The Portland daily press., 1874-12-09
SENATE. n

--- WASHINGTON, Dec. s.
Mr.. Logan presented a memorial from sever
al publishers, asking a change of postal laws.
Several bills We're introduced and laid ON the
table till the committees were appointed, iu-
cludng the following: A bill amending the
act imposing taxes on the circulation of other
than national banks; n bill fixing the salary OF
the President of the United States,a bill for the
construction of a government telegraph from
Boston to Washington.
| Mr.. Davis of West Virginia, submitted q
resolution requesting of the President details
from June 80, 1865, to the end of the last hscal
| year showing the names OF postmaSterS, pay
| masters, collectors of internal revenue and Gus
| toms officers of the freedmens' bureau ana
| Others from whom money is due ana unpaid,
| the amount of such Indebtedness and the
| names of the sureties of such officers, by whom
| such officers were appointed aud the state from
| which they were appointed; also requesting the
| President to report the acres of public lands
| granted to railroad companies, canals or other
| works of internal Improvement. Ordered TO oe
| printed. Mr.. Davis gave notice that he would
l call up the resolution for action at al early
| day. .....,
| mortal of j. Z. Lppncott 4 CO., "A. s. Merrl-
| marrand 7. S. Arthur OF Philadelphia, praying
| that the postage upon periodicals be fixed at
| two cents per pound; that the payment by
| fractional stamps or stamped wrappers, when
| desired be authorized and that the rates of
L
| cation be fixed at two cents perpound. l1aid
| on the table. . - ..t... 't... 4t...
| Mr. Sherman said that there was bill pend
| ing between the two houses of Congress, the
| act to amend the existing customs and internal
| revenue laws upon motion made by MN at
| the last session to postponeit until yesterday.
| The committee of conference agreed on report
but the House disagreed to the report upon
examining the rules of the Senate, he was at
| loss to know whether under the circumstances,
a a
poned until next Monday. On that question he
desired to have the Judgment of the Chair. The
Chair ( Mr.. WILSON, replied, it will not be in
order to take up the bill now. Mr.. Sherman
gave notice that he would call 1t up Monday.
Adjourned. 'ido T4H ui lH ID h.H 9sa
~ -. f,'a.a. HOUSE. ., 81. .lr
Mr. Poland of Vermont, presented report of
the testimony in the Arkansas troubles, which
was ordered to be printed
A bill was reported to continue the board of
audit to audit the floating debt OF the District
of Columbia. After discussion the bill was
postponed till Tomorrow. ia 4fj
A bill was passed which was reported from
the Banking COMMITTEES, reducing allowances
to bank examiners. iai nfuf @.Iel a.tt
Mr. Maynard of Tennessee, chairman of the
Committee en- Banking, reported bill to
amend the national bank act the matter of
proceedings in liquidation. After discussion it
was recOmmitted. ....l...-..f., ~ IL.-s..-.-.
Mr. Houghton OF California, from the Com
mltCp6 on G0o faClHC fNailTOduS, TepOfltu
providing that the railroad bridge at Omaha
and the approaches on each side of the river
shall be operated as part of the continuous
line of the Union Pacific Railroad, and re-
quiring half yearly reports OF monthly re-
ceipts of tolls and charges for use of the
bridge. Il y .H"t.HN ehsf' ulolf tiifg
Mr Cox of New York suggests that the pro-
visions of the bill were matters of litigation to
be decided by the Courts and not by Congress
Mr.. Speer of Pennsylvania asked whether the
question was not now before the courts. r.,;
Mr.. Houghton replied in the negative,
Mr.. Crounse asserted that it was, and that
the object of the bill was to forestal the action
of the courts. ....s. .. ...s-+..r. o. -.
Mr. Houghion repeated his statement that
the bill was not designed to effect any existing
litigation. Its purpose simply being to compel
the Union Pacific Railroad Company to oper-
ate its hne of road throughout its entire length
as one continuous line, and not to make two
transfers al the Missouri River at Omaha. He
explained that the bridge has been operated as
an independenJ thing, under the name of tho
Transfer Company, and all through business on
that line is subject to a separate and independ-
ent charge for crossing the river. Freight
cars, loaded or unloaded; have to pay ten dol
lars each, and the passengers fifty cents each
for crossing the river, besides the annoyance to
which passengers are subjected in having to
change cars twice at this point and having to
get their baggage checked and reehecked. He
insisted that the bridge was as much a part of
mile OF road between its two termni. -...
