Louisville and Portland Canal
Thurman After the District Of Co.
lumbia Cheap Trans
pOrtatiOE.
Protection to the Mouth Of the Missis.
sippi River-The Finance QdestlOn-
The POstrOute BiIl-Business In
the House, Rtc.


cation from the secretary of the treasu-
ry, in answer to a resolution of that
body, giving information as to the con-
veniences furnished emigrants. Laid
on the table.
A petition was presented by Senator
Allison, from citizens of Debuque, Lam
sing, Gregory, New Albion, Clinton,
and HarpeTs Ferry, Iowa, and Browns
vile, Minnesota, asking that the bridge
across the Mississippi river at Clinton
be opened to all railroads desiring to
cross the river on it. Referred.
Senator Upton, from the committee
on public lands, reported favorably on
the bill to confirm the title to certain
lands purchased on the cite OF the Fort
Kearney military reservation. Passed.
Senator Sherman, from the finance
committee, reported favorably on the
bill to pay the bonds OF the Louisville
and Portland canal, which was placed
on the calendar.
Senator Thurman presented a petition
asking congress to appoint committee
to examine into the manner in which
the affairs of the government Of the Dis
trict of Columbia are conducted, and
especially those of the board Of public
works, and that petitioners be allowed
to be present by counsel at such investi-
CATION. In presenting the petition
Senator Thurman said that it was
was signed by respectable people of the
District Of Columbia, and contained
grave charges against the district gov
ernment. He did not propose at this
time to offer any resolution for the ap-
pointment of such a committee; but he
had been told that evidence would be
submitted to sustain the charges, and it
would be time enough then to offer the
resolution. He thought that the petit
tions should be printed, so that the peo-
pie could see its contents, and therefore
moved that it be tabled and printed.
After being discussed, the motion to
print was referred to the committee on
printing.
Senator Wright, from the finance COM
mittee, reported favOrably on the house
bill to abolish the Office Of deputy COM
missioner of internal revenue. Placed
on calendar.
Senator Wright introduced bill to
provide for cheap transportation by way
of the great lakes of the northwest. Re-
ferred.
A bill to facilitate the excavation, and
to protect certain public works of i'm
sippi river, was taken up. The bill di-
rects the secretary Of war to assume full
control Of every particular channel at
the mouth of the Mississippi river in
course of excavation, and authorizes that
officer to establish such regulations re-
speeting the use Of or passage through
such channel as he shall deem needful
to protect the channel, facilitate the ex-
cavation, etc.; and that any person viO-
lating such regulation shall, upon con-
viction, be punished by fine of not ex-
Ceeding five hundred dollars, or by i'm
Of not more than six months,
or both. After discussion, in which it
was conceded that the work should be
finished, and the tOWboat monopoly
abolished, the unconstitutionality of the
pending measure was urged, and the
bill was recommitted to the committee
on commerce.
The regular order being the resolution
reported by the finance committee, it
was called up.
Senator Stewart spoke of the evils of
deprecated currency, and advocated free
banking on a gold basis, and the issue of
any more currency. He cOntended that it
would be an evil no matter how much
should be issued, fifty million or a hun
dred million. We would get in debt
once more and another crash would fol-
low. Let steps be taken for specie pay
ment in time of peace and prosperity.
Congress ought not to encourage any
speculation by dealing out more money.
He thought we would stand efforts to-
ward return Of specie payment now,
but If step be taken backward it could
not be retraced.
Senator Wright moved that the pend
ing resolution be laid aside informally,
and the senate proceed to the considera-
ton of the house bill to abolish the Office
Of deputy-commissioner Of internal rev.
enue.
Senator Logan objected.
Senator Bayard hoped no vote would
be taken on the financial resolution to-
day, as he, with other gentlemen, de-
sired to speak, but were not ready to go
on to-day.
Senator Sherman 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 gentleman from Indiana Morton
would bring up his privileged question,
the Louisiana case, on Monday. He
moved that further consideration of the
financial resolution be postponed until
next. 1t was so ordered.
On motion of Senator Allison, it was
agreed, that when the Senate adjourns
to-day it shall be until Monday next.
The bill to pay the bonds of the Louis
vile and Portland canal was taken UP,
and passed. 1t provides that the appro-
priation of March 8, 1873, be continued
in full force, and made applicable to the
payment of the debts of said
canal, and so much as may be necessary
shall be applied to the payment of the
interest as 1t accrues, and the principal
of the outstanding bonds of the company
as they mature; provided, however, that
the secretary of the treasury may pur-
chase and pay for any Of said bonds at
their market price, not above par, when
ever he deems it for the interest of the
United States. The bill further author
izes the secretary Of the treasury to take
possession OF said canal and all the prop
erty, real and personal, of said company
within thirty days from the passage of
the act, as the property Of the United
States, subject, however, to the mort
gage or lien on said property in ia
vor of the trustees under said
mortgage and holders Of bonds issued
uuU6I IL. Iuc SecI0LdIy lS duInOIlAeu W
pay the directors for the stock held by
them and to cause full examination of
all receipts and disbursements of the
company to be made and to collect and,
if necessary, sue for any moneys due
to or held for the company by the direc-
tors or trustees under said mortgage.
The bill also provides that the canal and
all property appertaining thereto shall
be held for the common use and benefit
of the people of the United States, free
of all tolls and charges, except such as
are necessary to pay the current expenses
of said canal, and for the present year
they shall be at the rate of ten cents
per ton capacity on vessels propelled by
steam, and five cents per ton on other
vessels; and to ascertain what rates will
pay current expenses after the present
year, the secretary shall, on the first
Monday in January of each year, ascer-
tain the expenditures of the previous
year and what tolls will probably pay ex-
penses for the current year, and fix the
rate of tolls thus ascertained to be
charged for the current year.
The senate then resumed the consider