Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-08
Forty.Fourth Congress- First Session.

Washington, February I.
SENATE.
A document from the Union and Central Pacific
railroad officials relative to the erection of sink
ing fund for payments to governme mt was received
and ordered printed.
Mr.. West said he would soon speak on this sub
ject.
Mr.. Sherman entered a motion 10 refer to the
business committee.
Mr.. Morrill, of Me-. gave notice that TO- morrow
he would ask the Senate to take up the bill appro-
piating $4,000 to aid the Centennial, he hoped
what the Senate proposed to do would be done
then.
Mr. Conkling from the judiciary committee re-
ported with verbal amendments the House bill pro-
viding for the payment of judgpeoi- rendered by
the court Of Alabama claims.
Mr. Sargent moved to make interest on such
judgments per cent. per annnm instead of per
cent, but after some discussion he withdrew the
amendment and said that he would offer it hereafter
to some other bill relating to the Albania claims
amendments.
After the morning hour the consideration of the
resolution for the admission Of Pinchback as SEN
ator from La, was resumed.
Mr. Thurman spoke IN opposition to his aC
mission, claiming that Plnchhack had no pritha
tacic upon which he could be seated.
The bin to authorize the construction of
bridge across the Mississippi at Winona, was in
definitely postponed.
The Senate at 4 o'clock went into executive ses-
sion and at $50 the doors were re-opened.
Adjourned.
Seyera, bills were introduced as follows:
BY Mr.. Hale of Me-, limiting the penalty ton
mage on certain United States vessels to the old
rate of 80 cents per ton, instead Of 81 3d. also by
the repay by the secretary of the treasury Of
the tonnage tax illegally exacted.
BY Mr.. Warren OF Mass, to remit the duties on
certain good destroyed by fire in the confagraton
in Boston.
BY Mr.. Balou Of R. l., to exempt safety matches
from stamp tax.
BY Mr.. Fort of H., declaring the birthday of
Abraham Lincoln a national holiday, and that on
the Nth of April the national flag shall float at
halimast.
Mr.. Kasson Of In, moved to suspend the rules
so that the House may proceed to vote separately
on the following two resolutions:
Resolved, That the constitutional authority Of
Congress to coin money and to regulate the value
thereof and OF foreign coin, does not include the
authority TO issue the paper of the government as
money, and in the judgment of the House the
constitution nowhere confers on Congress the
power to issue in time Of peace the promises or
obligations for the government as legal tenders in
payment OF debt
Resolved, That any legislation touching the le-
gal tender currency Of the government should
keep steadily in view the resumption of specie
payment, and should tend to enhance the value of
that currency for the redemption of which the
faith of the United States has been pledged to it's
citizens.
The rules were not suspended, yeas 96, nays lao,
and the resolutions were not before the House.
Mr.. Cox Of N. T., suggested to Mr. Kasson to
have the resolutions referred to the committee
WAYS and Means or to the committee on Bank
ing.
Mr.. Kasson said he should be very glad to have
them SO referred.
The matter went over without further action.
Mr.. Buckner reported the Senate amendments
to the bill to pay the District of Columbia bonds,
with a recommendation that they be non-con-
CURED in and that they be referred to q confer
ence committee. Agreed to.
Mr.. Stevenson offered a resolution nstructng
the committee on District of Columbia to examine
the management of the various public institutions
of the district. Agreed to.
Mr.. Pierce of Mass offered a resolution in
structng the committee on Foreign Affairs to re-
port what action if any has been taken by the
executive department of the government in rela-
| ton to the connection of the L. s. minister at
London with the directory of the so-called Emma
mine and with the prosecution Of the Machado
claim. Adopted.
| Mr.. Bright of Tenn. offered resolution in
sructiDg the committee on expenditures in the
treasury department to make careful examination
into the affairs of that department. Agreed to.
| Mr.. Fort of III. offered resolution to pay the
widow of the late Representative Burlington of
Mass, her husbands pay to November 2, 1876
Adopted.
to the amount expended on the n. Y. post office
Adopted.
The House went into committee of the whole,
on the consular and diplomatic appropriation BILL
and was addressed by Mr.. Holman.
AdionrDcA