Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-21
SYNOPSIS OF LAST NIGHTS REPORT

SYNOPSIS OF LAST NIGHTS REPORT
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Washington, Feb. 20-The house com.
mmittee on railways and canals to-day heard
the closing argument on the bill providing
for an appropriation Of one million dollar,
to make a ship canal Of the dismal swamp
canal in Virginia and North Carolina.
The house committee on military affairs
to-day examined .Adjutant General Towns.
end, regarding the reduction of the army.
The subcommittee of seven members, Of
the house committee ON Pacific r. Rs.
charged with the preliminary consideration
Of various measures respecting the south
trans continental railroad communication,
to-day reported to the full committee a sub.
stitute for all pending bills, embodying all
the main features Of the bill introduced by
Mr.. Stephens, in aid of the Texas Pacific R.
r. company. 1t provides that the eastern
terminus shall be on the east bank of the
Mississippi river, not further north than
Memphis, nor below Vicksburg.
No provision wasss.made for any branches
from Fort Worth to San Diego. The gov.
eminent is to guarantee the payment of FIVE
per cent. interest on the bonds to be issued,
to an amount not exceeding $50, 600 pei
mile, for 1850 miles, and not exceeding
$4,000 per mile for the remaining $50
miles Of the road traversing the mountain
Gus country. The subcommittee make a
provision that eighteen million acres of land
in Arizona and New Mexico, heretofore
granted to the company, shall revert to
the United States, to be sold by the govern
ment, half of the proceeds together with all
the net earnings of the road and amounts
earned for the government transportation OF
all descriptions, to be retained in the United
States treasury for the payment of the inter.
est, and the creation Of a sinking fund.
The house committee on public lands has
agreed to report favorably the bill forfeiting
all grants to a number of railroads, whose
agreements has not been fulfilled. If the
bill passes, about one hundred million acres
will be restored to the public domain.
RESIGNATION.
SouthwicE Guthrie, for fifteen years CASH
Ter of the United States treasury, has re-
signed by request.
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Indianapolis, Feb. 20.-The democratic
state convention met this morning. Ex-
Gov. Hendricks was chosen permanent
chairman. The committee on resolutions
reported a platform, which was unanimous.
ly adopted. 1t demands that national bank
notes shall be replaced with an equal
amount Of government treasury notes, with
= full legal tender quality; favors making
greenbacks a full legal tender for all debts,
except where original contrast has been ex-
pressely provided for coin payment, the
government has the exclusive p~rerogative
to issue paper, as we'll as coin, and that such
issue should be made as the business
interests Of the country de-
mand; favors the taxation of
US. notes, in common with all other money,
deems...he syndicates to place our loans
abroad, as inexpedient, and favors . legisla-
ton which shall distribute the debt among
the people, thus giving the masses a safe in
vestment Of their earnings; also fayors a leg
islation to make the maximum rate ofinter-
est six per cent demand the restoration of
the 4l23 grains silver dollar, with a full
legal tender quality, with unlimited coinage
upon the same terms as gold is coined, and
demand the immediate and unconditional
repeal of the resumption act demand rigid
public economy, and the reduction of off,
cial salaries; repeal the bankrupt law; de-
plore the late contest between labor capital.
Several clauses looking to the improve.
ment of the condition of the workingmen,
was a part of the platform. It declares for
public anti-sectarian schools declares that
the circuit courts of the United States have
claimed and exercised unjustly, privileges
over corporate and individual state rights /;
opposes also legislation and subsidies de-
nounces the republican leaders, who through
the venal returning boards committed the
monstrous crime Of defeating the will of the
people, in the late presidential election.
The resolutions IN this point are re-
markedly severe, declaring that the
crime can only be condoened when
the malefactors, who seated . fraud in
the presidential chair, are drawn from pow
er, and Consigned to everlasting infamy.
They denounce the president for appointing
the returning board u lucrative positions;
for attempting to interfere with the prosecu.
Of the returning beard for their crimes: also
requesting the states congremmea to favor 4
bill for p%snsioning the Nexicas war VET
rams.
John g. Ehasklin, Of vanderbure county
was nominated for secretary Of aais.