The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-22

WAsHfNaToN, Feb. 2l.-The West Point
appropriation bill was reported to the
Senate to-day from the Committee on
Appropriations. The Senate committee
adds to the bill a provision for the extra
payment OF professors for length Of ser
wire, and also a provision for the pay
fnent Of the band. The pay Of cadets is
left as the House iixed II, $540 per year.
Instead OF 5000 90, as formerly.
The signal service observer at Norfolk
reports the steamship Australian, Of the
West Indian and Pacific line, Capt. Pc
ters, laden with cotton, from Mobile to
Liverpool, In longitude 30 deg, latitude
" deg, on the 18th inst. lost her rudder
and rudder post. She will probably
come up here for repairs.
The members Of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee are assembling pre-
patatory to the meeting to be held to-
morrow, to name the time aud place for
holding the National Convention to
nominate candidates for President and
Vice President. Delegates from st.
Louis and louisville are already here TO
urge the selection Of those cities as the
location for the convention.
There are seventeen contests for seats
In the House Of Representatives. The
election committee are taking the cases
by States alphabetically.
A run,or was prevalent at the Capitol
this morning that Speaker Kerr had
been advised by his physicians In New
York TO resign his duties as presiding
officer of the House. but II could not be
traced to an authentic source.
rROCEEDsNes or CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81, 1876.
senate
Mr.. Ingalls, presented a petition of the
citizens Of Northwest Kansas asking
the establishment OF certain mail routes
IN that section.
Mr.. Wright, from the Committee on
Claims, reported adversely on number
or private bills. which were indefinitely
postponed.
The clerk OF the House appeared and
announced the passage Of number Of
bills and resolutions by the House. In
cluding the resolution declaring the 22d
day OF February a national holiday.
Mr.. Hamln asked that this resolution
be Immediately acted upon. 'a
Mr.. Conkling said he did not rise to
oppose this resolution. but to say that In
his opinion the day was not far distant
when Congress would feel itself called
upon. by reasons equally as cogent aR
those affecting the pending resolution,
to declare the birthday Of Abraham
Lincoln legal holiday.
The resolution was then passed unani-
mously.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen presented petitions
Of citizens Of New Jersey, asking the re-
peal Of the bankrupt law, and Of the
specie resumption act.
Mr.. Thurman presented nine petitions
from citizens Of Ohio In favor of the
Texas Pacific subsidy. Referred.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Committee
on Judiciary, reported to the House a
bill to extend the time for claimants
,lnders section II Of chapter 459 Of the
laws OF the Fortylthird Congress. TO
prove their claims, with an amendment,
which was agreed to, and tho bill was
passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont.
the Committee was instructed to inquire
and report az to the expediency Of max
ing an annual appropriation of $1,000 for
the library at the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Harvey called up his resolution
directing the Secretary Of War to trans
NIT to the Senate any Information and
suggestions which he may have relative
to the operations Of the eight hour law
from 1850 to 1917, He said In that
period the law had not been enforced.
and the object was to know the reason
why.
Mr. Sargent intimated that this in
formation might be availed of for the
benefit Of claim agents.
Mr.. Saulsbury took the same idea. Hc
said that Il was not desirable to furnish
information to be availed of to bring for
ward additional claims against the Gov
ernment.
Mr.. Harvey said tiais Information was
when Il came to discuss the eight-hour
law. asad why it had not been enforced.
Tie resolution then went over without
action.
The bin to provide for the ssl le OF tim
ber in California, Oregon and the ter
ritories Of the Uniteo States was then
taken up, the question: being OH the
amendment of Mr.. Sargent. which was
adopted. and after some discussion the
bill finally passed.
Mr.. Window, from the Committee on
reported House bill
To enable the Clerk Of the House to pay |
the fourteen disabled and crippled
Union soldiers now In the employ Of the
House as doorkecpers, from Dec. 6, 1876,
TO June 80, 1876.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, submitted a
report on the District a.s5
bond bill. It provides that commits
sioners shall Immediately discontinue
all work on the streets Of the District;
stops all compensation to the Board OF
Audit, and provides that at the expira-
ion Of thirty days all books, papers.
an, in tho nossessfon of the Board Of |