Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-21
The 3.G5 Bonds.
FOrty.Fourth Congress First Sc, sion.
SENATE.

the senate proceeded to the consideration Of
Mr.. Moron's Miss. election bill.
At 80 z. NJ, Mr.. Morton said he was suffering
from throat and would not be able to con-
clude his remarks to-day. lie therefore asked that
his resolution be allowed to go over, and it was so
ordered.
The Senate then took up the resolution to con-
tinue in force the joint rules for the government
of the two houses Of Congress. the pending ques-
ton being on the motion of Mr.. Morton to except
the 9th joint rule in regard to countn. the vote
for President and NicePresideLt.
Mr.. Baya of Del. submitted as substitute
for the resolutions that were presented by him
yesterday, instructng the committee on Rules Of
the Senate and House CT Representatives to ex-
anime and report what amendments, ifany, should
be made to the present joint rules also whether
any and what legislation is expedient in regard to
the matters contained in the I'D joint rule
Mr.. Bayald said the people of thi. country for
the last two presidential elections, had hanging
over them power by which either house of con-
gress could have defeated the popular choice. He
thought the present 22d Joint rule should never
have been adopted Now it was seen that it
might be exercised BY others than for whom it
was intended, and change was proposed, and he
wished il TO be destroyed now although he knew
that the party with which he was in political AFT
lation bad the power under it to declare who
should be the next President and Vice President
of the United States. They had no right to any
such power as provided by the constitution.
Mr.. Edmunds said he would favor the substitute
of the gentleman FROM Del, an independent
resolution. lie hoped the amendment of the Ind.
Senator, excepting the 22d joint rule, would be
adopted now and that all the other joint rules be
agreed TO.
The substitute of Mr. Bayard was rejected, the
resolution Of Mr. Morton agreed to and the reso-
luton continuing in force the joint rnles-as
amended by Morton-was adopted.
Mr.. Bayard then submitted a resolution in
structing the committee on Rules of the Senate
and House Of Representatives to examine and
after conference report whether any and what
legislation is expedient in regard to the matters
considered with the 22d joint rule. Laid over.
Mr.. Sargent introduced bill in regard to pos
tai routes, providing that every railroad in the L.
s. and Territories shall he considered in law a
postal route, and tina; every person or association
desiring to do business with any railroad Company
or along the line railroad. shall enjoy the same
rights, privileges and facilities-and for the like
compensation-as may now or hereafter be en-
joyed by or allowed or conceded TO any other
corporation, association, firm person. Referred
to the committee on Post Offices.
Mr.. Sargent also introduced a bill comforting
certain privileges on telegraph companies, which
provides for the establishment of new postal tele-
graph system, of which the following are the main
features Every post office ia the United States
situated at point on any telegraph line, shall also
be telegraph station, at which any telegraph
company maintaining such line shall establish and
operate their instruments. If in any case it is APP
parent that the duties of postmaster and telegraph
operator could be performed by one person, the
postmaster general may appoint suitable person
for both duties, and all postmasters shall receive
messages for Transmission by teleg Taph, and cause
them to be delivered, the company paying to the
government postage of one cent on each. The
telegraph.ng all messages to be received at or de-
liyered from the postotiices shall be fixed by the
postmaster general, but must not exceed the fol-
lowing for Ten word messages: Less than go
miles, 10 cents; for distances between $50 and 500
miles II cents; from 500 10 1000 miles, % cents,
and for all greater distances, so cents. The add
diess and signature will be free of charge, and for
additional words, the rates to be in like proper
ton.
The bill however authorize, any such telegraph
company to maintain other offices in important
towns places, 'for the receipt, transmission and
delivery Of messages of an urgent character, and
TO charge rates for them higher than the forego-
ing provides.
That the government business shall have the
precedence whenever the head OF an executive
department so requests, and that it shall be done
at the lowest rates fixed by tits bill. The Cover
ment is to have the right to purchase any line
cepting the privileges OF this bill. at any time
within 3 years after commencing operation IN der
it. and al the actual cost with per cent interest
added
The last section directs the Postmaster General
TO advertise forthwith for proposals, and to award
a contract to any responsible undertaking to form
the telegraphic cor nections and carrying out the
object of this bill, for the lowest tariff not exceed
ing the price above named, the contract to be for
term OF 20 wears, unless the government shall
during the period purchase the line. Referred to
the Post Office committee.
Mr.. Christrency introduced bill in regard to
jurors in Ctah, which provides that in any trial
for bigamv and polvgamy it shall he a sufficient
cause for challenge and for the rejection of any
juror
FIRST, that he has than wife living in said
territory, whether married by the ordinary rites
or By the so-called sealing ceremony.
Second, that he believes it morally right to live
with more than one woman.
If the panel is thus exhausted, statesmen may be
summoned until the requisite number ofjurors
shall be obtained. Referred TO the committee OF
Territories.
TIC Senate adjourned at $50 o'clock.
HOUSE.
Tie centennial appropriation bill was taaen
up
Mr.. Townsend of y. C., made q humorous
speech in favor of the bill, in which he made a
good deal OF sport At the expense of Mr.. Tucker
OF Va, who made some questionable illusions,
Yesterday.