The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-10
Forty Fourth Congressional Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.
The bill approprating $1,000 for expenses of
the electoral commission was referred to the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. Dawes introduced bill to equip an ex-
petition to the Arctic Seas on the Howgate
plan. Referred to Naval Committee.
Bill passed to encourage and promote tele-
graphic communication between America and
Europe 1t names +. G. Latrobe, w. f. Frick
and Robert Garrett of Maryland as corporators
to construct and maintain submarine cable
between America and Europe, ana 1T 10 pro-
posed the American end OF the new cable be at
Baltimore.
Credentials of Mr. Ransom of North Carolina
were filed.
The Senate insisted on its amendments to the
fertilization bill, and conference committee
was adopted.
A resolution was adopted to print $4,000 cop
les of the Hayden exploring expedition report
The Senate resumed consideration OF the Pa
cific railroad bill.
Mr.. Eaton of the committee opposed the bill
reported by the Judiciary Committee and IA
vored that introduced by Mr.. Gordon and
reported favorably by the Committee on Rail-
roads,
He argued that Congress had no right to de-
clare what should constitute the net earnings
of the road, as the Judiciary Committee pro-
posed. He thought the true principle for deal
ing with these roads was favored by tne Gordon
bill and that was not to cripple them. Under
that bill every Senator could see that this whole
subject of Indebtedness would be ended ia 80
years, and In that time the people of the United
States would be amply repaid for the money
advanced to build the road He argued that
legislation towards these Pacific railroad COM
panles should be liberal, fair and just. By
passing the Gordon bill the honor of the couu.
try would be maintained and Justice would be
done to the companies
Mr. Dawes reviewed the legislation OF Con
gress in regard to the Pacific railroads and
argued that Congress had made contract with
the companies to build the roads, 1t bau no
right to change the contract now without the
consent OF the companies. The national leyis-
lature having induced certain capitalists to un
dertake and accomplish the great work of
building these roads by holding out certain
terms, could not now change the terms
He opposed the bill reported by the Judiciary
Committee on the ground that it would array
| the roads against the government and cause
| litigation, and favored that reported by the
| Committee on Railroads, as it was acceptable
| to the companies and under it there vas no
| chance for loss.
Mr.. Chrstiancy spoke in favor of the bill of
the Judiciary Committee and argued that Con-
! gress had full power to pass it. He denied that
| the Indebtedness would be lqudated by the
year 1912 under the bill reported by the Com
mittee on Railroads as contemplated by the
bill.
1
| the companies should pay enough annually to
cancel the debt by that time. and in case the
| calculations made by the Railroad Committee
was erroneous they conld be corrected and the
| amount required by the companies would be
Increased IN order to pay the debt by the year
| 1912,
Mr.. Bogy said the proper maintenance of Pa
| cific railroads as great public highways was a
matter of great Importance and Congress should
do nothing to cripple them.
Mr.. Boutwell, argued that the bill of the Ju-
dietary Committee proposed an exercise of
| power which Congress could not EXERT If the
| faith of this country was ever pledged to any,
| body for any purpose it was pledged to the
| companies by acts Of 1862 and 1864 and the
| contract should be kept.
The bill of the judicial committee changed
| the terms. 1t altered the condition upon which
| the companies We're to reimburse to govern
| ment The pledge CT the government should
| be kept and to violate that pledge would oe de-
| structve of all principles of the government.
MIR. Sherman opposed the bill reported from
the committee on railroads and argued that it
| surrendered all rights now now held by the
| government under the original acts.
| Mr.. Boutwell, submitted an amendment to
| the 3D. section of the bill reported by the rail
| road committee so as to provide that the pay
ments by said companies to the credit of the
sinking fund shall be in addition to all pay
| ments or other requirements under the original
acts instead of 'u lieu of all payments or other
| requirements, &c. Ordered printed.
Pending discussion Senate went into execu-
| tive session and when doors re-opened at 30
| took recess until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
HOUSE.
After the introduction Of several bills the
House passed the deficiency appropriation bill.
The bill providing for the dist hutton of
| awards made IN convention between the United
| States and Mexico was passed.
A resolution was offered by Blackburn that
ha hat hal
| be printed at a private printing Office conse-
quent upon the Inability of the public printer
| to do it Immediately, out was withdrawn upon
the sustaining of point of order made by Mr.
Hale that the law prohibited public printing
being done by private parties.
A message was received from the President
| conveying the report of the Centennial board,
recommending it to be printed for distribution
| and presentation. Referred to the committee
on public buildings.
Mr.. Morrison, chairman of tho special COM
mittee on Louisiana affairs submitted a report
of that committee, which concludes with re.
| olution declaring that the Democratic electCF
| received majority of the votes in Louisiana
the compilation OF votes for electors by the
| board of returning officers was without author
| ity of law, fraudulent and void, and that the
vote of that state cannot be counted for HAYES
and Wheeler without the confirmation and ap-
| prevail of the illegal and fraudulent action of
SAID returning board.
Mr.. Townsend of Pa, submitted minority re-
| port recommending the adoption of a resolution
declaring that the Republican electors had been
| elected in Louisiana and that the election was
examined into, determined, declared and pro-
| mulgated by the proper authorities of said
| State, under all the forms of law and in CON-
| pliauce with the constitution of the United
States.
| Both reports were ordered printed and re-
| committed.
| AT 440 o'clock recess was taken till to-mor-
| row az 10 o'clock.