The Portland daily press., 1877-02-07
Forty Fourth Congressional SessIo n
SENATE.


mittee reported back the Indian appropriation
bill with sundry amendments, and gave notice
ne would call it up as soon as possible.
Mr.. Sherman from the Finance Committee
reported favorably on House bill authorizing
the Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau
to buy in certain real and other property and to
sell some at public or private sale,
A resolution was adopted requesting the Sec
rotary of the Navy to transmit to the Senate
narrative OF the second expedition of Capt.
Hall to the Arctic regions to be compiled from
notes of the expedition made by Capt Hall and
purchased from his widow.
MIR. Window, from the Committee on Appro-
priations, reported adversely on the House bill
to provide payment of James B. Fades for the
construction of jetties at the south pass of the
Mississippi river, and it was placed on the cal
endar with the adverse report.
Mr.. West, from the Committee on Railroads,
reported favorably on the Senate bill to amend
the act of June 8, 1872, granting the right of
way through the public lands to the Denver &
Rlo Grand Railway Company. Passed.
1t allows the company 10 years from the pas
sage OF the original act to complete the road to
Santa Fe.
In answer to question of Mr.. Merrimon,
Mr. West said the bill granted no subsidy what,
bill was then read the third time and passed.
Mr.. Burnside introduced bill for the pro-
lection OF Widows orphans and heirs-at law of
officers of the army of the United States. Re-
ferred to the COMMITTEE on Military Affairs.
MIR. Cragin introduced bill for the erection
OF Doboll trumpet signal at Whales Back
Island in the harbor of Portsmouth, N. H. Re-
ferred to COMMITTEE on Commerce.
He also introduced bill for the relief of
Donald Mckay. Referred to the Committee
on Naval Affairs
MIR. Stevenson presented memorial of the
regents OF the Smithsonian Institute asking an
appropriation of $250,000 to erect a building
adjoining the Smithsonian for the exhibition
OF goods contributed by foreign governments to
tne United States, which goods were lately on
exhibition at Philadelphia.
Mr.. Morrill, spoke in it's favor.
The legislative, judicial and executive appro-
prlatlon bill was received from the House of
Representatives and referred to the Committee
on appropriations.
Mr.. HamliD, flom the conference committee
on dsagreeing votes of the two houses on the
bill establishing certain post routes, which in
wolves the question of restoring fast mail trains
and the franking privilege, reported that the
committee had been unable to agree and he
moved for new conference committee asked
for by the House. So ordered
racine Mall funding matter was taken up
MI. Hitchcock referred to the ADVANTAGES
which has been enjoyed by the country on ac
count OF the construction of the Pacific rail-
roads and said prior to 1862 the TRANSFORMATION
OF mails cost the government 81 800 900 DER an
mum, while the whole amount of interest it
now paid on the Pacific railroads amounted to
but 100000 per annum. The people Of this
country never expected that the boEds loaned
70 the faclhc railroad companies should be
PAID except by transporting mails, &c., for the
government. He did not believe the American
people desired the bill from the Judiciary Com
mttee TO pass.
Mr. Boutwell, said he only proposed to dis
cuss some OF the legal points involved in the
Dill reported by the Judiciary Committee. He
quoted from the Pacific railroad acts aud ar
gued that Congress had the power to alter and
amend them &C pleasurs. Ii these railroad
corporations had done the things they prom
to DO tbs government was bound to do the
things it promised to do. Tue government not
only promised to issue q. S. bonds, but agreed
to wait a certain time for their PAYMENT. and
the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee
meant that they should be paid at another
time than that contemplated in the original
act.
Mr.. Conklng spoke at length against the
bill.
Mr.. Gordon took the floor with the under
standing that he would proceed with his re-
marks to morrow and the bill was laid aside in
formally with the understanding that it should
De diminished business tomorrow.
The bill abolishlng the Board of METROPOLITAN
fohce Commissioners of the District of Co.
lumbia, with the Presidents veto, was taken
from the liable and discussed, the question be-
ing, Shall the bill pass notwithstanding the
objections of the President" 1t was decided
in the negative by the following vote-yeas SO.
nays %: '' 90
Yeos-Messrs. Alcorn, Barnum, Blaine, Bopv
booth, Chafee, Cockrel, Cooper Davis, Denns, Ea-
ton, Goldthwate, Hamilton. Hamlin Hereford.
johnson, Jones of Florida, Jones of Nevada KeI,,
ley, Herman, McCreery, Mcdonald, Maxcy Merri-
mon, Norwood, Robertson, Stevenson, Teller Wad-
leigh, Wallace, White and Withers-33.
;. Noys-Messrs. Allison, Bruce, Burnside, Chris
tiancy, Clayton, Conking, Conover, Cragn, Ferry,
hitchcock, ingalls,, Logan, Mcmillan, MITCHELL Pad,
dock, Patterson, Sargent, Sherman, Spencer West
WINDOW anu Wright-22.
Senate at 40 went into executive session
and when the doors were reopened took recess
till 10 o'clock tomorrow.
HOUSE.
House at II. 10 went into committee of the
whole on the deficiency appropriation bill.
Mr.. Waldron stated The bill appropriated
$1,517. 900. The two largest appropriations
were one of 100000 for the deficiency in the
navy department, and one of $217, 900 for pen
sion to soldiers who have lost their limos.
The bill was then read by sections.
Mr.. WitthOrne offered an amendment direct
ing the accounting officers of the treasury to
adjust and settle the accounts of officers Of the
navy on the active list whose pay had been af-
fected by the general order of the Secretary of
the Navy, No. 216, since the LIST of Sept. 1876,
on the basis of waiting order pay. Adopted.
Without dsposDg of the bill the committee
rose.
Mr.. jerks offered resolution for the print
ing of the testimony taken before the commit
tee on Louisiana affairs, which has not been
printed Adopted.
The House 3 o'clock took recess till 10 a. m,
tomorrow.