Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
Senate Opens Debate ON Distri-
button of Alabama Award.
The Centennial Bill Recommitted.
Bill for Settlement with Tennes-
see i'm Regard to Railroads
Passes the House.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, May s.-The Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of bills on cal
endar, and passed several of private ma
ture.
The morning hour having expired, Mr..
Bdnunds moved the Senate proceed to con-
sideration OF the Geneva award bill.
Agreed TO.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that as soon as
the Geneva award bill and the supplement-
airy civil rights bill were disposed of, he
would ask the Senate to take up the new
finance bill, reported by the committee on
Wednesday last.
Mr.. Oglesby, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs, reported with an amend
ment the bill to enable the Indians to be-
come citizens Of the United States. Placed
on the calendar.
On motion of Mr.. Washburne, the reso-
luton offered early in the session by the
late Senator Sumner for the settlement of
differences between nations by information
al arbitration, was taken from the table
and referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
Mr.. Carpenter introduced resolution
instructing the Judiciary Committee 10 in
quire and report whether section of the
act to establish police court in the Dis
trict of Columbia so far as the same denies
trial by Jury is constitutional. Agreed to.
The Alabama Award-The Insurance
Question.
The Geneva award bill was then read,
and the amendments proposed by the CON-
mittee agreed to. In explaining the provi-
sions of the bill, Mr.. Edmunds said the
money received by the Geneva award, was
the property Of the nation, aud woall be
distributed as the government thought
prOper-to reimburse those who had suffer
ed loss by the depredations of the Rebel
cruisers named. He coriteIided that the
government had no right to distribute any
of the money TO insurance companies, as
these companies received large premiums
for taking the risk, and it was therefore in
the nature of speculation by them.
Mr.. Thurman moved to STRIFE out the
provision that no claim shall be admissible
or allowed in behalf of any insurance COM
pany or insurer, either in its or his own
right, or as assignee or otherwise in the
right of the person or party insured as
aforesaid, unless such claimant shall show
TO the satisfaction of said court that during
the late rebellion the sum of its or his lOss-
eS in respect TO its or his war risks exceed
ed the sum OF its or his premiums or other
gains in respect to the war risks Of any
such allowance, and the same shall not be
greater than such excess of loss. He said
he was not in a condition to speak to-day,
on account of physical indisposition, but
this was bill involving the national honor.
and the Government was bound to do jus
Justice. There were more than one half Of
the seats in the chamber vacant to-day, and
such would be the case until the time came
TO vote on the bill. Therefore, there was
but little encouragement for a man tC
speak.
Mr.. Morton said as his friend Mr.. Thur
man was indisposed to-day and would
probably prefer to speak on Monday. ht
would request him to yield for a mo
ton for an executive session.
Mr.. Thurman agreed TO the proposition
and the Senate went into executive session
and soon aferward adjourned until Mon
day.