Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1876-01-06
HOUSE.


members were. absent.
Matters concerning banking and
currency and the resumption of
specie payments by national banks,
were referred to the Committee on
Banking and Currency.
Matters pertaining to legal
tender notes we're referred TO the
Committee Of Ways and Means.
On the call of States, among the
bills introduced, were the follow
ing:
To repeal bankruptcy act, and
to make persons on trial before
United States Courts competent
witnesses.
Mr., Douglas, of Virginia, intro
duced resolution for the appoint
ment of Select Committee to in
vestigate the affairs Of the Freed
mems Savings and Trust Company
and its several branches, the cause
Of its failure, the parties respon-
sible therefor, d5c., with the names
and residences of all the debtors
of the Company. Adopted.
On motion of Caldwell the Sec
retary was asked the number of
United States troops stationed in
the States Of Alabama, Missis-
sippi, Arkansas and Louisiana,
on the 9th December, 1875.
BY Cason Of Indiana, n resolu
ton recognizing the brave and
gallant services rendered by the
loyal soldiers to the country in the
time of its greatest need and peril
and earnestly recommending to the
people the utmost care and watch
tulncss over the rights and in
terests of these brave men, by Sc
curing employment to them; that
in all cases of public employment,
all other things being equal, the
soldier shall have preference over
the civilian, and declaring that the
House is in favor of giving liberal
pension to diseased aud crippled
soldiers, their widows and children
and their dependent fathers and
inothers. The previous question
was seconded by vote Of l42 to
8 and the resolution was agreed to,
amid laughter on both sides of the
House.
Mr.. Morrison, of Illinois, offered
a resolution directing the several
Commissioners, having in charge
matters pertaining to Indian
affairs, military affairs, naval
affairs, postoilices, public lands
public buildings and grou nds
claims, and war claims, to inquire
into any abuses or frauds in the
administration and execution of
existing laws affecting those
branches of public service, with a
view to ascertain what changes
and reformations can he made SO
as to promote their integrity, econ
omy and efficiency. Also instruct
ing the Committee on EXpendi-
tures in the several departments,
to proceed at once, as required by
the rules of the House, to examine
into the state Of the accounts and
expenditures of the respective de-
partments whether all moneys have
been dlsbursed IN conformity with
the appropriation laws, and what
provisions are necessary to he
adopted to provide more perfectly
for the proper application Of the
public moneys, and TO secure the
Government against dem ands un-
Just in character or eXtravagant in
amount Adopted.
Mr. Lawrence offered resolution
which was adopted, instructng the
Judiciary Committee to report a
bll compelling the Pacific Railroad
Companies TO pay the interest adj
vanced by the Government on in
demnity bonds. He argued that
in twenty years the road would
owe the Government $200,000,00C
if the present system was contin-
ued. y D-a
Fort, of Illinois, offered reso.
luton declaring that the doctrine
just enunciated by the House i'll
the adoption of the resolution
offered by Mr.. Cos on, Of Indiana,
is so wise and just that it should
sbe followed by the officers OF the
House in filing the subordinate
places under them and instructing
them in all such cases to give the
well qualified Union soldiers the
preference. over soldiers of the late
Confederate army. Laughter.
lie moved the previous question
on its adoption, os
The previous question was not
seconded, the vote, being rs tod03.
Wood, of New York remarking
that this. was the Centennial year,
o year an which all past disscn-
sions, difficulties and controversies
..--a- ~ se-a2