The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-04
fORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, August 8.

A communication from the Secretary
Of the Interior in answer TO Senate reso-
luton Of the oath of July, regarding the
number of employees from 1869 to 1876,
aud expressing the opinion that the pro-
posed reduction in the clerical force of
that department will impair its useful
ness, was ordered printed and laid on the
table.
Mr.. Davis submitted the resolution to
pay the funeral expenses of the late Sem
ator Caperton. Agreed TO.
The bill TO limit and fix the signal
service, was amended and passed.
Mr.. Logan introduced bill for the
coinage of silver dollars of four hundred
and twelve and eighteenth grains of
the standard silver, and providing it
be a legal tender at its nominal value for
any amount except for customs dues and
interest on the public debt. Ordered,
printed and land on the table.
Mr.. Hamlin gave notice that he would
move to take up tho post route bill, as
soon as the river and hsrbor apppropria-
ton bill should be disposed Of.
The morning hour having expired, the
Senate resumed consideration OF the river
and harbor appropriation bill.
The Committee reported an amend
ment to strike out the second section Of
the bill, authorizing the survey of rivers
and harbors throughout the country and
to insert in lieu thereof n
section appropriating $4,000
for incidental repairs OF harbors for
which there is no special appropriation
provided by law, and for the exsmins-
ton and survey of such rivers and har-
bors rs in the judgment of the Secretary of
War will su6servs the general interests
of commerce. Agreed to.
Mr.. West submitted an amendment to
the clause sppropriating 100000 Tor the
improvement of the mouth OF the Mis-.
sissippi river, SO as TO provide that the
appropriations shall cease to be available,
whenever, and SO long as there shall be
an open channel of Is feet of water to and
from the sea through the South pass of
the Mississippi river. Agreed to.
Mr.. Conkling submitted an amend
ment providing that il shall not be law
ful for any person or corporation TO use
or occupy any pier or break kwster, or
other work of the United States, for the
improvement of rivers and harbors, with
out the written consent of the Secretary
of War, and without compliance with
such conditions rs he shall prescribe, and
providing that any person or corporation
who shall knowingly violate the provisions
of the act shall be subject to imprson-
ment for q period not exceeding one
year, or fine not exceeding $500. This
provision of the bill is to take effect Oc.
tober ], 1876.
Mr.. Edmunds offered an amendment
providing that any person who shall un-
lawfully injure any pier, breakwater or
other work of the United States, for the
improvement of rivers and hsrbors, shall
on conviction thereof, be punished by n
fine not exceeding $1,000.
Mr.. Thurman submitted substitute
for the amendment of Mr.. Edmunds, so
rs 20 direct the Secretary Of War to re-
port 10 Congress on the first Monday OF
December next, what legislation was
necessary to protect piers, breakwaters,
and other public works Of the United
States against trespass upon, or injury
to The same.
Mr.. Hsmlin moved to amend the sub
stitute of Mr.. Thurman so as 10 direct the
Secretary of War 10 report, also, all
instances in the United States, where
piers, break waters, or other works OF
public Improvement by the United
States, are used, occupied, or injured by
corporations. The amendment was ac-
cepted by Mr.. Thurman, and the question
being on his substitute Tor the amend
ment of Mr.. Edmunds. i. was agreed
to.
Mr.. Ed,unds then renewed the
amendment Furnishing by fine not eI.
ceeding $1,000, any person who shall
unlawfully injure any pier, breakwater,
or other work. Agreed TO.
The bill WAS then reported TO the
Senate, and the amendments made in the
Com mittee of the Whole coDcurred in.
The question being on the passage OF
the bill, Mr.. Ednunds submitted sub
stitute therefor, appropria-ing GS,ooOiW 600
for the repair and preservation OF works
commenced fo- the improvement OF
rivers and harbors, 70 be expended under
the direction Of the Secretary Of War
Rejected; yeas II, nays 81. The bill
then passed.
Adjourned.