The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-22
c o N G R E. S S .
Government Relief for the Sufferers by
the Mississippi Flood.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 81, 1874.

WASHINGTON, April 81, 1874.
THE LOUISIANA SUFFERERS
Mr.. WooDLEIGH, rep) OF N. H. from the Com
mitree on Military Affairs. reported, without
amendment the House bill for the relief OF per
sons suffering by the overflow In the Mississippi
River, and asked its present consideration.
Mr.. EDMuNDs, (rep) OF w.. submitted an amend.
ment providing that the provisions OF the act shall
expire on the LIST OF september, 1874. Agreed to.
The bill was then passed.
THE LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL.
Mr.. SCOTT (rep.) OF Pa, called up the bill pro-
viding for the payment OF the bonds OF the Louis
Vile and Portland Canal Company, the question
being on agreeing TO the amendments OF the
House OF Representatives, as amended BY the
Senate.
Mr.. SCOTT read from reports submitted by the
Treasury Department during former sessions OF
Congress- and argued that the canal was low prac-
tcally owned by the government, 1906 shares OF
the 10 900 being held by the United States. There
should not be one hour OF delay on the part of the
government in taking possession OF the work.
The obstacles to the government doing so had
come in since 1872, by the act Of the Kentucky
Legislature, passed by some means, imposing con-
ditions upon which the government should take
possession. The Kentucky Legislature had no
right whatever to pass such act, as the federal
government had long before acquired the right to
take possession. He hoped now that the one thing
needful would be done, and That was TO dsplaco
these five trustees and put the government In pos.
session OF the property.
Mr. THURMAN Idem) OF Ohio, said the propo-
stion that the United States should become stock
holders in this work was first made by committee
OF Congress, OF which MI. Webster was member.
The State of Kentucky had consented to the United
States becoming the owner Of the property. The
legal objections made by some against the govern
ment's owning the work were mere scarecr0ws.
II was perfectly competent for the Legislature OF
Kentucky to say that the corporation might con-
sst Of one shareholder, and 1t had said that very
thing in substance by tue acts OF 1912 and 1646.
Mr.. CoNKLSS srep q <, reyie wed the his his
tory or the canal ana p, rropapitles o. ,aw
He moved to reconsider the vote by which the
amendments OF the Finance Committee TO the
House bill were agreed to several days ago.
The vote WAS reconsdered and the question then
required upon the amendment OF the Finance
Committee to strike out the amendment IN the
House BILL that the canal should not be taken pos
session OF nor any money paid till the State OF
Kentucky should cede to the United States tho
jurisdiction over the same, together Win al the
right to tax the property, and 1t was adopted by
yeas 49, nays
The bll now goes to the Rouse for the concur
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
louisiana bill, upon which Mr.. Stockton, (dem) OF
N. j., was entitled TO the door.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
Mr.. FRELINGHuYsEN, rep) OF N. j., said he gave
notice few days ago that he would call up the
Civil Rights bill to-day. He now gave notice that
he would call 1t up as soon as the pending OIL
should be disposed oil.
Mr.. CAMERoN rep.) of Pa, reported favorably
Congress to Captain BENJAMIN z. Gleadell and the
officers and crew OF the steamer Atlantic, OF the
White Star line, Tor rescung the 0f1cers and crew
oil the brigantlne Scotland, OF Portland, Me.s In
mid ocean. Passed.
MIR. STOCKTON, before commencing his speech,
yielded to Mr.. COnkng Tor motion to go into ex-
ecutve session, which was agreed to, and at half
past four the Senate proce sded to the cOnsldera-
ton OF executive business. After few minutes
the doors were reopened aud the Senate adj
lOurned.