The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-06-23

Mr.. Garfield stated that they were
l24 in number and increased the bill as
passed by the House 81 100000, and
the committee had spent FIVE hours over
it yesterday. he was sorry 10 say. The
most important OF the amendments are
as follows: A provision for the num-
Der of copies Of the reports of the de-
psrtments annually printed shall be
limited 10 the needs OF Congress and
shall contain 10 expensive maps or IL
lusirstions without the special order OF
Congress. Concurred in. To increase
the salaries of the Assistant Secretaries
OF the Treasury, Solicitors OF the Treas
ury and Commissioners OF Customs, to
s45OO. Non concurred in. Approprl-
ating s342, 304 for the life saving sta-
tions on the sea and lake coasts. Con-
Cured in. Appropriating $4,000 for
an engine and machinery to destroy by
maceration cancelled bank notes instead
of by burning. Concurred in.
The proceedings up to this point be-
ing in the legislative day OF Saturday,
the House adjourned within a minute
of IL a. m, and at II to-dsy's leglsls-
tive session commenced.
Mr.. Butter, of Massachusetts present.
ed the conference report on the Geneva
award bill. The House agrees to the
Senate bill with certain modlhcatlons.
There are two new sections as to doc
umentary evidence and as TO the allow-
snce of council and attorneys fees OF
claimants, which allowance is to be
made part OF the Judgment; and there
ia a substitute Tor the ilth section. The
substitute provides tor the appointment
of a counselor at law TO represent the
United States in suits provided for IN
this bill.
Mr.. Butler briefly explained the re-
port. The committee agreed, he said,
TO the payment OF uninsured losses by
vessels for which the Geneva award
held the government OF Great Britain
liable. 1t agreed 10 the Senate bill 30
far as the latter did allow insurers
or underwriters payment, except where
on stating account OF profit and loss
il appears that the underwriters have
made a loas in their whole business.
The committee had passed from the
Senate bill the provision that loss and
judgments ehall be calculated in gold.
1t had struck out what WAS known as
the 5 per cent clause, by which the
government should retain 5 per cent.
Tor doing the business as a sort Of
claim agent fee, and only pay 70 per
cent OF the judgments. 1t had inserted
clause that instead OF the balance
being covered into the treasury 1t ls
allowed 10 RENAL u as fund from which
Congress may pay other lossee. 1t had
then agreed to the Court OF Commits
sions instead OF the Circuit Court, and
iu order to prevent great evils OF the
Court OF Commissions the Conference
Committee had made void, as the House
bill had done, all assignments for SER
vice, all contingent ices and had In
serted a provision that the Court ol
Commissions shall determine claims
for service in each case.
Mr.. Poland asked Mr.. Butler what
amount OF money would be paid under
this bill.
Mr.. Butterfly belief is not more
than three million dollsrs.
Mr.. Poland-What provision is made
for the balance OF the money.
Mr.. Bu.ler-The provision is that the
came shall be and remain fund from
which Congress may hereafter organize
the pavment OF other claims thereon.
Mr.. Tremau-As TO war premiums
AZ to owners OF uninsured vessels that
were destroyed by other cruisers than
three tor which England WAS held re-
sponsib!e, aud ss TO Insurance compan-
les that cannot show by their accounts
OF general business that they have sus'
tained losees, | understand that this
bill does not preclude them from ask
ing legislation from a subsequent Con-
gress. go, 3.
Mr.. Polaud-Does this bill positively
and absolutely forbid any payment tc
he made 10 insurance companies fol
these three vessels?
NJ. Butler-lt absolutely fortids il
but leavs it open to legislation here
after, as it does for war premiums and
men.
Mr.. E. r. Hosr asked Mr. Butler
whether the conference report, on being
summed up, amounted to this: Tha
it provides Ior the payment OF only ths
class OF claims about whic4 there can
be no dispute. aud leaves all others t
the future judgment OF Congress.
Mr.. ButIer-Exactly that.
Mr.. Eidrdge agreed that the anoun
OF the award belonged to the whole peo
pie, and he hoped the House woult
never agree to the report,
Mr.. FRYE declared that Mr.. FL
dridges doctrine WAS most monstrous
Mr.. Eldridge asked Mr.. Frye wheth'
er he had not affixed his name to th'
report stating that this money belonge'
to the United States, free and clear o.
any legal and equitable claim what
ever.
Mr.. FRYE admitted that he did So
the money belonged to the Unite
States, but to be distributed as the law
OF justice and equity demanded. He bell
to-day as he held in the beginning tha
the insurance companies had no righ
Whatever in this fund. He had nc
Welded his conviction on this point.
Mr.. Smith, OF New York, from th
Election Committee, reported 8 lolr
resolution for the amendment OF th
Constitution in regard to the electlo
OF President and Vice President, max
iug it by direct vote OF the people an
by Copgressiosl Districts. Ordered
be printed and recomu itted with lea'
to report at the next session.
Mr.. Kelly asked, but failed to oil
!, tain coneent to have an order mad
. fixing the Sth OF December next, f