The New York herald., 1877-01-12
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 1877.
THE POWERS PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF THE
HOUSE ON COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTE
CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
The House Committee on the Privileges, Powers and
Duties Of the House OF Representatives in counting
the electoral vote. held long session to- night and
nnshed their report on that subject Their conclu.
SONS arc:-
Fsrst-That this power to count the electoral vote Is
not conferred by the constitution the President of
tho Senate
Second-Tbat the power is conferred by the const-
tution upon the Senate and House
Third-ihat IN the execution Of the power 10 count
the electoral House OF s at
least coordinate and equal with the Senate.
Fourfh-rhat IN counting the electoral votes no
DO counted against the judgment and without
the assent OF the House.
These propositions were agreed to bv strict party
neutrality-suspicious. Knott, Tucker, Marsh and
Sparks (dcmocrats) in tho Affirmative; Represent
alivcs secyc Burchard OF Illinois, and McDil (repub-
leans in the negative.
THE SOUTHERN TRANscoNTINENrAL RoAD-A
BILL AGREED ON BY THE HOUSE COMMIT
TEE--DErAILs OF THE MEASURE.
The House Committee on Pacific Railroads today
unanimo ously Instructed their CHAIRMAN Mr. Lamar of
Mississippi 10 report to the House pass ge bill
granting government aid for the completion of
sou,0crn ransconincntal railroad. The subject has
been under consideration by the committee
ever since the beginning Of the present
Congress. but great dnlcuy has been ex.
perenced In reconcilng tho large number
Of conflicting intercss One OF the primo pal obstacles
tho way Of the commttcc's arrival at a conclusion
from tho rival claims Of the Texas Pacific Rail-
road Company, represented by Colonel Scott and the
Southern Pacific OF California, represented by Mr.
Huntington. These two interests having satisac
cd m fair nd has
Mr. Huntington, on behalf OF his company, bav
ing fully accepted the provisions and limitations
OF the Texas Pacific bill, introduced last scs-
sion by Mr.. Atkins, OF Tcnnessee-nameiy
''that this Pacific Railway should always remain
open highway, subject TO tho control Of Congress-
the committee have finally reached favorable vote
upon the measure.
The bill to bc reported by Mr. Lamar provides for
tho construction OF union line IRON Fort WORTH tho
present western terminus OF the Texas and
Pacific road, via FL Paso TO san Diego, Cal, a
distance oi 800 miles The government Is to guaran-
tee the interest, not the principal the nvc per
nifty year gold bonds Of the lines from Fort
Worth and Fort Yuma, a distance Of about $50 miles
That portion Of the limo ing between Fort orh and
point 100 miles OF NJ Paso Is to bc constructed
by the Texas and Pacific Company, and IRON that point
to San Diego by tho Southern Pacific Company. The
branches provided for in tho bill are
Fira-Onc from Shreveport or Marshall TO New Or
leans
.Second--Onc from Jefferson. Texas, to Memphis
Third-From Shreveport to vicksburg
F0urh-One from Vepita, l. T., to intcrscct the
Texas Pacific at point cast of the 103d meridian
Tho government is to guarantee tho interest upon
the bonds Of the companies constructing the main line
not exceed $35. 900 per mic and upon the
brauchcs at the rate Of $4,000 pcr mile. but
bonds only TO the amount OF the actual cost Of
construction are to be issued, so " the road bc
built for $4,000 $4,000 per mile bonds only to that
amount are to issued.
To the for this guarantee the sew.
cra companies required to execute nrst mortgage
upon the whole property OF the companies and upon
their land grants from the United states and the State
OF Texas In addition the government is to retain all
dues for military and postal transportation and tco-
graph service, and T., have lien such part Of tho
earnings OF the companies and the entire proceeds Of
the sale OF their lands may be necessary to provide
for the prompt payment Of tho interest the
bonded debt
The bill contains stringent provisions prohibiting
combinations with the existing Pacific Railway CON-