The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-17


number and names OF such defaulters
still In the Government employ, mum.
Der and names OF those continued in the
Government employ after such defalca.
ton, and length OF time 80 continued in
tho employ OF the Government. and
an aggregate amount OF these defalca-
tions. Referred to the Ways and Means
Committee.
The House proceeded In the morning
hour to the consideration Of bills re-
ported from committees. Mr.. Boone,
Of Kentucky, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs, reported a bill to pro
hibit the cutting OF timber on Indian re-
servations After discussion, the bill
was recommitted.
Mr.. A. s. Williams, from the Military
Committee, reported a bill extending
the time for filing claims for additional
bounty under act Of July 20, 1866, which
expired by limitation January 20, 1876,
to July 1, 1877. The bill was amended
SO as to extend the time to July /, 1880,
and passed.
Mr.. Terry. Of Virginia, from the same
| committee; reported q bill for the sale
of the Arsenal and lot at Stonington,
Conn. Passed.
| Mr.. Faulkner, Of West Virginia, from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs. sub
mitted a report on the resolution Of the
House directing an inquiry into the pro-
priety of notice terminating tie treaty
with Germany. Ordered printed.
Mr.. Southland, Of Ohio, from the Com
mittee on Territories, reported bill to
amend the act of March Sd, 1875. to en-
able the people OF Colorado to form a
constitution and State government and
to provide for its admission into the
Union. The bill was sent to the Com
mittee of the Whole on point Of order,
and the morning hour having ex-
pired, the House, on motion OF Mr..
Southard, went into Committe Of the
Whole on this bill. The amendments
proposed are TO allow any person six
months O resident Of the territory to
vote on the question of ratification, and
making provision for paying the ex-
penses of the constitutional convention.
After discussion OF the bill the commit
tee rose and reported the bill to the
House and it was passed.
At 3o'clock the House took up as the
special order the bill to reorganize
the Judiciary of the United States.
Mr.. Knott, of kentucky, addressed the
House upon the bill, declaring that there
was no subject OF more importance to
the people of the country, independent
of politics, than the bill now under con-
sideration. Members Of the legal pro-
fession were aware that there was great
complaint Of the manner OF transacting
business in most Of the courts, and es-
pecially in the Supreme Court, and in
saying this, he did not wish to be under
stood to be questioning, but on the con
tnry, bearing testimony to the ability
and integrity Of the justices OF that
court. The difficulty was more work
was put upon that court than could be
done. On the nth OF October last,
there were 663 cases on the docket,
and since then there had been added 276
new cases, making a total Of 936 cases
to be disposed Of, while the average
number of cases disposed Of annually
was about 800. 1t was, therefore, plain
that some remedy must be devised to
relieve this court OF the business which
would otherwise overwhelm it. He ar
gued that the business could be disposed
or moro rapidly and less extensively by
the appellate courts, proposed to be es-
tabilshed by this bill. which enlarged
the right of appeal and affords conve
nient tribunal. A large number Of
amendments were offered by general
consent and considered.
Pending further consideration, at AS
y. M, the House adjourned.
The Centennial nil signed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The Centen-
NAL bill was signed by the President at
- o'clock to-day. He used for the pur-
pose a pen made from the quill of an
American eagle, furnished for that pur-
pose by Joseph M. Wilson of this city.
The Pacific Railroad nil.
The Pacific Railroad Committee of
the House, this morning, added several
amendments to the Texas Pacific Rail
road bill, calculated to better protect
the interests Of the people. A final vote
on the bill as whole will be taken on
Friday next.
White, Of Alabama, Rejected.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has
decided adversely on the nomination of
ex- Representative White, of Alabama,
for United States Judge of Utah Terri
tory. The unfavorable action was on
account OF Mr.. Whites alleged com
plicity in the fraudulent Parkman
Brooks cotton claims.
Great Flood.
SCHENECTADY, N. Y, Feb. 1G.-There
was great freshet in Mohawk valley
last night. The river was jammed with
ice on this side, above Amsterdam, and
the Central Railroad track flooded with
three feet Of water and covered with ice,
in some places twenty feet high. Rail
road travel was suspended most Of the
night. Trains are going east this morn
ing. An ice dam, near Amsterdam,