Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-12-18
CONGRESS-.
Proceedings I'm the U. y. SEN
ate.

EEOCCCNhAHfsS HI lhAC Os .. oCAh-
ate.
We take the following from the
proceedings of the United States
Senate on Monday
wAsHIN GToN, Dec. 13.-Mr.
Anthony presented a memorial of
over 1000 members of the Friends
Society of New England, looking
to the establishment OF an inter-
national court of arbitration. He
nc, panied the presentation of
the memorial with remarks COM
mandatory of the Friends and of
the objects aimed at in their me-
mortal. Referred to the commit
tee on foreign relations.
Mr.. Mitchell introduced bill
annexing the territory of Alaska
to the territory of Washington
and providing fora civil govern
therein referred to committee on
territories.
Mr.. Merrimen introduced bill
to provide for the payment of
southern mail contractors and 9th.
ers referred to committee on the
JUDICIARY.
mr. Sargent introduced a bill to
\ protect citizens of foreign birth
Afrom forcible restraint on invOlun-
tary servitude; referred to COM
mittee on foreign relations. !
Mr.. ingalls, introduced a bill to
extend the time in which claims
Tor bounty may be filed under the
act of July, 1866; referred to COM
mittee on military affairs.
Mt. Davis, of West Virginia,
submitted resolution citing the
law requiring reports to be made
to Congress annually of persons
Indebted to the Government, list
of defaulters, amount of defalca-
ton, de-, and calling upon the Sc
cretary of the Treasury to inform
the Senate why such reports have
not been made.
In submitting the resolution, Mr..
Davis said no report had been mad
since 1865. He believed an inn
mense sum was due the Govern
ment by defaulters. 1t was stated
last year.. when similar resolu-
ton WAS offered, that it would
cost $4,000 and require several
months to furnish the list of de.
faulters, amounts involved, &c.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, suggested
that the resolution be referred to
the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Thurman, of Ohio, opposed
the reference. He saw no reeson
why the resolution should not be
adopted and sent directly to the
Secretary of the Treasury to OBJ
tain the desired information.
Mr.. Sherman said the resolution
referred to several statutes to
which Senators had not had an OPP
portunity to refer. 1t also ascer-
ted three or four matters purport-
ing to be facts which the Senator
himself could not vouch for, and
he {Mr. Sherman) thought all res
olutions of inquiry involving AN
expense should be referred to an
appropriate committee.
Mr.. Davis said he was satisfied
the law had been disregarded
since 1865, and he saw no reason
why the Secretary of the Treasury
should not be asked why the law
had not been complied with.
Mr.. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts,
said the Senator from West Vir-
ginia Davis) had misapprended
the provision of the statute. No
doubt it would be we'll for the Sen.
ate to have list of defaulters and
the amounts involved, but the sta
tute, as it now stood, did not re-
Quire the Secretary of the Treasury
to furnish such list.
Mr. Conkling, of New York said
the Senate would be in a very bad
position lift should pass this reso.
luton asking the Secretary of the
Treasury why the reports had not
been maze and he should answer
that the law did not require them
to be made or that such provision
of law had been repealed.
Mr.. Sherman said he would not
object to the resolution being print.
cd and laid over until tomorrow
but he gave notice now that he
would hereafter move to refer tC
the proper committee all resolu.
tions of inqdiry where question:
of facts or law were involved.
The resolution was then LAID
over until tomorrow, and it wa:
ordered that it be printed.
The resolution offered by Sena'
tor Davis in regard to defrauders
etc, lis prefaced by preamble say.
ing it is asserted that no report:
have been made to Congress since
March End, 1865, under the act O
March Sd, 1869. which requires the
Comptroller of the Treasury tC
make an annual statement of ac,
counts In tho fnrI.aSnrn, NNnr =. I'D