The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-29
The Louisiana Senatorship.
District of Columbia Bonds.
Lively Debate on the Military
Academy Bill. ct1
WASHINGTON, January %.
SENATE.

ment, House bill relating to the centcn'
NAL celebration of American indepen'
dence, and recommended its pas age
Placed on the calendar. He gave notice
that he would call it up for action Mon
day next.
Mr.. Hitchcock presented a memorial
of the legislative assembly Of New
Mexico, asking for the passage on an act
to admit that territory into the Union AZ
State, on equal footing with other
States. Referred.
Pinchback vs.. Eusfis, Of Louisiana
Mr.. Morton, from the Committee on
Elections, reported back the papers OF
j. B. Eustis for seat as United States
Senator from Louisiana, with 8 written
report, declaring that in the opinion of
the committee there is no vacancy in the
Senate, p. B. S Pnchbaek having been
elected United States Senator for term
commencing March 4th, 1873. He recon-
mended that the papers be laid on the
table and printed. SO ordered.
MI. Salisbury said as member of that
Committee, he dissented from the conclu-
sions of the majority. In his judgment
there was vacancy at the time of the
election of Eustis, and his credentials,
although not regular in form, were all
that was necessary to entitle him to his
seat, and at proper time he Saulsbury
would state the grounds OF his dissent.
Mr.. Merriman also dissented, and said
he had given his reasons in part at con-
siderable length.
Mr.. Cooper also dissented. He be-
leved that the Committee had consider
ed and reported on a question not per-
tanning to the case of Eustis. The report
lust submitted seems TO be based upon
the idea that Plnchback was elected, and
he did not think that question was before
the Committee.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that on We'd
ncsday OF next week he would ask the
Senate to proceed to the consideration Of
the Louisiana Senatorial case. lie
thought it should be settled one way or
the other.
The Chair stated that Wednesday had
been set aside to pay tribute to the
memory of the late Senator from Con-
necticut, Orris ). Ferry.
Mr.. Morton then said he would call up
the Louisiana case upon the following
day.
lie said these $50 bonds were crea ted
bv a law of the United States, which was
pledged for their redemption There was
an obligation on the part of the govern
lnent to pay the interest on these bonds,
and TO establish sinking fund to pay
the principal.
Mr. Allison said he agreed with the
Senator from Ohio [Sherman as To the
control of these bonds, but he differed
from that Senator as to the construction
of the clause in regard to tue power OF
the commissioners; that clause was one OF
limitation. 1t said the commissioners
should not do certain things. 1t gave
them power TO protect and preserve the
improvements then existing or commenc-
ed and not completed at the time OF the
passage OF the act He did not believe
the commissioners had committed any
intentional wrong.
AIR. Thurman said it might be asked
why were the powers of the old Board
of Public Works vested in these COM
missioners. 1t Was for the very purpose
Of enabling them to complete the I'M
provements already commenced. Work
had been authorized by the old govern
ment, and 1t was necessary that some
public functionary should see 10 the CON-
ple,lon thereof, but that gave the CON-
missioners no power to inaugura;e the
great schemes OF improvement. He
quoted from the act Of June 20, 1874, and
argued that the 3.65 bonds were in no
sense whstever revenue OF the district
The issue of those bonds was authorized
to take up all certificates of indebtedness
which were then floating around and not
worth sixty cents on the dollar; they
were not forced upon the contractor or
any one else The holders OF these old
certificates were given their choice to take
3 65'. or rot. The president, before
signing the act OF June 20, 1874, sent a
message to Congress suggesting higher
rate OF interest than 3.65 per cent lie
Thurman thought then and still thought
!, was very unusual proceeding on the
part of the chic: magistrate, but 1t was a
very Wise and proper one. That mes
sage was referred TO the committee, and
n member of the committee explained to
The President why it was not deemed ex-
pedient to pay more interest after
which the bill was signed. he would
not say that the Commissioners had eI-
ceeded their authority. bu; If they had
not, lhe Committee and Congress were
grossly imposed upon by the late govern
ment of the District.
Mr.. Sherman said that Governor SheP
herd. may have under estimated The
amount necessary to complete the con.
tracts. II everybody was TO be punished
for faulty estimates, there would not be
A public officer in the country who would
escape.
Mr.. Thurman then alluded 10 the bill
10 provide the Government for the dis
tric., submitted ., last session by Mr.
Morrill, of Maine, and said the Senator
from Indians Morton found something
in il against color or pensions or
condition OF servitude and he ihundere
sv.ynit The Senator fron Delaware
TBsysrdl found something in u about
The iiauor business which aroused him.
Mr.. Mortou-Thzt Was against iht
Democratic party.
Mr.. Thurman Yes, it was entirely
too moral. Renewed laughter Re
sum .ng hi. argument Mr.. Thurman sPok'
of the estimate 70 complete the work sub
mitted by Governor Shepherd and ssic
they were made after the work had been
ordered and the costracts awarded Anc
there was 10 excuse whatever for an:
under estimate. He read from the guar
sntce clause OF the section, sutherland
the issue of 3.G5 bonds, and said T. was
qualified guar,n;ee- The pledge va
tha, Congress would levy taxes 70 pa.
the portion of the bonds which shons
be paid BY the people of the Dsssriet, an
the portion TO be paid BY The gcners
soyernment should be paid sui Of ID
: ! Nstionsl treasury. He arguedtha Con
. gress should pay portion Of the eK
! psnses OF the District but that portion
never had been determined CongreS