Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-04
Forty. Fourth Congress- First Session.
SENATE.

Washington, Aprll 3.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced, by request, bill to
create sinking fund for the liquidation Of gov
erament bonds advanced to the Central and Pa
cifc railroad companies. Referred to the FL
nance committee.
The bill embodies proposition, submitted to
him as chairman of the Judiciary committee by
Vice President Huntington in behalf OF the Cen
trail Pacific Il. r. Co., substantially as follows -
The company is to convey and release to the Y.
5. all the unsold lands hitherto granted to it IN
the State of Nevada and Utah Territory, and the
Secretary of the Treasury is thcreupon to place
to the credit of the sinking fund for the company
the value of these lands computed at $3.50 per
acre. The company will also pay into the treas
ury for account Of this fund, the proceeds of any
such lands hitherto sold by It to the extent of the
excess it may have received over and above $3.50
per acre, and the cost OF surveying.
Inc third section of the bill directs the Secrs-
tary OF the Treasury to carry to the credit of the
sinking fund all amounts due the company for
government transportation up to the first day of
last January, which, if not amounting at said
date to one million dollars, shall be made up TO
that sum by the company.
Sec. 4-The company to pay the United States
such sum of money shall pay all government
bonds. The interest on all sums placed to the
credit of said sinking fund must be credited and
added thereto, at the rate of per cent. The
payments thus made are to be in lieu of all other
requ irements for the Central Pacific railroad COM
pany any act of Congress.
Mr.. Hamln gave notice that on Wednesday
he would ask the Senate to take up for considera-
ton the bill relating to the transmission of third
class mail matter
House.
At the conclusion of the reading of the articles
and specifications Mr.. Knott Of Kentucky, said
that the articles just read were mere forma-
ton of the charge that was distinctly understood
by every member when it was unanimously voted
to impeach w. w. Belknap for high crimes and
misdemeanors, he did not, or she did not deem it
necessary to occupy single moment in discussing
the subject. He therefore moved the previous
question on the adoption of the articles.
The previous question was seconded and the
articles adopted,
Mr.. Clymer offered resolution appointing as
managers on the part of the House, Messrs. kuott
of Kentucky, Lord of New York, Lynde of Wis
consin, Mcmahon of Ohio, jerks of Pennsylva-
mia, Wheeler Of New York and Hoar Of Massa-
chusetts.
Adopted.
Mr. Wheeler said that while fully approaching
the compliment paid him in his selection one
of the managers, the condition of his health, his
duties on the Committee on Appropriations, and
the accumulated correspondence, and other busi-
ness consequent on his absence from the city, alb
solutely forbade his acceptance. lie therefore
asked leave to retire and to suggest in his place
the name of his colleague, Mr.. Lapham, whose
professional character, business ability and high
standing eminently fitted him for the place.
After some informal discussion Mr.. Wheeler
was excused, and Mr.. Lapham was appointed in
his place.
On motion of MFR. Knott his position on the
board of managers was changed from that of the
first on the list to that Of second, SO that Mr..
Lord stands as chairman.
A resolution was adopted directing the board of
managers to carry to the Senate the articles of
impeachment aga inst Belknap.
resolution was adopted for modification OF
the treaty with China, so as to make it for COM
merce only.
The river and harbor appropriation bill was Or
dered printed. 1t approprates Sels,677 less than
the bill OF last year.
A bill authorizing the sale of the Pawnee res
ervation, in Neb, was passed.
A bill was reported placing those soldiers of the
war OF 1872 who had never seen an enemy, on the
same footing with those who had served in front
of the enemy.
Mr.. Hoskins of New York, moved to reduce
the required time of service to five days, aud
made an argument in favor of his amendment.
Mr.. Huntoon said that if he consulted his own
judgment he would frame bill more liberal than
the pending bill, but he had desired to frame a
bill that would not antagOnize the sentiment OF
the House and also the Senate. He therefore
trusted that the friends of the soldiers of the war
of 1872 would not endanger the bill by adding
amendments to it.
Mr.. Hurbeit of Illinois, moved to amend by
fixing the term of service at 80 days.
The amendments were rejected, so that
the term of service is ten days instead OF sixty,
as required By the existing law.
Mr.. Conger of Michigan, moved to amend the
clause providing for the restoration of pensions
from May LIST, 1865, by making it date from the
passage of this act.
MIR. Caswell of Wisconsin, moved to add pro-
viso against the payment of arrearages.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas, opposed the amendment,
representing that it not pretended that any
one soldier of the Of 1872 had participated in
the recent war between the states. There were
and all of them he knew were in poverty A PEN
sion beginning now would be of little service to
them, but the arrearages since 1866 would be of
material benefit.