The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-02-09
F0RTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, February 8.
SENATE.

Mr.. Scott. from the Committee on
Railroads, reported adversely on the bill
to aid the Washington, Cincinnati and
st. Louis Railroad Company to construct
narrow gauge railroad from Tide
Water to the cities of st. Louis and
Chicago Placed on the calendar with
adverse report. At the request of Mcssrs.
Davis and Scott, from the same commit
tee, reported adversely on the bill to IN
corporate the Dakota and Montana Rail
road Company, and the bill chartering
the Fortv-frSt Parallel Railroad Com
pony OF the United States from Lake
Erie to the Missouri river and limit the
rates of freight thereon. They were in
definitely postponed.
Mr.. Conkling from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported adversely oil the bill to
give jurisdiction to the Court of Claims
to hear the claim Of George Custer Lee
for Arlington, and it was indefinitely
postponed.
Mr.. Dorsey, from the Committee on
Postoflices and Post Roads, reported with
amendments the bill recently introduced
by him to establish certain telegraph
lines in several States and Territories as
post roads, to regulate the transmission
of commercial and other intelligence by
telegraph Referred.
Mr.. Chandler presented resolutions Of
the Legislature of the State of Michigan,
asking appropriations for improving the
harbers at Eagle Benton, New Buffalo,
South Haven, st. Joseph, Sangatuck and
for the improvement of the navigation
of Pine river. Referred.
Mr.. SchurZ presented Il memorial of
the citizens of the United States, praying
an amendment to the Constitution to
abolish the office OF President and Vice
President, and vcstiug the powers now
belonging to them in Il council of seven
members to he chosen by the House 0f
Representatives, To which body they
shall be responsible. Referred
Mr.. Ferry presented resolutions OF the
legislature of Michigan favoring the pass
sage of bill granting one hundred acres
of government lands to the soldiers and
sailors ofthe late war, without regard to
occupation. Also for the equalization of
bountics. Referred.
Mr.. Spencer introduced bill respect
ing the retirement OF Major General
Daniel f. Scklcs. Referred.
Sewing Machine Patent Bill.
Bv Il vote of % nays to l3 yeas, House
bill for the relief of John W. Marsh, WAS
rejected. This was the Sewing Machine
Patent bill.
Mr.. Chandler called up the bill to re.
wise, amend and consolidate the laws
relating to the security of life on board
vessels propelled in whole or in part by
steam, it being unfinished business from
Saturday.
Mr., Cameron objected to the further
consideration of the bill, and moved that
it be laid over.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, favored the
motion of Mr. Cameron, and said he
could not entertain the idea for moment
that Congress would adjourn without
taking some action in regard to provid-
ing Il government for the District OF Co
lumbiu. He hoped all pending orders
would be laid aside, and the bill to pro
vide government for the District taken
up.
The motion of Mr.. Cameron to post
pone the steamboat bill was lost.
Mr.. Conkling opposed the bill, and
moved to amend SO as to provide that
every steamer shall be provided with two
good double acting fire pumps, to be
worked by steam instead of hand Re-
iccted. He then moved to strike out of
the fourth section, the clause allowing
the transportation of loose hay, loose cot |
ton, or hemp, campfire, nitro-g lycerinc,
naptha, bcnZine, and other explosive |
substances, on terry-boats. Rejected.
Mr. Morton, from the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, submitted re-
port in the case of p. B. 5. Pinchback, /
and n resolution declaring him entitled |
to a seat as Senator from Louisiana, from .
March 4, 1873.
Mr. Hamilton said that it purportcd to
be majority report of the committee, and |
as a member Of the minority, he raised
the point of order that the report not
being signed by five members, WIS not
the report of the majority of the commit
tee. 1t is signed by four members only,
and could not be received rs a majority
report.
Mr. Morton said that when the report
was submitted to the committee there
were seven members present. five mem
berS made quorum, fonr was majority
of all the members present, and the re-
port was therefore a report Of the COM
mittee. He did not submit 1t ~ Il
majority report, but a report Of the .
committee.
Mr.. Thurman said the Senator from
Indiana very coolly said he made this re-
port rs the report Of the committee. The
point was whether four members Of
OF nine could make a report
as the report of the committee. 1t had
been said this could be done, Because
there were only seven members present.
He did not know whether the Senate had
any right to 90 into inquiry ns to the .
number of members present when the
report was agreed upon.
Mr.. Edmunds said there was nothing
IN the point of order. There were nine
of the committee, five conSti-
tutcd a quorum, and there was quo
rum present The report was
signed by majority of the members pre-
sent and. therefore. wa, the report ofthc
tNlllillllee. II lllSHN ~ N'IA w saw "
majority of the Senators present could .
not pass bill.
Mr.. Hamilton said he felt it to be his
duty to make the point of order.
The Chair Mr.. Anthony decided
quorum of II committee competent to
transact business, and that the majority
Of the number present could make re-
port. He therefore ovcr-rulcd the point
Of order submitted by Mr.. Hamilton.
The report submitted by Mr.. Morton
was ordered printed and to lay on the
table.
Mr.. Hamilton gave notice that he
would submit n report.
Pending discussion on the steamboat
bill the Senate went into executive scs-
5 ion, and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
A large number of bills and Joint reso-