New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-16
CONGRESS.
Senate.

SoUatcs
WASHINGTON, February l5-In the SEN
ate Mr. Hitchcock, from the Committee on
Territories, reported favorably on the bill
to enable the people Of New Mexico to form
a State government and constitution, and
for the admission of said State. into the
Union, or on equal footing with the original
States. Placed on calendar.
The merchants of Baltimore petition Tor
the repeal of the bankrupt law. 49,,
The pension appropriation bill which
passed the House was adopted. and, with
unimportant amendments, passed.
After the passage of the pension OIL
there was widespread consultation
between Morton and Clayton, when the
latter returned to his seat and moved to
take up the land bill, and the Pinchoack
case again went over.
The bill to remove the restrictions on the
sales of public lands in several S southern
States passed. 1t will go into effect on Its
becoming law. 1t provides that public
lands affected by the act shall he offered
| for sale as eOon as practicable from time 10
/ time, according to the provisions OF the ex-
| listing law, and shall not be subject to
private entry until go offered. The Senate
! went into executive session and adjourned.
House.
Twenty-one hundred and twenty-eight
| bills and sixtv-nine joint resolutions have
been introduced during the present session.
Mr. Jones, of Kentucky. offered q resolu-
| ton reciting that the act Of March lS. 1869,
to strengthen the public credit, and pro-
| yiding for the payment in coin OF the inter-
est on the five-twenties was virtually q vlo-
lation of the various acts under which these
| bonds we're issued, and at variance with the
platform of the Democratic and Republican
parties in 1868, and that such act OF 1869
was passed without consideration and was,
therefore, repealable at the will of any sub
l that IL nniusf
equal and oppressive legislation, greatly
increasing the amount to be paid by tho
government and inuring to the benefit Of
bondholders and capitalists, and to the
positive detriment of the people, therefore
resolving that the act of the eighteenth of
March, 1869, be repealed. Referred to the
Banking and Currency Committee.
By Mr.. Saylor-That the Secretary of the
Treasury report the amount of gold owned
bv the government available for the re-
sumption Of specie payments. Adopted.
The fortifcation bill was reported. 1t
appropriates SIS, 900.
Mr.. Darrall, OF Louisiana, offered q reso-
luton instructing the commissioner OF
public lands to inquire whether an exten-
sion of time should be allowed for the com-
pleti0n of the railroad from New Orleans to
Shreveport or whether the land grant
should be declared forfeited to the govern
ment. Adopted.
| Inc secretary OF w ar Cr6nsm1tUeO 10 Cn0
House for the information of the Committee
on Commerce a copy of the report of
Colonel Simpson, of the Engineer Corps, in
his survey in connection with the improve
| ment of the Mississippi river between st.
Louis and Cairo. From this report it ap-
pears that three several systems are sug-
gested as probably effective. The first sug-
gestion is made by persons living at Cairo,
and contemplates the construction of
dyke go as to force the channel to the right
of Eliza Towhead. This is Objectionable
on the ground that it involves a radical
change which can not be secured by dyke.
The second plan is to protect the bark by
series of short spur dykes, and the third to
be the same by continuous revetment.
The experience gained from the work at
Sawyer'e bend, above st. Louis, affords the
means of comparing the merits of these sys-
tems-two methods of bank protection.
Both having been tested, and both being
successful, the choice may probably be lett
to the consideration of the cost Of cOnstruc
ton and repair, so far as the portion of
the bank above the ordinary mean stage
of the river is concerned. Below the level
of the mean stage no dependence is to be
placed upon any work which is not con-
tinuous. The length OF the bank, the pro-
lection of which is necessary Immediately
above Cairo, is IL 500 feet. which would
cost total of $497, 500, and $500. 900 of this
| SuW CVuAO PAOAe0OIy UO CARoAuoA NoAAA6
the season of 1876.
Mr.. Tucker, from the Committee on Ways
and Means, reported bill relating to the
execution of customhouse bonds. The bill
provides that wherever bond is required
OF firm for payment of customs on goods
imported for their use, and the bond is ex-
ecuted by one member of the firm in the
name of such firm, it shall be equally bind
| ing on all the members of the firm After
some discussion the bill was passed.
Mr.. Walker. of Virginia, from the Com
mittee on Education and Labor, reported
back the bill to apply the proceeds of the
sales of public lands to the education of
the people. Referred to the Committee of
the Whole.
Mr.. Ellis resolution to make it in order
to move an amendment to the barber and
river bill for an appropriation for rebuild
ing the levees, was objected to by Mr..
Reagan; also, the resolution that the Com
mittee on Levees should visit the States of
Louisiana and Mississippi to inspect the
leveee, etc, was objected by Mr.. Holman, of
Indiana. So neither Of the resolutions are
before the House. Adjourned.