Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-24

alton of the postroute bill, the question
being on Senator Pratt's amendment,
declaring all bridges heretofore or here
after to be erected over navigable rivers
in the United States, or over lakes or
outlet of lakes, or over the arms of sea
or other bodies of water and all public
roads established or hereafter to be es-
tablished in States or Territories, and
used as public highways, to be postroads,
provided, that no service shall be or
dered on routes until after an examine-
ton and report of an agent of the post
office department, and that in the judg-
ment of the postmaster-general such
service is demanded by the public con-
venience and necessity.
Senator Morton opposed the amend
ment and, expressed the opinion that
it would be delegating powers of
congress to the postmaster general.
Congress alone had power to establish
postoffices and postrOads, and it could
not be conferred upon anyone.
Senator Hamlin opposed the amend
ment.
Senator Morrill, VT. moved to insert
in line six, after the word "highways,"
the words Tor leading from one town to
another, or from one village to another,
or from any railroad depot TO a town or
village" Agreed to.
The amendment of Senator Pratt as
amended by Senator Morrill,, was re-
jected.
Senator Sargent moved an amend
ment that from and after June 80, 1874,
transportation in the mails of all bound
books, seeds, cuttings, bulbs and general
merchandise, should be discontinued.
Senator Frelinghuysen said he doubt
ed that the postmaster-general desired
the passage of that amendment. Some
means should be furnished for sending
books throughout the country, and ne
had been told by the postmaster-general
within few days past that he intended
to reduce the postage on books.
Senator Ramsey appealed to the gen
tleman from California [Sargent] to
withdraw his amendment. 1t had
always been the practice of the senate
not to put general legislation in the pos
tai route bill, and he hoped the amend
ment would be offered at some other
time.
Senator Sherman, from the finance
committee, reported, without amend
ment, the house bill authorizing coinage
to be executed at the mints of the United
States for foreign countries.
Senator Wrights transportation bill
provides for the incorporation of a COM
pany 1.-THE names Of the proposed incor-
poIators are not mentiOned1, I, to construct
a ship canal around Niagara falls, the
United States government to indOrse
the construction bonds to the extent of
eighty per cent. of the cost of the under
taking, and to reserve the right to regu-
late its tolls.
Senator Pratt offered a resolution,
which was agreed to, directing the COM
mittee on postoffices aud pOstroads to
inquire whether a just cOnstruc-
ton of the constitution does
not require that all postoffices
should either be established by congress,
or that its consent be given, after they
have been established by the postmaster
general.
Senator Sargent said>he would with
withdraw the amendment, though he
had been assured by the postmaster
general that its passage would be ac-
ceptable to him. The amendment was
Withdrawn.
Senator Pratt offered an amendment
that no office should be established on
any route named in the bill until after
such authority had been given by con-
gress. Rejected.
The bill was then passed.
The senate went into executive session
and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
The morning hour was occupied III
the call of committees for reports of
private character, which were all re-
ferred to a committee of the whole.
The house then resumed consideration
of the West Virginia contested election.