Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-04-25
XLIIId CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

Mr. johnson, Of Virginia introduced bill
giving Jurisdiction to the Court Of Claims to
hear the claim Of G. W. Custis Lee, son Of the
late Gen. Lee, to the Arlington estate, which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
A petition accompanied the bill, in which the
petitioner says the property was devised to him
by his grandfather, and that the title Of the
Government to the property is defective. He,
however, recognizes the sacred use TO which
the property has been put, and has no desire to
disturb it, but thinks he should be compensated
for his right therein.
The bin to provide for the payment of the
bonds of the Louisville and Portland Canal
Company was taken up, the pending question
being ON referring it to the Committee ON
the Judiciary. Messrs. Conklin and Freling-
huysen advocated such reference. Messrs.
Thurman and McCreery opposed it, and favored
a committal of the subject to the Committed on
Finance which was adopted after some discus
sion.
Mr.. Conl1ling's amendment to the currency
bill is as follows "That nothing in this act
shall be construed to authorize an increase OF
the principal of the public debt Of the United
States" was rejected by vote of "a to 81. Mr..
Scott, of Pennsylvania, moved as an amend
ment to the section authorizing the increase of
SAG, 600 600 national bank currency, the follow
ing: And each national banking association
now organized, or hereafter to be organized,
shall keep and maintain as a part of its reserve
required by law one-fourth part of the coin re-
ceived by it as interest on the bonds of the
United States deposited as security for circula-
ting notes on Government deposits; and that
hereafter only one-fourth of the reserve now
prescribed by law for national banking assOcia-
tions shall consist of balances due to an associa
ton available for the redemption of its circula-
ting notes from associations in cities of redemp-
ton, and upon which balances no interest shall
ha maid AInYfp1 nv a vpta IF 90 r., Of
The bill was then read a third time, and
passed. by yeas 20 to nays "a
The bill, as passed, reads as follows: That
the maximum amount of United States notes is
hereby fixed at $500, 000, 900.
SECTION 2. That $4,000 900 in notes flor
circulation, in addition to such circulation now
allowed by law, shall be issued to national
banking associations now organized ard which
may be organized hereafter, and such increased
circulation shall be distributed among the
several States as provided in section l of the
act entitled An act to provide for the redemp-
ton of the three per centum temporary loan
certificates, and for an increase of national
bank notes." approved July II, 1870, and each
national banking association now organized or
hereafter to be organized shall keep and main
tain as q part of its reserve required by law,
one-fourth part of the coin reserved by it as
interest on bonds of the United States, de-
posted as security for circulating notes on
Government deposits and that hereafter only
one-fourth of the reserve now prescribed by
law for national banking associations shall con-
slst of balances due to an association available
for the redemption of its circulating notes from
associations in cities of redemption, and upon
which balances no interest shall be paid.
Mr.. Hamlin, of Me-, introduced bill to re-
! lieve ships and vessels from compulsory pilot
fees in certain cases.
Senator Morrill, of Vt. from the Finance
| n L. i
favorably on the Senate bill providing for the
resumption of specie payment and for free
banking. He had no right to disclose what
took place in the committees but it was we'll
known that committees are made up of odd
numbers and in one of seven members,
where three favored the BILL aud three opposed
it, with the seventh one little mixed the re-
port had to be unfavorable. He would, how
ever, ask that the bill be placed on the calendar
together with the adverse report So ordered.
Mr.. Sargent, of California, introduced by re-
quest bill to secure anti-monopoly ocean
cable communication between Europe, Ameri-
ca. and Asia.
The Senate Committee on Pensions reported
unfavorably on the resolution from the Min
nesota Legislature asking an investigation
into the affairs of the Pension Office. Tabled
The House bill for the inspection of disburse.
ments of appropriations made by officers of the
army was passed.
Mr.. Grassland, Of Ky. from the Committee
on Elections, made report in the Kentucky
contested election case, that Mr.. Young, the
sitting member, is entitled to his seat.
Mr. K1linger, of Pa, from the Committee OF
Public Buildings and Grounds, made a repor
on the subject of the alleged violations of tn,
Eight-Hour law in the New York Post Ofic
building that the law is not being violated il
the work done under the Government super
vision, and that as to the work done unde
contractors there is no way of enforcing tn
aw Mr.. Cox, of N. Y, believed the Eight
Hour law should either be carried out or re
pealed. 1t had not been carried out in tn
public buildings either in New York or else
where. Mr.. Platt, of Va, denied Mr.. Cox
statement as to the violation of the Eight-Hou
law on the public buildings, and declared tina
the law was enforced on every public building
by the express orders of the Secretary of th
Treasury.
Mr.. Woodford, of NY, from the Commute
on Civil Service Reform, reported bill pro
viding that no officer Of the United States sha
, directly or indirectly receive or be paid for hi
own use or benefit any money or property @
the United States except his salary or comper
sation, or that no public property shall b
used by officials, or by any person for privat
purposes; the act not to be 80 construed as
5 prevent the payment of all actual and necet
sary travelling expenses when travelling on tll
. legitimate and necessary duties pertaining t
: their office. Mr.. Maynard of Tenn, inquire
. how the bill would effect the Collectors
1 Ports whose compensation was made up largel
of fees. Would it restrict them to their salarit
q and no more ? Mr.. Woodford replied that
l would. M. Dawes, of Mass, offered a
= amendment by inserting the words /" or max
any private profit or use Of the labor or serviC
of any person employed by the United State
$ which labor or service is paid for by I'll
United States"
The bill reported by Mr.. Woodford, of N.
to prevent officers of the United States fro
, receiving any money beyond their fixed salarie
r was discussed, Mr.. Woodford explaining al
advocating the BILL and Messrs. Dawes al
, Butler (Mass.) opposing 1t as not sufficient
!, matured. In the course of the debate NJ
J Merriam, of N Y, who had introduced the b
: originally, said that on the morning he hi
t done 30 Government officer had pressed hir
@ self on the floor, and in very excited mann
: approached him, saying, "This bill will ri
me it takes away the carriage which use, al
, it is impossible for me to get along without it
i He said it was very hard on him, especially
=, his wife, and he saw no objection to her ridii
q when he did not want the carriage. He On
q Merriam) told him as he now told the Hous
= that his party could not afford longer to car
the wives of public officials
Il
a Traits of the Shark.