The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-02-20
CONGRESSIONAL.

the constitutional power of congress by law so
to regulate commerce among the states as to
protect that portion of the internal commerce
which is among the several states, from all
unjust or oppressive tolls, taxes, distractions
or other burdens, whether imposed by rail
road companies or by combinations thereof,
or by other common carriers and that the
present condition and magnitude of commerce
among the states demand the prompt and
wise action of these powers and duties. Bills
were introduced to repeal internal revenue
the Atlantic and Great Western canal COM
pany for the construction of FOIt st. Philips
canal for the construction of the Atlantic
and Great Western canal, by the Endorsement
of bonds and the issue of curreIIcy notes to
an amount not exceeding 81, 900, 900, and for
opening the navigation of the Tennessee and
Coosa rivers, III Alabama, AMI Ocmulgee, in
Georgia. The bill embodies the idea of COM
bining the water improvements and the ex-
panson of commerce. 1t is to be followed by
a general bill on the subject of internal i'm
provements. Adjourned.
In the senate, on the 9th, Senator
Sargent presented the credentials of John S.
Hager, senator from California, who was
sworn in. Mr.. Boutwell, introduced bill
amendatory of the national currency act
which was referred. The bill contains two
sections; one prohibiting national banks from
paying or receiving interest on deposits, and
the other requiring national banks TO keep
seventy-fiYe per cent. of their reserves at
home. The bill for the relief of East Ten
nessee university, appropriating $4,000 to
compensate that institution for property be-
longing to 1t being occupied and destroyed
during the late war; was taken up and passed
40 to 20. The morning hour having ex-
pired, the senate resumed the consideration
of the bankrupt bill, the amendment being
that of Mr. Thurman, which was rejected
Several additional amendments were adopted,
as follows: Authorizing notaries public to
take dispositions in bankrupt cases; giving
the assignee authority to bring suits 10 re-
cover debts in state courts for all sums under
five hundred dollars, unless the court having
charge of the state shall order the contrary.
An amendment was offered giving to courts OF
record of the several states having superior
Jurisdiction and jury trials, power in the
bankrupt law the same as the United States
courts provided the parties should have the
same right OF appeal for removal OF causes
to the highest court of review, as ID allowed
by state laws. A bill was introduced to amend
+ the internal revenue laws. It provides that
all the provisions of the laws heretofore exist
ing in relation to imposition of stamps upon
written Instruments and all penalties i'm
posed by the law for the omission or failure to
stamp such instruments as lear date prior to
the establishment of revenue districts IN the
states engaged in rebellion, shall be repealed.
It further provides that the time allowed for
stamping deeds, mortgages and other papers
| which bear date since the establishment OF
| said revenue districts, can be extended by any
| judge or justice of the peace IN sald lnsurrec-
/ IlOudIN stdbOS may dlIaCL bbdiIBS, do LStObO-
fore required, on said document. The COM
| missioner of internal revenue is authorized to
/ furnish stamps for such purpose, to the order
| Of the president or cashier of any national
i qaDk, upon certificate of deposit IN such
| oank Adjourned.
In the senate, on the 10th, memorial
was presented and referred, from the New Or
/ leans chamber of commerce, asking for appro-
priations to reopen the mint at New Orleans
also. bill to relieve the political disabilities
of Raphael Semmes. of Alabama. A resolu-
/ ton was agreed to, requesting the secretary
/ of the treasury to inform the senate what time
will be required after the resumption of spe-
! Gle payment to enable the mints of the uni
! ted States to manufacture enough silver coin
/ to replace fractional currency. "A bill was in
| troduced authorizing the coinage of 2O-cent
! silver pieces 1t proposes to make them le-
! gal tender at their nominal value for amounts
not exceeding five dollars in any one pay
| ment. The morning hour having expired, the
| senate recalled the consideration OF the bank
| rupt bill the pending amendment being that
| of Mr.. Merrimon, giving to state courts the
| same power as federal courts IN executing
| the bankrupt law which was rejected. The
| following amendments were then agreed to,
and the bill passed - 43 to IL: To fill the
| blank in the section in relation to compost
tion with creditors, 50 to provide an ar
| rAngement for settlement between creditors
and debtors, which, i'll order to be valid, shall
receive the signatures of two thirds of the
number of creditors representing one-half the
value of debts; to fill the blank as to the time
when the provision of the 39th section, as
amended by the committee, shall take effect,
by inserting the first day of January, 1873, Sc
that the section shall apply to all cases of COM
pusory or involuntary bankruptcy commenced
since that date; creditor proving his debtor
claim shall not be held to have waived his right
of action or suit against bankrupt when q
discharge has been refused OF proceedings de
| termined without discharge; all notes oi
sales under this act by any assignee or officer
| of court shall be published in a newspaper tC
be designated by the judge. which, in his
! opinion, shall be best calculated to give gen.
erRl notice of the same. Tue bill now gOe;
back to the house for the concurrence of that
body. Adjourned.
Iu the house, on the 10th, bill was
passed, ameRdatory of the general postofic'
law, by prescribing the oath of Office to be ia
ken by postmasters. The southern claims bill
was considered. The 4th of the section bill
requires that all claims for stores or supplies
taken or furnished during the rebellion for tia
use of the army including all such claims nov
pending and dundeterminedin any Departmental
the government, shall be presented before tn
LIST of November, 1874, to the southern claim
/ commissioners, who shall have exclusive in
risdictiOn to hear and determine them. Al
claims not presented before that day are T.
be barred. The transfer of claims from tht
J quaTtermaster's department are to be consid
: cred as the presentation of claims. Tn
most important amendments adopted were on
extending the time from November, 1874, Z
November, 1875, and for the appointment o
two additional commissioners. An amend
ment was also adopted, transferring to com
/ missioners all evidence now on file with tn
acknowledgement and commissary-gen
eral The most OF the session was take
up by Mr.. Butler in personal explanations o
no general interest.
In the senate, on the 11th, the morn
ing hour was given to debate on the resolutio
calling upon the president to inform the SCI
ate whether any officer of the United State
army ON duty in South Carolina had been il
strumental in procuring legislation in thl
state to compensate him for services rendere
in the discharge of his duty, etc, in the cours
of which it was charged that Major Louis Me
: ril of the army, had received S2l, 400 OF ths
amount and had been busy IN obtaining ia
passage of the act authorizing the reward
the South Carolina legislature. The bill
withdraw S25, ,000, 900 national bank eurrenC
VAS proceeded with, and an amendment to th
section authorizing the comp, roller OF currei
? cy TO issue S25, 000, 600 to those states havlE
) less than their proportion, declaring that Il
E comptroller might do so without waiting Il
the return of the circulating notes of osh'
banks, was agreed to. An amendment va
7 offered to substitute $50, 600. .0O0 and pendin
discussion, thereon the senate adjourned
q In the house, on the 11th bill wf
d passed extending to the lst of January. 1877
:. the time within which settlers on the Cheroka
!. strip in Kansas may make proof Of settemel
y and payment, deferred payments TO bear
;, per cent interest The senate smendmeu