The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-03
FINDING UP IN CONGRESS
A Bill Aboiising Pension ARencics-River and
Iiarbor Dill-siiver.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate communication from the
secretary OF War, enclosing q report from the
Chief OF the Engineer Corps, In regard to the
failure to appropriate, by the Sundry Civil APP
preparation bill, the necessary amount for sur
veys and Reconnaissance in military divisions
and departments, aud asking that Law be
passed to authorize the use Of the unexpended
balance OF $4,000 for that purpose. Referred
to the Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. Boutwell, 1iep.. Mass.), from the select
committee to examine the several branches Of
the civil service, reported bill authorizing the
payment of pensions by the Treasurer Of the
United States. Placed on the calendar.
The bill provided that on and after a date,
which is left blank, the existing pension agencies
snail be discontinued, and all the duties i'm
posed by law or regulations on the several PEN
che Ire asurer OF the United States at Washing
ton. The bill further provides that, to facilitate
the payment OF pensions in this manner, the
Treasurer NAV designate a SUFFICIENT number OF
clerks to sign the checks for him. and the checks
thus signed shall be paid by the officers OF banks
In reporting the bill, Mr.. Boutwell, said It was
not his Intention TO have the bill acted on at the
OF the committee that the bill. II IL became a
law, would facilitate the payment OF pensions.
be benent TO pensioners, and result In saving
10 the Government OF at least s2OO,OOo per
annuni.
Ihe Cbair announced, as members OF the Joint
committee on the part Of the Senate TO proceed
TO California during the recess and Inquire into
Chinese immigration, Messrs. Morton, Sargent,
Mr. Wight Rep.. Iowa., from the Committee
on Claims, reported substitute for the House
bill granting pension to L. w. HanselI. mes
seneer in the state Department, who was in
tured In defending the late Secretary Seward
$500 to the person named.
Mr.. Anthony (Rep.. Il. ~ moved TO increase
the suount to 5000, but after some discussion
ha vii Arav hA nd pNa nt hat
tute reported oy the committee was passed.
The Senate then, after an executive session,
resumed the consideration OF the River and
| Harbor bill the Committee on Appropriations
| having reported an amendment appropriating
land, ohio, Mr.. sherman 1Iiep., ohio) moved to
further amend so AS TO authorize the Secretary
Of war 20 agree with the Pittsburgh & CIeve-
| land Railroad Company for sucn use and occu-
pancy by IL Of said pier upon such terms and
| conditions as he may deem just.
| Mr.. Sargent (Rep., CALI moved a further
| amendment so as 20 provide that in case the
| said railroad company shall neglect or refuse to
| make an agreement satisfactory TO the Secretary
| OF War upon a certificate to that effect To the
| Attorney Gener !, e. shall he the duty OF the
latter oficer to enforce the rights Of the United
| states In the premises by appropriate action.
MIR. Surgouts amendment was accepted by Mr..
| Sherman, and the question being on agreeing
| sion followed as TO the power Of the eral
| Government TO make improvements In the
States, construct whAryes, &c, after which the
| amendment was agreed to. and also the amend
| ment OF the committee as amended by Mr..
| Sherman.
| All the amendments OF the DOM mittee, strlk-
| ing out and reducing appropriations, were
| agreed to. Also amendments increasing the
| appropriation for the Upper Mississippi, from
| $20.OO6 TO $4,000; for the improvement OF Rock
| Island Rapids In the Mississippi river from SO
90 TO $250Ip, and for the construction Of u canal
| around the Cascades OF the Columbia river, Ore
gon, from $4,000 TO $4,000
| Mr.. Mitchell (Rep., Oregon) submitted an
| amendment, comforting jurisdiction upon the
| Circuit Court OF the United States for the Dis
| trict OF Oregon, to hear aud determine proceed
ings taken 10 secure the right OF way over lands
| for canal and locks around the Cascade.
| A long debate ensued on the power OF Con-
| gress to confer such jurisdiction, and before
| reaching vote the Senate adjourned.