Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-12
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
FRIDAY, MAY II.

FRIDAY, May II.
| SENATE.-The Chair laid before the Sem
ate communication from the Governor OF
vermont, announcing the contri button by
tnat state of the statue OF Ethan Allen to the
NatloDal Statuary Hall, and the deli very of
tne same 10 the Architect of the Capitol.
On motion OF Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, the
communication was ordered to be printed
and laid on the table.
THE DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Also, communication from the Commits
sfoners of the District of Columbia, iujorsing
report from the Board of School Commits
sioners In reply to Senate resolution as to
Wnether any distinctions exist in the stand
ard or qualifications of teachers, or of text
books, &c, in the District OF Columbia. The
Commissioners state that no distinctions
exist, and they are not aware that necessity
exists for any legislation on the subject. The
communication was referred to the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired whether q quorum
or Se1ators was present, and on the roll
being called 80 Senators answered to their
names; less than quorum.
Mr.. Ingalls, moved that the Sergeaut-at-
Arms be directed to request the attendance
of the absentees. In few minutes several
Senators entered and quorum was secured.
The journal of Mondays proceedings was
then read.
RAILROAD RING.
Mn Sargent presented memorla al OF GER
tain stockholders of the Central Pacific Rail-
road company, complaining that certain
managers of the road had formed ring and
built the road so as to enure to their own
pront, charging prices greatly in excess of
TEE cost; that the ties and the rails, the
oepots, workshops, &C., are constructed of
the POOREST material; that If Congress will
appoint q competent commission OF en- gineers
TO examine the road il will be found that the
cost should not have exceeded S35, OOO, 900.
The petitioners also set forth a variety of
otner grievances In the name cement of the
road for which they ask redress at the hands
OfCOngress.
The memorial charges dishonesty upon
limit In of TON md fhar
the company. IN conclusion, they ask the
appointment OF committee, to sit in San
Francisco during the recess and take testi-
tee on Railroads.
Mr.. Cameron presented petitions asking
intervention in behalf of Ed. O'M. Condor.
tions.
Mr.. Boutwell, presented joint resolutions of
the Massachusetts legislature In behalf of L.
ON. Con6on. Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Edmunds, from Committee on the
Judiciary, reported adversely the bill ex-
tending the time for presentation OF claims
Claims Commission. Placed on the calendar
with the adverse report.
Mr.. Wright, from Committee on the Judi
c1ary, reported adversely the bill to repeal
the last clause of the snndry civil appropria-
tion bill OF March Sd, 1875, and it was indefi-
nitely postponed.
sale OF the Hot Springs reservation. Referred
TO Committee on Puolic Lands.
Mr.. Wright, from Committee on Claims,
reported adversely various private claims.
Mr.. Booth, from Committee on Pensions,
bills.
from the Secretary OF the Interior aud the
Commissioner OF Pensions setting forth the
Imperative necessity for the construction of
new building for the Pension Office and
also letter from the District Commission
ers in reference to the removal of old mate
rial. On his motion both of the letters were
ordered to be prin ted.
Mr.. Wright called up the DILL for the relief
OF Angelina Logan, which was passed.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported with amendments the
constitutional amendment propOseI by him,
vestine the counting OF the electoral vote for
Pres dent and Vice Pr. sident In the Supreme
Court.
The Senate then adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -The
House was called TO order by Mr.. Adams,
he Clerk, who announced that Speaker
Kerr was still absent.
On motion of Mr.. Morrison (Ill), Mr.. Cox
was elected Speaker during the present tenn
porary absence OF the Speaker, ami the
Clerk was directed to notify the President
and Senate accordingly.
On motion of Mr.. Holman, the House went
nio Committee OF the Whole on the post
flee appropriation bill, Mr.. Springer In the
chair. The pending question was on the
motion OF Mr.. Mutchler to strike out the
proviso limiting the free delivery system TO
Mr.. Holman suggested a modification of
The amendment by striking out that portion
OF the proviso which proposes to abolish the
carrier system In cities of less than 10000
inhabitants that now have 1t.
mr. Hale (Me.) hoped that would not be
done. The Committee on Appropriations
had agreed to this clausd, aud he did not
bination OF representatives OF cities Of a, 900
or less.
Mr.. Tarbox Mass favored striking out
the whole proviso. He believed the carrier
system was necessity and not a luxury,
aid 1t was not economy to abolish 1t any
where.
ton OF any Office. II was q retrograde move
ment. and one which the people did not ask
for, and did not desire. Economy was not
always retrenchment, and this proposition
Mr.. Reagan (Texasj thought the bill as re-
ported In this respect should be sustained,
because ms carrier system was benefit TO
other cities. 1t was all wrong to compel a
large number OF cities to pay tosupport such
system in few.
Mr.. Hardenburgh IN. j. thought the
House was doing itself and the country an
trrepaIable injury by attempting TO strike
down the carrier system at any single point.
II would work incalculable injury to deprive
cities OF 10000 Inhabitants, that now have
IL, OF the advantages of carriers. II was not
in the directi on of progress.
mistake to say that the greatest expense
came from small cities. All the large cities
except Boston. New York and Philadelphia,
were behind hand In receipts.
MIR. Cutler IN. j. commended that there
was no necessity for this proposition, and
the Postmaster General himself showed In
his report that the postal revenues were in
creasiDg steadily.
Mr.. Holman said he offered his amend
meDt in a spirit OF compromise, but would
prefer TO have the clause stand as reported
by the committee. The exigencies OF the
service demanded this.
Mr.. Banks (Mass.) said IL was useless to
say that the mails should only be carr led
where they could meet their expenses. Tue
mails held the country together. 1t migh ut
be said with as much prOpriety that the
country should not defend its territory, I'M
less the people of the peighborhood to be
defended paid for 1t. III gentlemen who ad-
vocated this mea sure were in opposition and
wanted no government then the ground they
assume is right, but If they wanted q gov.
eminent they must extend the postal facili-
ties and not take q retrograde movement.
How could democrats expect to get men into
their party If they put up such bar and
gate as was proposed In this bill. He, for
one, would extend the postal facilities to even
smaller towns than those that now had the
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