The New York herald., 1876-03-14


to which he refused answers. and accompanied with
resolution directing tho Scrgeantat Arms of the House
to present the recusant the OF the House
for its action.
An official report has been made by tho Navy Depart
mont in response a resolution OF the House. inquir
Ing as TO the manner and to what extent tho various
appropriations made by Congress since July l. 1862 TO
test the usefulness OF patents and nven-
tons, have been expended. Mr. Hanscon,
the Chief OF the Bureau of Construction
aud Repair, says tho number OF articles
and processes for which tests we're or
dered is forty nine but many report
OF the test, of tho Of the particular nyen
ton process has beoa received Is reasonable
TO infer in such the articles offered
for trial at the naval stations designated
William Wood, Chief OF the Bureau of Steam Engi-
neerng says that under the cognzance Of the Bureau
there have been tested 1870 patents and nven
tions relating to improvements IN the machinery OF
naval vessels, at total cost OF $2,eSe. Il is
tho custom Of the Bureau he says to grant permission
10 all applicants to have tests made where there Is
reasonable prospect OF obtaining useful results and in
formation but all expense OF making said experiments
| 10 be without cost to tho government Tho very linn
lied expenditure has been made ON applications that
established their usefulness such degree that the
actual cost Of the labor and material only paid,
I
without any royalty being paid from the
appropriations of the Bureau for their use.
Il appears from the OF the Chief OF the Blu
OF Ordnance that the Nut Island experiments by
Norman Wizard resulted in no good, the guns either
bursting throw aside. Thirty-nve thousand
Ave hundred dollars paid him for these export
menls.
THE CoLoRED PEOPLE ON PINcHBACK's REJEc-
TIoN-TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MoRToN-THE
GREAT BATTLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DE
AGAIN FOUGHT
A largely attended meeting OF colored persons
night passed OF resolutions, declaring, among
other things, that
The Senate, in refusing to seat Mr. Pnchback, pro-
fessedly technical grounds did unjust affect
ing the coored race ignored the rights of sovereign
State bowed to CASTE and adcd prescription, rebellion
! and anarchy.
! The resolutions also condemn Senators Edmunds and
Paddock Tor voting against Mr. Pinchback, and eulo
gze Senator Morton, whose course, they say "makes
him fitting person for any position which law and
justice may be equtably administered and defended by
an honest and resolute person"
These resolutions were supported by Frederick
Dou4iAss George I. Downing and others, and were
pesr " adopted.
then formed and proceeded to the
ac, where Senator Morton was compll-
aerenade. The coored speaker, who
"a Senato Morton Of what had taken place at the
acng and the character OF the resolutions said that
heretofore the coiored people could only thank their
friends but they could express their gratitude
| votes.
Senator Morton responded, saying, among other
things that Mr. Pinchback fairly and legally
elected anu had the sympathy OF the entire republican
party throughout the country and that the great bat
tie OF human rights would be fought the coming
! Presidential contest
The procession then proceeded to Capitol HILL where
they serenaded Mr.. Pinchback, who returned thanks
| In speech.
| REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE JU-
DIcIARY coMMITTEE ON THE INDEBTEDNESS
OF THE PACIFIC RAILROADS TO THE GOVERN
MENT.
On motion OF Mr. Lawrence OF Ohio the House Ju.
dietary Committee recently instructed TO inquire
and report what legislation Is necessary the
government against loss account Of the subsidy
bonds issued the various Pacific railroad companies
The subject referred to sub committee consisting
OF Messrs Knott and Lawrence who day submitted
TO the full committee their report, embodyng
Der of important recommendations. The report (which
prepared by Judge Lawrence and makes 100 pSges
OF manuscript goes into an elaborate examination Of
relations which exist between the Pacific railroads
and the government and shows by detailed statistics
and computations that after applying all the
provided by law for the reimbursement of the
advances there will be u deficiency Of least
$3.50 600 900 principal and when the subsidy
bonds mature. This result Is arrived without allow
ing the government TO calculate compound interest
IL argued that the companies will not
be able to pay this addition their first mort
gage Indebtedness private parties and the belief is
expressed that they do not expect TO. The sub-com
mItee, therefore, recommend the passage Of bill, or
which the main features arc as follows
Fsrst-rhe government Is 20 retain the Treasury
all money which may be the companies
and apply II to their Indebtedness the United States
Second-lt requires each company TO pay to the gov
ernment semiannualiy such sum as the Secretary OF
the Treasury shall prescribe and which
WILL the maturity OF the subsidy bonds create
fund sufficient TO pay the principal
1hrd-lt requires the creation OF similar fund 10
pay the maturity OF the subsidy bonds amount
OF the.interes then reimbursed by by
the five per cent OF the net earnings required
| be paid into the Treasury.
FosrtA-lt prohibits each company from making any
dividends while u is IN default Of complying with any
oil these requirements Tor seni-annua payments
/ FVh-lt gives the government right OF action TO
recover all money due or to become due, and to take
possession Of any or 10 operate any road IN default
The bill Also among other things requires the Sec
retary Treasury report 10 Congress what may
be reasonable rates for government transportation
The amounts OF semi annual paymentsto create fund
for the payment OF interest be prescribed from
time to time according To tho amounts realized from
the hvo per cent OF not earnings and te retention of
charges for governments business Tho report says
the proposed bill 'adds nothing the obligation of
the companies TO the payment OF interest 1t leaves
the question open whether the companies should pay
tho interest It accrues that the government at
any time desires to ask the Supreme Court TO review
the recent decision this DO done" Prominent
mombcrs OF tho committee OF opinion that the
recommendations of this report will be adopted
aud reported 10 the House
THR DESTRUCTION OF THE GENEVA AWARD
MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS oP THE
COMMITTEE.
Tho House Committee on the judiciary will to-mor.
row make report amendatory OF the act for the dis.
tributon the Geneva award. II will be recollectcd
that the former Congress provided for payment to