The New York herald., 1878-12-05
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. 1878.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate COM
municaton from the Society of the Army Of the Po-
tomac in regard to the publication of certain
sketches anl data concerning the battle of Gcttys-
burg Referred to the Committee Military Affairs.
Also a communication from the Postmaster Gen
eral in regard to the compensation Of certain post
masters, whose nominations were not confirmed at
the special sion of Congress beginning October 15
1877. referred to the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Mr.. DAVIS. idem.) of West Va. submitted resolu-
tion nstructing the Committee ON Agriculture Of
each house of Congress to consider the general sub
jecr OF agriculture and report by bill what be
done by the general government to better advance
and foster the agricultural interests. Laid the
table and ordered that it be printed He gave notice
that he would call it up early day for the pur
pose Of submitting remarks thereon.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. DORSEY (rep of Ark. introduced bill to pro-
vide for the settlement OF all outstanding claims
against the District of Columbia. Referred to tho
District Committee.
Mr.. ROLLINS, (rep3 Of n. H. introduced bill to
regulate the jurisdiction Of justices Of the peace for
the District OF Coumbis and for other purposes Re-
ferred to the District Committee.
Mr.. GARLAND, (dem.) Of Ark, introduced bill to
amend the Judiciary act to suits against certain
corporations. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
The VICE PRESIDENT appointed Mcssrs. Ferry,
Davis Of Illinois and Randolph the committee to in
quire in regard to the omission of the Hot Springs
clause from the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
passed at the last session of Congress, said commit
tee being authorized by resolution Of Mr.. Conover,
agreed to yesterday.
Mr.. DAWES (rep.) Of Mass introduced bill to pay
SIS. 900 to George w. Morse for his abors and ex-
penscs in adapting his system Of breechloading fire.
arms and ammunition to tho OF tho United
States Referred to the Committee on Military AZ
fairs
Mr.. KlRKwoop, (rcp) OF Iowa. introduced bill to
extend the letters patent Of Daniel M. Cook for i'm
provements in the and apparatus for evap
Grating and desccating cane juice Referred to the
Committee on Patents. .#.
TO INTRODUCE SILVER.
Mr. SALISBURY. dem of Del, introduced o bill re-
lating to the redemption Of United States legal tender
notes. Referred to the Committee Finances.
1t directs the Secretary Of the Treasury in redeem
ing United States legal tender notes. required by
the act Of Congress approved January H. 1875 to pay
to each and every person, bank. corporation
citation Of persons presenting said notes for redemp
tion seventy five per cent Of the amount OF SAID
notes 80 presented in gold coiu aud twenty-five per
cent in legal tender silver dollars.
Mr.. EUsTIs (dcm) Of La, introduced bill appro-
prating $5.O00000 for constructing. rebuilding and
repairing levees the Mississippi River in the States
sppi and Louisiana the money to be expended under
direction of the CHIEF engineers of the United States
Ar1ny. laQ the table, ana Mr. EuHClS gave notice
that he would call it up Thursday Of next week to
submit some remarks thereupon.
Mr.. MITCHELL, trep) OF Oregon. introduced bill
making further appropriation of $5O0,00O for the
construction of the canal and locks the
cades Of the Columbia River in Oregon. Referred to
the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. wIrHEEs, (deml OF Va, submitted joint reso-
luton repeating much OF the joint resolution No.
~. approved March 2 1867. as requires proof Of
widows application for bounty land. Referred to
the Committee on Pensions.
EPIpEMcs
Mr.. HARRIS, (den,) Of Tenn. called up the resolu-
tion submitted by him Monday last, providing for
the appointment of committee Of four Senator's and
five Representatives to investigate and report the best
means Of preventing tho introduction and spread OF
epidemic diseases and other diseases especially yellow
fever and cholera. within the limits of the United
States.
Mr.. EDMuSDs; trep of Vt. suggested that the
mttee OF the Senate for that purpose. giving such
committee power to sit and act in conjunction with
any similar committee Of the House. He also sug
gested amendment, that the committee consist Of
seven Senators instead of four. Mr.. Edmunds then
referred to the importance Of this inquiry and asked
States Congress would have power to cgslste this
subject beyond a quarantine on the boundary line
Mr. HARRrs said no not prepared to discuss the
constitutional view of the subject The
mttee would take that into consideration. During
his remarks he spoke of aid to yellow fever sufferers
and said the people Of every State in the Union. north
south. east and west responded with generous and
lavish hand The amendments suggested by Mr..
Edmunds, above m entioned were accepted by Mr.
Harris, and the resolution agreed to amended.
THE TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Mr.. MATTHEW'S (rep.) of Ohio, said the last days of
the last session Of the Senate he gave notice that
this day he would to take up the Texas Pacific
Railway BILL in regard to which he had the honor to
submit few remarks yesterday. He, therefore, now
submitted the motion to take IL up
Mr. MORRILL, lrcp) of VT. said this subject was too
important be pressed the first week Of the session.
He il would not lose it's place long tho
Senator from Ohio tMr. Matthews) was here TO back
itup.
rising vote--yeas 49, nays q.
Mr.. MATTHEWS then gave notice Of various amend
mcnts he would submit to the BILL which propose to
strike out the part requiring the road to be built
the thrty-second parallel OF north latitude.
and provide that failure TO construct the road at
the rate provided ify miles per annuin shall work
the government on the interest OF the bonds TO be
issued for much Of the line may remain uncon-
structed at the time Of such default
On motion of Mr.. wIsDoM repl Of Mnn.. the
Military Academy and Fertilization Appropriation
bills recently received from the House. referred
to the Committee on Appropriations.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Mr. EDMUNDs, of Vermont, gave notice that ON Mon
day he would ask the Senate consider the bill
to amend sundry provisions Of chapter title g. Of
the Revised Statutes of the United states relating 20
late the counting the votes for President and Vice
President, and the decision of questions arising
thereon. He said this was very important subject
and he hoped the senator's would examine IL TO
be prepared to consider IL on Monday
The Senate then, on motion of Mr.. EDMuNDs. at ten
minutes to O'Clock. went into executive session,
and when the doors were reopencd, adjourned until
tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON. Dec. 4. 1878.
The SPEAKER announced that tho frs; business in
order the consideration of the Geneva Award
bill, reported last session from the Judiciary Com
b,rfo nnrt pf Mr. ..fE