The Portland daily press., 1876-01-06

charge; also to economist in the collection of
the whisky tax in remote and out-of-the-way
localities; also to insure the success of the in
ternational exhibition at Philadelphia, and to
maintain the honor of the nation; also to pay
soldiers and sailors who are entitled to bounty
lands, dollar FER acre for these lands.
Mr.. Bright of Tenn. gave notice he would
next Tuesday move that the house adopt suta-
BILE proceedings in relation to the death OF the
late President johnson.
BY Carson of Ind, resolution recognizing
the brave and gallant services rendered by the
loyal soldiers for the country in the time of the
greatest need and peril, and earnestly recon-
mending to the people the utmost care and
watehfulness over the rights and interests of
these brave men by securing employment to
them; that in all cases of public employment
(all other things being equal) the soldier shall
have the preference of the civilian, and declar-
ing that the House is in favor of giving liberal
pensions to diseased and crippled soldiers, their
widows and children and their dependent
fathers and mothers.
The previous question was seconded, 142 to 0,
and the resolution was agreed TO amid laughter
on both sides of the house.
Mr.. Morrison of Ill. offered resolution di
recting the several committees having in
charge matters pertaining to Indian affairs,
military affairs, naval affairs, post-offices, pub
lie lands, public buildings and grounds claims,
and war claims, to enquire into any abuses or
frauds in the administration and execution of
existing laws affecting these branches of public
service. with view to ascertain what changes
and reformations can be made, so as to pro.
mote integrity, economy and efficiency; also
instructing committees on expenditures in the
several departments to proceed at once, as re-
quired by the rules of the House, to examine
into the state of accounts and expenditures Of
the respective departments, all
moneys have been disbursed in conformity
with the appropriation laws and what provis-
ions are necessary to be adopted to provide
more perfectly for proper application of public
moneys and to secure the government against
the demands unjust in character or extrava-
CANT in amount. Adopted.
Mr. Lawrence of Ohio, offered a resolution
which was adopted, requiring the judiciary
Committee to report law to compel the Pacific
Railway Company to indemnify the govern
ment for interest advanced on the subsidy bonds
issued to the company.
The Attorney General estimated that the
railroad companies would owe the government
$500. 100000 at maturity of the bonds, in about
twenty years. All this will be lost to tn gov
eminent unless we now by law secure indem-
nifty. This is the object of the resolution. to
save the government from loss of $200,0O0,-
O0O
Mr. Fort of Illinois, offered a resolution de-
claring that the doctrine just enunciated by the
House is the adoption of a resolution offered by
Kasson of Indiana, so wise ard just that it
should be followed by the officers of the House
in filling the subordinate places under them.
and instructing them in all such cases to give
to well qualified Union soldiers the preference
over soldiers of the late confederate army.
(Laughter.) He moved the previous question
on its adoption.
The previous question was uot seconded, rs
to 103.
Mr.. Wood Of New York, remarking that tLis
was centennial year, year in which all past
discussions, difficulties and controversies should
be forgotten, moved to refer the resolution to
the select committee on the Centennial cele.
bration. He wanted the House to 90 on with
the business and have no more buncombe.
Motion was agreed to, 12l to 81
MIR. Harrison of Illinois, offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That in the distribution of the pat
ronage OF the House of Representatives and of
the government generally, those only elected
and who by law have the appointment of snb-
ordinates, should regard the Jeffersonian test
us he honest, is he faithful, is he capable"
and that the recent events in the federal ad-
ministration give peculiar emphasis to this
Democratic sentiment. (Laughter) Adopted.
Mr.. Garfield of Illinois, offered a resolution
stating that certain charges have been made
implying fraud and Encouragement in the
construction of the custom house and post office
building in Chicago, and instructiDg the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds to en-
ter on an investigation of such charges Adopt
ed.
Bills were further introduced and referred as
follows:
By Mr.. Springer of Illinois, to abolish stamps
on bank checks; also to extend the time for fl
ing claims for additional bounty.
The House at 10 adjourned till tomorrow