The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-24
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT
Passage of the General Post Route
Bill by the Senate.
PRIVATE BILL DAY IN THE HOUSE.
SENATE.

10 rCSOuClOu Oi Ildt DOuy, giving dS
to the convenences furnished immigrants. Laid
ON the table.
PETITIONS PRESENTED
Petitions were presented as fOllows:-
BY Mr.. ALLISON, trep.) of Iowa-From citizens OF
Dubuque, Gregory Lansing, New Albion, Clinton
and Harper's Ferry, Iowa, and Brownsville, Mimi,
asking that the bridge across the Mississippi River
at Clinton, Iowa. be opened to all railroads desr-
ing cross the river on II, Referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce.
BY Mr.. CoNKLINa, (rep.) OF N. Y.-Resolutions OF
the New York Chamber Of Commerce, asking the
amendment Of the law in relation to fines and
notifies under the Custom House laws.
Also petition OF members Of the Bar Of Camden
and Madison, N Y, asking the repeal Of the Bank
rupt law. Laid on the table.
Also the resolution of the National Board OF
Trade, expressing the opinion OF the Board that
the award made at Geneva should be shared by
the underwriters. Referred to the Judiciary Com
CONFIRMATION OF LAND TITLE
Mr.. TIPTON, Uep.) of Neb.. from the Committee
ON Pubic Lands, reported fav0rably on the bill to
confirm the title 10 certain lands purchased on The
site OF the Fort Kearny military reservation.
Passed.
LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL BONDS
Mr. SHERMAN, rep.l OF ONO, from the Finance
Committee, reported favorably on the bill to pay
Placed on the calendar.
CHARGES AGAINST DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA oFFI-
GALS
Mr.. THURMAN, tdem.) Of Ohio, presented petit
1iOn, asking Congress to appoint committee to
examine INTO the manner n IN which me affairs OF
conducted and especially those OF the Board OF
Public Works, and that the petitioners be allowed
to be present by counsel at such investigation. In
presenting the petition Mr.. Thurman said it was
signed by many respectable people OF tue District
the Dlatrlct UOVernmeDt. He did
offer at this time any resolution for the appoint
ment OF such committee, but he had been told
the charges, and 1t would be time enough then to
offer the resolution. He thought the petition
contents, and therefore moved that it be laid on
the table and printed.
Mr. CoNKLING, OF New York, said he had no desire
to object to the petition but he thought useless to
print 1t. 1t would he printed in the papers here
and as the District of Columbia is only seven miles
square there was far less reason why the petition
should be printed, 1t was not OF general interest
He did not wish to diminish the effect OF the pc IT,
uon, but thought IL unnecessary to print 1t.
charges, he expressed no opinion whatever, but he
thought it right to print the petition.
was called upon every year to pay large sums of
money to the Board OF Public Works, and all in
formation possible should be made pubic.
Mr.. SHERMAN. OF Ohio. said he did not think it
right to print these charges until they should be
supported by testimony. His colleague (Mr. Thur
NAM had said in due time the testimony would be
presented. Then 1t would be time enough to print
them; but it was not right TO give them publicity
now.
The motion to print the resolution was referred
to the Committee on Printing.
ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR TRAFFIC..
Mr.. WRIGHT, (rep.) OF Iowa, from the Finance
Committee, reported unlavoraDy on the petitions
asking the appointment of a commission 70 inves-
liquors. the House bill to accomplish the object
having already been reported upon favorably.
AN OFF1CE TO BE DISCONTINUED.
Mr.. WRIGHT, from the same committee, reported
fav0rably on the House bill TO ABOLISH the office OF
deputy commissioner OF internal revenue. Placed
on the calendar.
RHODE ISLANDS BIG GUN.
Mr.. KELLY. tdem.l OF Oregon, from the Com
the bill authorizing the Secretary Of war to de:
liver to the State Of Rhode Island gun marked
"Ba!tery b, First regiment, Rhode Island Light
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. CONKLING, OF New York, introduced a bill to
commission and to otherwise provide I0r safety III
sea travel. Referred to the Committee on Com
merce.
Mr.. EDMUNDs, rep.) OF VT, introduced bill to
change the name OF the registered steamer Cakes
Ames to Champlain. Referred to the Committee
Mr.. HAxLrN, rep.) of Me-, introduced a bill
donating certain condemned s G, cannon L. to the
the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. RAMSEY, lrep.) OF Mimi, introduced a bill
to provide for ascertaining and settling private
land claims.
Mr.. WRIGHT, of Iowa, introduced bill to pro-
vide for cheap transportation by way OF the great
lakes OF the Northwest Referred 10 the Commit
Mr.. FRELINGHUYsEN, (repo Of j.. introduced
bill TO facilitate the distribution OF public docu-
ments. Referred to the Committee on Post
Ofices and Post Roads.
In introducing the bill Mr.. FRELINGHUYsEN said
he acknowledged the fact that the adjustment OF
the franking privilege caused great Inconvenience
on account Of the inability TO distribute public
documents to colleges and state libraries wanting
them. His bill contemplated q reduction OF post
age to twenty-five cents per volume, ana dis
pensed with prepayment ofpostage upon the same.
COINAGE FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Mr.. SHERMAN from the Finance Committee re-
ported without amendment the House bill author
izing coinage to be executed at the minis Of the
United States for foreign countries.
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS.
Mr.. Ramsey's bill for the settlement Of private
land claims provides for the creation OF a board of
three commissioners, to hold Office for three
years, who shall hold sessions at such times and
places the President of the United States shall
direct, and shall determine the validity of all I'M
settled private land claims in Nevada Kansas,
New Mexico Arizona Colorado, Wyoming and
the united states district courts.
SAFETY OF SEA TRAVEL.
Mr. Conklings bill to provide for an international
ocean courses Tor steam vessels and otherwise
provide for increased safety OF sea travel
directs the President to appoint commis-
sloner, on the part OIL the United States, to
meet with such other commissioners as may
be appointed by foreign maritime Powers, whose
cO-OperatOn he shall invite for the above described
purpose. The United States commissioner Is to
be confirmed by the senate The bll is framed IN
accordance with the memorial Of the New York
Chamber of Commerce on tile said subject.
NIAGARA SHIP CANAL.
Mr.. Wright's transportation oil provides Tor the
Incorporation OF company he names OF the pro-
posed Incorporate rs not mentioned) to construct
= ship canal around Niagara Falls the United
States government to endorse the construction
bonds to the extent Of eighty per cent of the cost
Sof the undertaking. and to reserve the right TO
regulate Its tolls.
ESTABLISHMENT OF POST OFFICES.
Mr.. PRATT offered resolution, which was agreed
TO. directing the Committee on Post Omces ana
Post Roads to inquire whether just construction
OF the constitution does not require that all post
ounces should either be established by Congress or
Shau us consent be given alter they nave been es-
tapilshed by the Postmaster General.
IMPROVEMENT AT THE MISS1sSIPPIS MOUTH.
Inc Dill 10 facilitate the execution and 10 pro-
tect certain public works of Improvement at the
mouth OF the Mississippi River was taken
up. tne OIL! directs the Secretary Of War
20 assume null control over the particular
channel AZ tne mouth OF the Mississippi River in
course OF excavation, and authorizes that officer
10 establish such regulations respecting the use of