Mr. Hale of New York asked who were the
nominal owners Of the bridge. li-- e '' u
Mr.. Houshton replied that the bridge was
owned by the Pacific Railroad Company; that
the bonds issued for the construction of the
bridge were issued by the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company, and that all the property of
that company is liable for the payment of these
bonds. Since the bridge was built it had been
operated exclusively by the Union Pacific
Dali inf bo cor anII Inla tl,a
tense of an Independent organization called u
transfer company. No such organization,
however, existed in fact, but merely in name.
The reason Of this was that the Union Pacific
Railroad Company had entered into a CON
tract with the city of Omaha, by which the
company haQ received large subsidy from
the city in consideration of making its termi-
nus there. .a a ~
The hour having expired the bill went over
without action.
Bills were introduced: BY Mr.. McGeary Of
Iowa for extinguishment of the Indian title to
the Black Hills reservation in Dakota, by Mr..
Butler of Massachusetts to provide judicial
remedies for overcharges of duties on tonnage
and imports; by Mr. Wood of New York, fix
ing the rates of duties on imported goods, be-
ing a bill to correct an error in the revised
statutes adopted last Juue; by Mr. Beck of
Kentucky, to prohibit Senators, Representa-
tves and delegates in Congress from acting as
counsel or otherwise in suits or proceedings
erence to the Committee on Ways and Means.
MIR. Butler of Massachusetts suggested that
the Judiciary Committee was proper refer
nee. ,.,-,.,t l5. y+s....., - al. .-,..-. .-- 90.
Mr. Beck of Kentucky said that the bill per-
tanned to revenue cases and he inStauced the
employment of a New York Senator in the tax
case Of The New York Central Railroad Compa-
ny. --ai i---
Mr., Randall moved that the House proceed
to the consideration of the bill. .s ..
40 Sna kar--That mn
sent ti .aiat i -Hh .i' ""
. There was no objection and the bill having
been amended at the suggestion of Mr.. e.. +.
Hoar by emitting from the penalty provision
for disqualification for holding Office, was
passed. q -r.-. -5.5s--... .....i- -.tl.r...
The bill is as follows no Senator Rep
resentative or delegate TO Congress shall, after
his election or during his continuance in Office,
act as agent, attorney, proctor, advocate solic;-
tor or counsel for any person against whom
suits OF proceedings other than criminal, have
been, or are about to be commenced for viola
tiOn of the revenue laws or who has any claim
for drawbacks or reclamations for duties, taxes
or excuses paid or demanded for the United
States, or any agent, employe, informer, officer
or officers of the revenue or customs service of
the United States in any suit or proceeding rel
alive to customs dues, excises or taXcS nor
shall he receive any compensation, gift or re-
ward from such persons or officers for any ser
vice, advance, council or aid afforded such per-
son or persons, officer or officers, agent, in
former or employe and any person offending
against this provision shall, on conviction there
of, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be
punished by fine not exceeding $4,000 and i'm
pfisonment for term not exceeding ten years
at the discretion of the court trying same;
asd any tersoD who shall pay or cause to be
paid to any Senator, representative or delegate
or any person for his use or benefit, directly or
indirectly, any sum of money or other thing of
value because of such services or advice rela-
tive TO any matters of aforesaid, shall have the
right, at any time, to bring suit for recovery
thereof or its value in any court of the United
States against such Senator, representative or
delegate, or person or persons, who received
the same and may unite all such persons in the
same suit. " .' t..
A number of other bills were offered, after
which the House went into Committee of the
Whole on the general calendar. After laying
aside several bills Mr.. Kelley's inter-converta-
BILE 3.65 bond bill WAS taken up and advocated
by that gentleman and Gen. Butler until ad-
journment
.iaaa THE SOUTH. a.re
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