Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-04
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, February 4.

SENATE.-Mr. Fenton presented several
petitions against imitation of the currency from
business men of New ork city, which were re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.
On molten OF MIR. Morrill, (Vt), the Commit
tee on Public Buildings and Grounds were su-
thoIiZed to send for persons and papers in thr
pursuit of the investigation into tue quality of
the illuminating gas furnished in the District OF
Columbia.
Mr.. West offered a resolution, which was re-
TERED, authorizing the Secretary of the Senate
TO pay TO Messrs. Ray and Mcmillan, former
claimants for a seat in the Senate from LouIsi-
ana, the amount of the full compensation of a
Senator from the time they were elected up to
March 4, 1873.
Mr.. Fenton introduced bill to refer to thu
Court of Claims for adjudication the claims for
compensation for the use OF Norton's hand
stamp and RObinson's hand stamp. Referred
to Committee on POst-Office.
TIE BILL TO EQUALIZE CIRCULATION.
MI Sherman called up bill reported from the
Finance Committee yesterday TO equaliZe the
national bank note circulation; which was dis
eussed until the expiration OF the morning
hour, when it went over.
The bankrupt bill being the unfinished bust
ness, was then proceeded with.
The pending question was on the amendment
OF Mr. Ogesby, TO the effect that the stoppage
OF the payment of this commercial paper for
forty days after due shall not be deemed evil
dence of bankruptcy.
nullity.
Mr.. Logan expressed his opposition to the
principle OF bankrupt laws, as it did not issue
fair dealing between man and man. He thought
IL should not be In the power OF a mans credi-
tors to force him into bankruptcy because he
might be unable to meet his paper for few
Mr.. Thurman said It had been feared that the
provisions OF the committee in this respect were
too liberal, it was more liberal than that of any
law OF any other country; the time fixed by the
law as II now stood was only IA days.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Speaker laid before the House number of Ex
ecutive communications, which were referred
A resolution was adopted, directing the Com
missioner of Agriculture TO transmit to the
House report received last year from Hon
Geo. P. Marsh, la,e U. S. Minister to Italy, OIL
the subject of irrigation.
The House resumed consideration of the re-
port submitted yesterday by Mr.. Thomas, IN
O. from the Committee on Elections, declaring
that Asa Hodges had prima faeis right to tue
seat as Representative from the 1st district o.
Arkansas. The report was adopted, and Mr..
Hodges was sworn in.
Mr.. Houghton, (Cal) from the Committee on
Pacific Railroad, reported bill to incorporate
the southern branch OF the Continental railroad
company, and to grant right OF way through
public lands.
The bill was referred to the committee Of the
whole.
Mr.. Lawrence, (Ohio) from Committee on
War Claims, reported bill extending the time
for filing claims before the claims commission
until March Sd, 1875, in all cases where it shall
be shown that the claims could not be filed
earlier. All claims not filed before said Sd of
March, 1875, shall be forever barred, and shall
not be considered by said commission.
The bill was referred to the committee of the
whole, as ii contained an appropriation.
Mr.. Conger, (Mich.) from the Committee on
Commerce, reported bill to change the name
OF the pleasure yacht Mary, of Detroit, to Lille
Passed. Also, reported bill authorizing the
issue OF an American register to the British
schooner Carrie, of Eastport, Maine. Passed.
MIR. Negley, pa from the same committee,
reported bill 10 amend the act 10 provide for
the better security of the lives of passengers OIL
vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam.
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Townsend, PA. y from the Committee or
Public Lands, reported bill to secure home
steads to actual settlers on the public lands
Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Dunnell, (MiDn.,) from same committee
reported bill granting certain swamp lands in
county of Hope, Missouri, to said county for
school purposes. Passed.
The House then, in Committee of the Whole
ton bill. :
Mr.. Beck (Ky.) moved to amend the para.
graph in relation TO pay of the army by adding
proviso that officers travelling shall be allowed
only their actual travelling expenses, ana nc
other pay ments shall be allowed whatever, and
no disbursing officer shall allow any expense in
excess es Of what is authorized by this proviso,
The said proviso to apply to all persons travel
log under orders of the government, and to b.
in lieu OF mileage. further provs1 was added
that no credit should be allowed in excess OF
ten cents per mile.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Holman (Ind) offered a further amend
ment, that TO money should be paid out of any
appropriation under this act to any railroad
company for transportation of troops or of gov
eminent property which has been constructed
in whole or in part by donations of money or
land from the United States, and which were
declared to be public highways, and that NJ
money shall be paid to said road by office OF
the army when travelling under orders.
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
Pending the discussion of this amend n emf
the Speaker resumed the chair, and stated that
Mr. Hale IN. " and Mr.. Clymer (Pa) had de-
clined service GU the committee to investigate
the affairs of the District. Mr.. Wheeler (N.Y1
and MIR. Hamilton IN. j. were appointed IN
their places. Mr.. Wheeler immediately de-
cliDed, and Mr.. Z. III. Roberts (N.Y.) was then
appointed.