Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-17
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS.
TUESDAY, February Il,

a communication from the Secretary of tha
Treasury, covering the annual report of the
Coast survey. Referred 20 the Committee on
Printing.
Mr.. Schurz presented a memorial OF leading
bankers and business men OF 81. Louis pravins
aspeedy return 10 specie payments and opposing
any increase of the currency. Referred 10 the
Committee on Finance.
MIR. Pratt, from Committee on Claims. re-
poi ted bill for the relief OF those suffering by
the destruction OF the salt works near Msnches-
ter, KY, by order of Gen. Don Carlos Buell..
MIR. Scott, from the same committee, reported
adversely on bin for relief of heirs OF Asbury
Dlckins. The bill was placed on the CALENDER.
MIR. Bogy introduced bill TO repeal the I4th
section of the sundry civil appropriation bill OF
lsil, relative TO the Black Bob Indian lands.
Referred TO Committee on Indian fairs.
MIR. Gordon introduced bill TO repeal certain
patents of the Pension act of January 5, 1862
Referred TO Committee on Pensions.
Mr.. Hitchcock introduc bill ia reference to
the distribution Of arms to the state authorities
OF Nebraska Referred to Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
MIR. Logan, from Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill in reference to increase
in the Pay Department of the Army,
Mr.. Buckingham introduced bill to amend tie
Act making appropriations for the contingent
expenses OF the Indian department.
Mr.. Spencer, from Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bin in reference to lands owned
San Francisco.
Mr.. Fenton presented a memorial from i'm
| porters and merchants of New York city, asking
z.
effect which object they ask the passage of Sen.
ator Fenton's bill in reference to fines, penalties
and other forteitures. Mr.. Fenton said he had
offered his bill more than two years ago, which
he had prepared after consultation with Secre-
| tary Boutwell, and other Treasury officers, and
with persons familiar with the government SER
vice. His bill proposed TO equaliZe the compen-
sation OF customs officers, so that some
| of them shall not, as now. receive $1,000
| per anDum. Ii also distenses with the
system of walters, that great bane OF
the service, which was a fruitful cause of I'M
| quities and frauds on the part of customs of
hcers He then referred TO the fact that when
heen met by the chairman of the Committee on
RetenchmeDt (Mr. Buckingham with the
statement that that committee was considering
the subject. Nothing was done with it. and AZ
the next session, when he again brought the
bill forward, II was referred to the Committee
on commerce, and again nothing was done with
IT AT the beginning of this session il was again
| referred to the Committee on Commerce, and
he now requested that committee to either re-
| port the bill or better one, that the crying
abuses complained of might be remedied.
Mr.. Buckingham said the RetreDchmeut
Committee had worked faithfully and dill
gently, and it was no fault of the committee
ferrcd TO.
The calendar OF general orders was taken no
ana the following bills passed To change the
titles of certain naval officers. for the relief OF
| X. n. McMulen, late collector of customs and
superintendent of lights for the district OF Teche
m the state OF Louisiana, granting pension to
| Tor the relief of Matthew Woodruff; for the
| Tehe1 OF oliver Powers; for the relief of Lieut.
| A. '. Richards; authorizing the Secretary OF
War TO detail medical officers of the army TO
inquire INTO and report upon the causes OF
epidemic cholera; TO authorize the cancellation
OF an export bond for portion Of the distilled
spirits OF John ). Miller on board Of bonded
cars OF the United States.
Mr.. CTagiu, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill for the relief of the Off
GERS and crew OF the United States steamer
Wyoming.
Mr.. Anthony offered a resolution providing
Tor the appointment of two member OF the SEN
ate anu three members OF the House of Repre-
sentatlyes as board OF examination OF the ma
val academy.
Mr.. Carpenter introduced a bill in reference
10 the mode OF electing the President, &c. Re
Elections.
At the expiration of the morning hour the bin
the eQualize the distribution of the national
banking circulation was taken up, the pending
motion being that of Mr.. Buckingham TO re-
commit the bill 10 the Finance Committee.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Coburn, tInd.,l from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported a bill authorizing the
chief clerk of the War department to sign re-
QUESTIONS on the Treasury during the tempo
raTy absence of the Secretary of War, which
was passed. Also, reported adversely on the
memorial asking the issue OF tobacco to enlist
ed men OF the army; tabled. Also, submitted q
report III relation TO the communication OF the
Secretary of War Oh the subject of the papers
iii the Buell. court of inquiry. The Secretary
saws the documents are 30 volumnOus that II
Will require the employ ment OF a special clerk
TO copy them. The committee, therefore rec
Ommend an appropriation of 500 for the pay
ment OF such special clerk. Adopted.
Mr.. Hawley, (In.,) from same committee re-
ported bill TO amend the act for the establish.
ment OF military prison on the island of Rock
Island, SO as to provide for the removal of said
prison TO the military reservation at Fort Leav-
enworth, and for the use OF the government
buildings at the latter place.
MIR. Garfield (OhiO) said he was in favor of
this bill; but was also in favor of an amend
ment which would entirely repeal the law
authorizing the establishment OF the prison. No
Appropriation had yet been made to construct
the prison, and he hoped none would be made
He was opposed to a bill that would establish a
peniteutiary for military Offenses. He opposed
II, too, on the ground that il would cost too
much to transport the convicted soldiers from
the dlferent posts to the military prison. He
contended that the proper place for punish
ment was at the different posts of the army, and
then they could be returned to their rank in the
about them.
Mr.. Coburn (End.) contended that the bill was
IN the interest OF both humanity and economy
[ nGer existing law, soldiers guilty of military
offences were incarcerated in the state peniten-
tiaries with all manner of felons, and were ac-
cordingly degraded. 1t was therefore humane
10 pass this bill. To sustain his argument that
1t would be economical he called attention TO
the fact that military prisoners were now con-
tined in penitentiaries IN eleven different states
and at a vast EXPENSE.
After further discussion, the bill was passed.
Mr. Swami Md presented the memorial OF
Edward Stabler, Samuel Townsend and other
citizens Of Baltimore. demonstrating against
the restoration Of any duty Oh tea or coffee or
any increase OF internal taxes. Referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means.
MI. THOMAS y. c. called up the resolution
reported from the Committee on Elections de-
ciarlng w w; Wiltshire entitled prima facie TO
seat in the Forty-third Congress from the Sd
Arkansas district without prejudice to the
right OF Thomas NJ. Gunter to contest said seat
Upon its merits.
MIR. Lamar Miss. }, from the minority of the
same committee, submitted resolution recon-
hitting the case, with instructions to decide IL
and report IL upon its merits.