The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-13
F0RTY-F0uR1H CONGRESS.
WAsHINeToN, July IL.
SENATE.

WAsHINaToN, July IL.
SENATE.
Immediately after the reading OF tn
journal, there was short executive ses
sion.
The Chair laid before the Senate, the
House bill to amend the Pacific railroad
act, which was read by title. The bill
provides that the net earnings OF rail
roads shall be ascertained by deducting
only the actual operating expenses from
the gross receipts, with an allowance fol
interest payments, and requires the com
psny TO pay annually into the Treasury,
to create sinking fund, such sums as
will aggregate, in connection with the
five per cent payments and amounts
earned for government transportation, 26
per cent of their respective net receipts
~ above defined, and if this should leave
them unable 10 pay their interest on
prior mortgages, the Secretary Of the
Treasury may sbate the rs per cent re-
oujrement sufficient to allow paramount
claims to be satisfied. These annual
amounts are estimated at 81 10000 each
for the Union and Central Pacific Com
panies, and $S5O,OOO for the Kansas Pa
cific company.
A lively contest occurred over the re-
ference of the bill.
Messrs. Edmunds and Thurman op.
posed its reference to the Railroad Com
mittee, on The ground that this committed
was hostile to the bill, and favored its
reference to the Judiciary Committee.
Messrs. West and Mitchell of the
railroad committee, repelled the charge
OF favoritism towards tho Pacific Rail
road, and quoted the previous report OF
that committee on similar question, TO
Justify their position.
The morning hour having expired the
bill was laid over.
Mr.. Hamlin presented the credentials
of }. G. Blaine, appointed Z. s. Senator
in place of Mr.. Morrill,, resigned. Re-
ceived and placed on file.
MIR. Thurman, from the Committee on
Judiciary, reported back the resolutions
of the Senate of January last to the COM
mittee, TO inquire into various matters
relating to Pacific railroads, and the three
bills introduced by Mr.. Dorsey and Mr.
West, Ia january and March last, to
amend the Pacific railroad acts, together
with written report and the bill to
amend and alter the Pacific railroad acts
of 1862 and 1854. 1t was ordered that
the report be printed and the bill be
placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Sargent was excused from further
service on the Conference Committee on
the .undry civil appropriation bill, on
account Of sickness, and Mr.. Window
appointed in his place.
The JOINT resolution TO authorize the
President to accept the services of the
volunteers to aid in suppressing the
Sioux Indians hostilities in the north.
west, was taken from the table and re.
ferred To the Committee on Military AT.
fairs.
Mr.. Wright, from the Committee on
Claims reported adversely on the Senate
bill, declaring the effects OF the permits
to purchase the products OF insurrection.
ary states in certain cases granted by
the president. Indefinitely postponed.
The Senate resumed the consideration
of the articles of Impeachment.
The BeIknap Impeachment Case.
j. j. Fisher, partner Of Evens, WA:
sworn and examined by MIR. Vi Mahon
He corroborated in the main Mnr,hs les.
timony. as 10 the pay ments. to Bciknap
He had read the contract between
Marsh and Ewing and the money
was paid in accordance with its terms
Belknap had never, TO his knowledge
written to his firm on the subject of com
plants from the troops about excessive
charges.
Mr.. Carpenter asked leave to have
read letter from Marsh to Mr.. Clymer
in which Marsh, to avoid testifying
rfAds his wifes illness in New York n
ihc cause of his inability TO appear and
testify, and also stated that he had made
no contract with Bclknap
Mr.. Nc cMahon assented TO this, but de
sired, also, that the other letters appeal
in the evidence, in which Marsh promised
to bring the contract with Evans.
TO this Mr.. Carpenter objected, but
was overruled and the letters were PLACED
in evidence. The point gained by the
defense being that Marsh made no con
tract with Evans.
Hester Clymer was called and identi
fed the letters from Marsh previously
mentioned.
Mr.. Carpenter asked him how
long his Committee had beer
engaged in investigating the affairs o.
the War Department
Mr.. Mcmahon objected, and lively
dispute followed between him and Mr.
Carpenter, during which the latter
charged that the managers were not try
ing TO throw any light on the case, shC
Mcmahon retorted with much spirit snC
replied
Mr.. Carpenter, it seems, was supposing
the managers had the same evidenc,
bearing on the case, which they were
holding back for the present.
Mr.. CIymer's evidence presented moth
ing new, and at its conclusion Manager
McMahon said the managers had con
cluded the case for the United States
but would demand the right to plsc,
Evans on the stand when ne should ar
rive.
General Pape was the
First Witness for the Defense.
and testified 10 Belknap's excellent
| character, etc.
Commisssry General McFeeley also
testified to the pure character of Belknar
and his management of the war depart
ment.
Nh. Carpenter submitted letter from
Lieutenant General Sheridan. dsted Chr
cago, March 90, 1872, stating that he had
examined thscircular on the subject OF
post.trsders, issued on the 18th of March
and thought very well of it. SO far q:
the troops were concerned, it WIS es-
pecislly fair.
Adjutant-General +. ID. Townsend wa
recalled, and testified ths: he forwarded
the letters of Marsh, making application
for post-trsderships and also the letter
of Gen. Greierson complaining Of the
abuses al For: Sill, 70 the Secretary OF
M Al Il