Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-06-03
FORTY.THIRD CONGRESS,
WEDNESDAY, June z,

mittee on Finance, reported House bill authori.
zing the importation, free OF duty, OF sll ami
mails, birds and reptiles INTENDED for exhibitions
only by the Philsdelphia Geological Society.
Mr.. ConkliDg suggested that tie authority
conferred by the bill was too broad.
Mr.. Scott said the animals were not intended
of similar bills had already been passe1.
Mr.. Carpenter sad al such bills were uncou-
sttusonal and should not be passed. IL mat.
tered not what the object was, 1t conferred eN
elusive rights which the Constitution pro
hibited. A bill was passed here a few day.
ago, allowing some one TO import paintings FIRE,
OF duty. Ii was Just As proper TO pass a bill
authorizing John Smith to Import coffee an
tea free OF duty. One was for the benefit of To,
breakfast.
After some further discussion, Mr. Scott said
be was willing that the bill should lie over unti
general bill covering the subject could be pre-.
pared.
Mr.. Anthony, from Committee on Naval Al
falrs, reported bill authorizing the officers OF
the L 5. ship Monccacy to receive silver medal
from the king of Siam. Passed.
Mr.. aager presented preamble and resolu-
tons or Orkingmen of California fayoriug the
eight-hour law, and condemning action of Ger
tam government officials, who, it Is alleged
have evaded said law; asking the removal OF
Mr.. Mullett, supervising architect of the treas
ury, and the imposition of a tax on the holder
OF United States bonds; against land subsidiee
to railroads and the importation of Chinese
tenn in public works.
MIR. Scott, from the Committee on Finance
reported substitute for the House bill amend
ing the charter OF the Freedmen's Savings ant
Trust Company, which was passed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Ortiz (Ind.), from the Committee Of Foreign
Affairs, reported a joint resolution providin.
for terminating the treaty of July IL. 1853, be
tween the United States and his aiesty the
King of the Belgians.
Mr.. Ortiz briefly explained that the fourth ar
IRE stva tad q
nation from the payment OF tonnage, light
house and like duties, and that under the claus
"most favored of other nations" Other ma
tons obtained the same eNem pttons 70 the grear
injury of our own commerce. By the terms OF
the treaty 1t could be terminsted by either
party upon one years notice, and hence il wa
desirable that the notice be given as early a.
possible The resolution was passed.
MIR. Lawrence (Ohio) rose to report from the
committee on War Claims, and Mr.. M1reN
LAD raised a question of consideration, ano
asked the House TO take up in the morning hour
the bill in relation to the Mississippi leyees
The House, by vote of IS to ~, decided TO
go On with the reports from the Committee OIL
War Claims, when
MIR. Wheeler IN. " rose to a question OF
higher privilege, viz: report from the Com.
mittee on Appropriations on the Senate amend
ments to the army appropriation bill.
Inc committee recommend that the Houst
non concur In the Senate amendments, striking
out the provisions OF the second, third anu
fourth sections, transferring the claims of loyal
stores taken fer the use of the army during the
rebe lion from these departments TO the Court
OF Claims, and the recommendation was adopted
by the House.
The other amendments were not of genera
Importance.
a conference committee on the bill was taer
ordered.
Mr.. Bradley, mich, } from the Committee OIL
Public Lands, reported a bill for the sale o.
timber lands in California, Oregon aud Wash
lngton territory. Ordered printed and recon
mitted.
Mr.. Hale (Me.) submi, ted a report from tn,
conference cUmpiIttse on the naval appropria-
IL bill, which was concurred in.
Mr.. LamisOD, (Ohio) from the Naval Com
mlttee, reported a bill to authorize the psymsn
OF prize money in certain cases, with an amend
ment, which was adopted, and the bill passed
Mr.. Lawrence, (Ohio) from the Committee o.
War Claims, then reported bill relating 10 tn,
commissioners OF claims, and for other pur.
poses.
Mr.. Lawrence explained the provisions Of the
bill. 1t extends the time within which peti
tons tor the allowance of claims may be pre-
Sented to the commissioner of claims TO March
3, 1916, provided suffi cient reason is shown WHY
the petition could not be presented before. After
March Sd, 1875, all claims Will be forever barred
Section 2 provides that every petition OF
memorial shall contain a statement by items OF
the several amounts claimed, and the aggregate
amount so claimed shall not be increased from
any cause. Every such statement shall also
contain an explicit statement of any PAYMENT
already made by or in behalf OF the United
Srates on account OF property taken. Section
provides that in lieu of the three agents now
provided by law, the said commissioners NAV
employ i've agents to investigate and report
upon claims. Section directs the commits
sloners to disallow an entire claim whenever
they are satisfied that CLAIM is fraudu-
lent in whole or in part, or that the
claimant is corruptly attempting to procure by
fraud, false evidence, or COLLISION, the allow
ance OF claim in whole or in part. Section live
prescribes a punishment of a fine, not more
than So 600, or Imprisonment not more than i've
years, for making false oath or affidavit. ANY
person who procures endeavors to procure
another to commit perjury, shall be punishable
ss If guilty of perjury. Section seven enacts
that any claim within the jurisdiction of the
Commissioners of Claims, as prescribed
by law, now pending and made terminaut
in any department of the goSern-
ment, may be presented by the claim
ant to said commissioners at any time
before March 3, 1875, and said commissioner
shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and
determine the same. Section authorizes the
said commissioners to receive, examine and con-
slider the justice and validity of such claims
growing out of the late war of the rebellion a.
may be referred to them by any house OF Con-
gress upon the recommendation of a standing
committee; and the commissioners are directed
to submit a report to Congress annually upon
each cltim.
The above is the substance of the bill as ORR
ginally reported. Mr.. Lawrence offered several
amendments, which were adopted.