The Portland daily press., 1876-02-22
Forty Fourth COngress-First Session.
SENATE.

and referred, including many for the repeal of
the bankrupt law.
A message was received from the House
announcing the passage OF concurrent resolu.
tien by that body declaring the.22 of Feb of
the present year legal holiday.
Mr.. Hamlin of Maine asked for an imme-
diste consideration of the resolution.
Mr.. Conkling said he did not object to its
passage, but he desired to say that the time
would come if it had not already, when Con-
gress should declare the birthday of Abraham
Lincoln legal holiday.
The Senate proceeded TO the consideration of
the concurrent resolution and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Allison, from the Committee on Appro.
prations, reported with amendments the House
bill making appropriations for the support of
the military academy for the year ending June
Both, 1874 Placed OH the calendar.
MIR. Morrill, of Vt, submitted resolution ill.,
structing the Committee on Library to enquire
as TO the expectancy of making an appropria-
ton OF $1,000 annually for the library of the
Treasury Department.. Agreed to.
Mr. Morrill, OF VT, from the Committee on
Revolutionary Claims, submitted report up
on the Senate bilfto provide for the settlement
OF claims OF officers of the revolutionary army
and or the widows and children of those who
died IN the service, which he asked to have
printed and recommitted. So ordered.
MIR. Frelinghuysen, from the Committee on
Judiciary, reported back the petition of Jas.
A. Briggs, asking Congress to prohibit the
sale OF the Wabash and Erie canal between
Terre Haute and the Ohio line with resolu
ton that the Attorney General of the United
States IS hereby requested to report to Con-
gress whether any act of Congress is necessary
to protect the property and interest of the
United States in the Wabash and Erie canal
from Terre Haute to the state of Ohio, and
that he be requested in the meantime to take
such measures as may be deemed necessary to
have the sale of said canal which is advertised
for the Oath inst. postponed.
Senator Mcdonald said he. did not object to
the first part OF the resolution but moved to
strike out the latter part 1t would only inter-
fere with the sale of a portion of the canal
which had been ordered by decree of the
court. The motionswas rejected and the reso.
luton was agreed to.
Senator Harvey called up the resolution sub
mItted by him few days ago directing the
Secretary of War to furnish the Senate such
suggestions as may be deemed expedient for
public service concerning period from be-
tween May 18th, 1869, to Oct 1872, to enable
the government to carry out the provisions of
the act constituting eight hours atday's work
for all laborers, workmen and mechanics en-
ployed by or in behalf of the government APP
proved June %, 1868.
Mr.. Harvey SAID that the object of the reso-
linton was to get before the Senate such infor-
nation as to enable the Senate to see why that
law has not been executed in certain in
stances.
Mr. Sargent said it was contemplated that
the Secretary of War should send to the Senate
list of persons who have claims against the
government on account of this Law. He was
opposed to it as it would open fine field for
claim agents.
Mr.. Harvey said these claims were of such a
character that Congress could provide for their
settlement and claim agents would have moth
ing to do with them
Mr.. Allison said the resolution should be re.
felred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. salisbury said he had no hesitation in
saying that this eight hour law was an evil as
it originally passed. 1t had already cost the
government good deal of money by reducing
the hours of labor from ten to eight. He did
not want any suggestions from the Secretary of
War on the subject. This resolution was an
initiatory step to pay more claims1to further
tax the people of the country. The time had
comd when Congress should shut down on all
such claims.
Mr.. Harvey said he did not propose to dis
cuss the policy of the eight hour law now, but
such law was on the statute books and Con-
gress should see that it was enforced.
Pending discussion the morning hour expir-
ed and the resolution was laid aside.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Committee ON Judi
ciary, reported adversely on the bill to amend
sec. 2.165 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States, and it was indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Sargent moved that when the Senate ad-
journed to-day it be to Wednesday. Agreed
to-.
Senate then resumed the consideration of the
for sale of timber lands in the state of Califor-
mia and Oregon and in the Territories of the
United States. The pending question being on
amendment of Mr.. Sargent that any person
desiring to avail himself of the provision OF
the act in addition to other requirements men,
toned in the bill shall declare that he has not
made any agreement with any person or per-
sons by which title he might acquire from the
United States or any right on said land or the
timber thereon should inure in whole or part
to the benefit of any person except himself it
was agreed to.
Other amendments we're offered and rejected
and the bill was passed
Mr.. Conkling called up the Senate bill con.
ferng exclusive Jurisdiction over the Indian
reservations upon United States Courts and for
the punshments of crimes committed by and
against the Indians which was amended and
then laid aside to come up as unfinished bust
ness on Wednesday.
Mr.. Windham from Committee on. appro-
prations reported favorably on the House bill
making an appropriation to pay fourteen
crippled and disabled American soldiers en-
ployeG in the House of representatives from
the 9th of December, 1876, to the Both Of June,
1876 Passed.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, from conference Com
mittee on joint resolution to pay interest on
365 District of Columbia bonds, made report
which was read. Mr.. Morrill, said the only
difference between this report and that
submitted few days ago was that the present
one recited the several stats giving authority
to Board of Audtutes and repealed them all so
the board acted should be repealed and again
report now submitted, provided that Board of
Auditors should at the end of 80 days turn out
to the district commissioners all the books anG
papers in their possession. The Board of Au-
ditors had no further power to audit claims
and issue certificates. After discussion and
the rejection of various diatory motions the
report was concurred in yeas 81, nays 25
Mr.. Wadleigh gave notice that with view
to examining the report be would on Wednes-
larr has 81, xyNt. .1yI
Senate went into executive session and at
5 30 o'clock adjourned till Wednesday.
HOUSE.
A large number of bills were presented and
also resolutions of the Maine Legislature
against compulsory pilotage.
Mr.. Lord of New York offered resolution
directing the Attorney General to report by
what authority and for what purpose he re.
Gently gave instructions to his subordinates in
CONFIRMATION of the long established rule re-
lating to the testimony of accomplices in Grim
inaliactions. Adopted.
House proceeded to vote on the bill to reor
ganize the judiciary and it passed by yeas 143,
nays 102.
Mr.. Kelly of Pa, offered a resolution calling
for the correspondence between the Treasury
Department and the Bank Of England prior to
the 3lst of December, 1873 10 relation to the
transfer of the proceeds of U. S. bonds sold or
to be sold in London: also for the correspond
ence between the State Department and the
British government in relation to the mode of
transferring to this country the amount OF the
Geneva award. Adopted.
Mr.. Ellis of La. offered a resolution for the
appointment of subcommittee to visit and
inspect the ievees of the Mississippi river and
the region subject to iDundation in order to
obtain such data and practical information as
may enable tito determine the necessity and
amount of appropriation, provided the visit be
not made at the public expense, Adopted.
Mr.. Townsend offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on the Pacific Railroads to
enquire whether any committee on arrange
ments had been formed by the Central Pacific
and Union Pacific Railroad Companies, or by
any of their officers with English capitalists or
corporations, to transfer the commerce of the
Pacific Ocean, now carried in American built
ships to English built ships sailing under the
British flag. Adopted
Mr.. Faulkner of W. Va, offered resolution
instructing the Committee on Foreign Affairs
to enquire into the facts and circumstances of
the conviction in Great Britain of Edward o. .
Meagher COndoo, a citizen of the United States
and whether the case is proper one for the in
terposition of the government, either in form
of demand for his release. or of an appeal to
British clemency. Adopted
Mr.. Goodin of Kansas offered a resolution