The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-02-10
F0RTY-F0URTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, February y.
SERATY

WASHINGTON, Februarys.
SENATE.
Mr.. Window introduced bill appro-
priating $1,000 fer the expenses of the
electoral commission. Referred.
Mr.. Dawes introduced q bill to au.
thorize and equip an expedition to the
Arctic seas. Referred.
The bill provides for the expeditio n
according TO the plan suggested by Cap
tain Howgate.
The bill to encourage and promote
telegrsphic communication between
America and Europe passed, with the
names of F. G. Lstrober William F.
Frick and Robert Garrett, of Maryland,
as incorporators to construct line with
the American end at Baltimore.
The Char laid before the Senate the
credentials of Hon. Matt w. Ransom,
reelected United States Senator from
North Carolina. Placed on file.
The Chair appointed Mr.. Harvey, a
member of the Committee on Puclic
Buildings and Grounds in place of Pad
dock excused, and Paddock q member OF
the Committee on Agriculture in the
place Of Harvey excused.
The Senate insisted on its amendments
to the fortifcation appropriation bill, and
it was ordered that conference
committee be appointed.
Mr.. Ingalls, presented resolutions OF
the Kansas State horticultural society in
favor OF anappropriation TO prevent de-
struction caused by Recky Mountai n
locusts. Referred.
Mr.. Kelly presented the petition OF
the settlers on the Des Moines river
lands in Iowa. in favor of legislation to
perfect the titles of their lands. Refer.
red.
Mr.. Cockrell presented resolutions OF
the Missouri State Grange, calling st.
tention to the report OF It's select COM
mittee in regard to cheap transportation.
Referred
The Chair laid before the Senate res.
olutions o.! the Colorado legis lsture, ask
ing the passage OF law authorizing
coinage at the mint at Denver, and max
ing appropriations therefor. Referred.
At the expiration of the morning hour
bill was considered TO amend the Pa
cific railroad acts, SC, so rs to create q
sinking fund.
Mr.. Eaton argued that Congress had
no right to declare what should consti'
tute the net earnings OF the road rs the
bill OF the Judiciary Committee proposed
Legislation towards these railroad com
psnies should be liberal fair and just
By passing the Gordon bill the honor OF
tue country would be maintained and
Justice would be done to the companies
Mr.. Dawes argued that Congress had
made contract with the companies tc
build the roads and it had no right tc
change the contract now without the
consent OF the companies.
Mr.. Christisncy spoke in favor OF the
bill OF the Judiciary Committee, and
argued that Congress had full power tc
pass it.
Mr.. Bogy thought that it would not be
best to have any legislation on the sub,
iect at this session, but that the Senate
should appoint committee to sit during
the recess and confer with the railroad
companies as to how the matter could bt
settled satisfactorily to the government
as we'll as to the companies.
Mr.. Boutwell, argued that the bill oI
the Judiciary Committee proposed an ex'
e-cise Of power which Congress could not
exert. If the faith OF this country was
ever pledged to any body for any purpose
il was pledged to IL esc companies by the
acts of 1862 and 1864, and the contracts
should be kept
Mr.. Sherman opposed the bill report
ed from tho Committee on Railroads, and
denied that there was any violation "'
public faith in the bIl reported By the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Boutwell, submitted an amend
ment TO the third section of the bill re-
ported by the Railroad Committee, so rs
to provide that payments by sail compa
nies to the credit of the sinking fund
shall be in addition to al ayments oI
other requirements under the Original
acts instead OF in lieu OF all payments ol
other requirements, etc. Ordered print
ed.
Pending discussion the Senate went
into executive session. When the door;
opened a recess was taken until 10 A. NJ