The New York herald., 1876-01-28
The Interest on the 3.65
District Bonds.
Passage Of the Pre-Emption and Home
stead Entries Bill
Penalties for Sending Obscene Matter
Through The Mail
THE MILITARY ACADEMY APPROPRIATION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1876
Mr. MORRILL,, rep.l ofMe, called up the House joint
resolution 10 authorize the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia 10 pay the interest on the bonds
issued pursuance OF the Of Congress OF June 20
1874 OF any funds the United States Treasury,
subject TO the rtquislton OF said Commissioners
The amendments reported by the Committee on Ap-
preparations 70 strike OF the House bin the clause
prohibiting any further of the s. 05 bonds and
that nothing in the bin shall construed binding
upon the government OF the United States to pay the
principal Of the bonds issued contrary TO or
in pursuance Of law, we're agreed to.
Mr. MORRILL, said this bin should not pass without
come explanation from him. II intended to
cover the semiannual interest on the 3.65 bonds.
At the last session Of Congress appropriation
was made for the payment of the FIRST months
interest those bonds and 1t paid The interest
on the second six months became due the
LIST OF February next and no provision had been
made for its payment 1t had been asked
why the Commissioners did not pay the interest
cut Of money the Treasury 10 Their credit Con-
gress last year made an appropriation amounting 70
Columbia but directed that il should be applied the
expenses OF the District government While
the Commissioners have sufficient funds their hands
TO pay the interest on the lst OF next month they do
not feel authorzedto appropriate IL for that purpose
In regard TO the amendments proposed by the Senate
Committee on Appropriations he said the clause in the
House bill prohibiting any further use OF the % bonds
utterly Incompatible with the obligations Of the
government Board OF Audit was created by Con-
gress 10 audit the Indebtedness Of the District The
total OF that Indebtedness, for which 90 bonds
had been issued $l3.412, 500 In addition the
board had audited sel4 $4,000 indebtedness for which
cef tncates had been issued, and these certificates
were convertible into bonds. II any further
issue of the bonds should be prohibited these cer
Gates would be ignored. In regard 70 the second
amendment 10 strike out the clause of the House bill
relating to the payment Of bonds issued contrary TO
pursuance OF law, he said that clause seemed TO
carry with il the implication that bonds had been issued
contrary TO law. The committee had no such informa-
ton and did not think the provision should be In The
bill
Mr. DAWES, trep.) Of Mass asked IL the Commits
sioners OF the District of Columbia had unlimited
thority 3.65 bonds, which TO all ntents and
purposes United States bondsY
Mr. MORRILL, said the Commissioners had power to
issue these bonds in payment OF contracts made by
the former Board OF Public Works He then read from
The report OF the District Commissioners and Board OF
Audit showing that claims the $l56 SOL 05
had been audited, but certificates for them had not
been issued The Board also estimated that claims
unaudted amounted 10 $203 $50 90, and the amount
due contracts withheld until the work should be
tested was $15o0o0, making total OF $5lo, COZ o.
The amount for which bonds and certificates had been
issued was $14327, ,O40 05
Mr.. SARGESr, rep of Cal, said he thought 1t the
part wisdom for the Senate to incorporate pro-
vision in this bill that the amount OF bonds already
ISSUED and hereafter to be issued should not exceed
SIS, ,000, O00
THE DISTRICT INDEBTEDNESS.
Mr.. ALLISON, lrep.l Of Iowa said he thought the
Commissioners OF the District OF Columbia had totally
Inexperienced the law which created them, and had
enlarged the debt OF the District They had mlscon-
srued the law TO legalize all contracts made by
the former Board of Public Works. IL not the
intention OF the committee which framed that bill
legalize those contracts On the contrary, tney
cluded that idea There certain contracts which
the committee thought should be completed, and
therefore the Commissioners were authorized TO
tnue and complete all work already commenced He
read from the annual report OF the District Commits
sioners TO amounts expended upon streets, &C.
and said they had construed the act of June
20, 1874 authorizing them to do this
They had increased the debt and incurred obligations
which they mad no right to do under the law 10 was
fha tfaa fof
June 20 1874 that the Board of District Commissioners
should 60 and continue the numberless contracts
made by the Board Of Public Works.
In answer TO question Of MI BArARD Mr. ALLISON
said from November 80, 1874, to- November 30, 1875
the Commissioners had expended 81, Do, 0O0
Mr.. CRAGIs (repl ofN H--For whaty
Mr.. AiLIsos-For curbIng, sodding, grading paving,
&c, &c Continuing his argument he said he believed
the Board Of District Commissioners shoulo be re-
that they could another debt for
Congress TO pay the interest on next year
Mr.. SHERMAN, (rep.l OF Ohio, said IL serious
charge made against the District Commissioners one
which would have serious effect upon the securities
upon the people OF the District The District Com
missioners created by Congress and they were
given all powers which were held by previous govern
ments OF the District They had power to execute all
legal contracts existing when they came into power
and they had the authority 10 pass upon the question
Of what were legal contracts
E.EMProS AND HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
Pending the discussion the morning hour expired
and the Char laid before the Senate the unfinished
business, being the bill TO confirm pre-emption and
homestead entries Of public lands within the limits OF
railroad grants where such entries have been
After debate and amendment the bill passed as
follows
enacted by the Senate and House Of Representa-
Of the United States Of America Congress
tembled.
empton and ad entries in
compliance with law of the United Of the public
lands made in good faith by actual settlers upon of
land Of than leo EACH within the limits Of
land grant prior the time when tice Of the with
Of the lands embraced such grant
abe local Land Office VI the district which such
ater their
General Land Office, and where the snd home
have comped with
have made by the parties holding such par
cells they shall be confirmed and the shall
issue TO the parties enttled thereto.
SEC. 2.-That when the time Of such withdrawal a
Aforesaid valid pre-emption homestead claim existed
upon lands within the limits Of any such gran which
nerwATd abandoned. under the
Of the Land Department pe-emp
zion homestead claimants who have piied with the
laws governing preemption homestead sha all
make the proper proofs required under such laws such
tries shah be deemed valid aud shall therefor
40 the person entitled thereto.
SIC That all such homestead entries
which may have been made by permission OF the Land
partment, in Pursuance OF the rules instructions
thereof within the limits Of any grant q time sub
sequent 70 expiration Of such grant shall
and compliance with the laws and the
required shall entitle the holder Of patent
therefor.
On motion OF Mr.. MORRILL, OF Maine the House bill
provide Tor the payment OF the on the IS
District of Columbia bonds taken up so as 10 come
ND as the unfinished business tomorrow and the SEN
ate at half past four r. NJ, motion Of Mr. RoBsRT-
goN adjourned.