Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
Working Men Tell Congressman
to Go Home.
Debate on Distribution of Ala
bama Award.
The Senate to Vote To-day.
House Rushes Through Three
Appropriation Bills:
The Indian, River Improvement
and Military Academy Bills.
A Triangular Squabble between
Blaine, Garfield and Potter.
SENATE.

SENAIE-
WASHINGTON, May 11.-Mr. Conkling
presented memorial of the Workinginens'
Convention that the two houses of Congress
adjourn sine die. He said the Judgment of
these memorialists was that the uncertain
feeling now prevailing throughout the
country on account of financial troubles
would be most efiectually ended by the adj
journment of Congress. Referred to the
Finance COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Scott, from the Committee on Claims,
reported adversely on House resolution
directing the Southern Claims Commission
TO send to Congress without delay list of
all claims decided prior to April 1, 1874.
Placed on calendar with the adverse re-
port.
A National Disgrace.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, introduced a
resolution directing the Committeeon Pub
lie Buildings and Grounds to ascertain if
the material in the present unfinished
Washington monument would be sufficient
for the erection Of an arch 10 be called
Washington arch, and if the Washington
Monument Society would consent to such
an arrangement.
Mr.. Morrill, said this monument in its
unfinished condition had long been a re-
proach to the country. Numerous projects
towards is completion had been made, but
all involved large expenditure of money.
He thought an arch might be erected out
of the material which would be credit to
the city, and in which the many beautiful
blocks already attributed could be dis
played to advantage. The resolution was
agreed TO.
Jay Cookies Pacific.
Mr.. Ramsey presented petition of the
Northern Pacific railroad, asking moditi-
cation of the charter granted. 1t is accom-
panied by bill amendatory and supple
mentary 20 the acts of Congress granting
lands for the construction Of the Northern
Pacific railroad. Referred to the Commit
tee on Railroads.
On motion of Mr.. Wright the Senate
bill for the better organization of the Dis
trict Courts of Louisiana, was Tecommit-
ted to the Judiciary COmmitte.
Fisk University.
The Senate then proceeded TO the con-
sideration OF bills on the calendar, and
passed, among others, Senate bills to con-
firm the purchase by the Executive Depart
ment of three acres of land in the vicinity
of Nashville, Tenn, known as the site of
Fort Houston, and to donate and convey
the same to Fisk University for education
al purposes; and for the relief Of those suf-
fering by the destruction of the salt works,
near Manchester, KY, pursuant to orders
of Gen. Buell..
The Geneva Award
The morning hour having expired the
Senate resumed consideration of tie
Geneva award bill, the pending question
-
out the clause excluding Insurance COM
panies from filing claims for losses sustain
ed.
Mr.. Edmunds gave notice on account of
the laieneSs of the season and the large
number of bills on the calendar, he would
ask the Senate to remain in session and dis
pose Of this bill to-day.
Mr.. Thurman addressed the Senate in
support Of his amendment. He did not ask
that the claims OF these insurance cOmpa-
MES should be allowed, but he did not ask
that they be permitted to file claims before
the court created by the bill and let them
stand or fall upon their merits. He said
there was not much use in his talking as
there were but few Senators in the chamber
and it would be so until the ime to vote.
Then they would come in and inquire how
did the committee vote? How did Messrs.
Smith, Jones and Brown? and so would
their votes be given.
Mr.. Bayard thought the denial Of the
claims of insurance companies by Govern
ment would be breach of honorable duty,
and one that if proposed by an individual,
instead of the Government, would not be
sustained by any court of equity in the
country. The Government could not hon
orably make any other disposition of the
money than TO execute the trust for which
it was received. Not one dollar of this
money could remain in the Federal Treas
ury after the dismissal of these claims, and
he would hereafter move an amendment
that any surplus should be
Paid Back 90 Great Britain.
The honor of the American people would
not permit a profit to the nation out of
money paid to satisfy the claims of its citi-
zens in accordance with treaty stipulations
by friendly power. He said if the United
States intended TO exclude insurance con-
panies, it should have said so when its citi-
zens were called upon to present their
claims. By not doing so then, it was
stopped from doing so.
Mr. Morton said Mr.. Edmunds at the
last session argued that this was a national
fund, having been recovered by the Gov
eminent to reimburse those who had suf-
fered loss by rebel cruisers. Ifhis position
was correct, why was it the bill provided for
the payment of the damage caused by the
Shenandoah? after her departure from
Melbourne on tSb. is, 1865, and not be-
fore that time.
Mr. Edmunds said it was on account of
the addition to the armament and crew of
the vessel received there through aid
of British Government that she was enabled
to destroy the vessels of those persons
whose claims the bill allowed.
Mr.. Boutwell, said he was inclined to
favor the amendment of the gentleman from
Ohio, (Thurman.)
Mr.. Frelingheuyson asked if his friend
Thurman thought the ship owner or mer-
chant could have any claim against Great
Britain.
Mr.. Thurman replied in the affir-
native.
Mr.. Frelinghuyson said there was sta
tue in prohibition of such claim.
Mr.. Thurman SAID that the statue pre-
vailed, that a citizen of the United States
should prosecute his claim against a for
eign government, through his own gov
eminent.
After some discussion it was proposed
that tomorrow be given to the completion
of the Geneva award bill, and Wednesday
to the consideration of bills from the Com
mittee on Claims.
Mr.. Sherman objected and said it was his
intention to move to take up
The New Finance Bill
Wednesday if possible.
1t was finally agreed that the vote on the
Geneva award bill should be taken to-
morrow, at o'clock, the Chairman of the
Judiciary Committee, (Edmunds) who has
charge of it to take the floor at II o'clock to
close the debate. Adjourned.
HOUSE
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