Daily globe., 1878-03-21

Condition of tho Homes OF Disabled
Soldiers.
Senate.
WAsH1Earos, March 20.-Senator Window,
from the committee on appropriations, reported
with amendments the Senate bill to provide for
the deficiency in the miscellaneous fund Of the
House. Placed on the calendar.
Senator Mitchell introduced bill fer protec-
tion of homestead settlers ON public lands.
Referred.
It was ordered that there be printed for the
use of the finance committee . statement made
by the secretary Of the treasury in regard to
the repeal of the resumption act and the tables
submitted by him on the subject.
Senator Allison introduced bill to repeal
Of timber on the public lands. Referred.
The Senate bill 70 amend section 2,4e4 Of the
revised statutes, relating to the cultivation of
timber on the public domain, was discussed
briefly and passed-yess 80, nays IL.
Senators Window, Blaine and Withers were
appointed . committee on tho part Of the
Senate on the military and academy appropria-
ton bill. 20
Senator Howe submitted the following:
RESOLVED, Thst the President is requested, If
not incompatible with the public interest to
inform the Senate whether w. b. Whitaker,
who recently presided in tho superior criminal
court of the parish of New Orleans, was form
erly employed either in the internal revenue
service or as assistant treasurer 1T New
of time and whether in either of said capaci-
ties said Whitaker is defaulter to the United
States, and to what amount and under what
circumstances; whether legal proceedings have
been taken against said Whitaker, either civil
or criminal, and with what result; whether
such proceedings are still pending, or if dis
continued. when they were discontinued and
by whose direction. Ordered that it be print
ed and lie on the table.
Senator Howe said at home and elsewhere he
had been accused of not yielding that cordial
support to the Presidents policy, and if it
would suit tho convenience of the Senate Mon
day next, he would like to take up the resolu-
tion and submit some remarks by way of ex-
ousing himself, 20 far as he was able.
Senator Hoar, from the committee on claims,
reported favorably Senate bill for the relief of
the Richmond female institute, at Richmond,
Va. Placed ON the calendar.
Senator Harris, from the same committee,
reported favorably bill for the relief of James
Fishback, collector of internal revenue for the
tenth district of Illinois. Placed on the calen-
| dar.
At the expiration of the morning hour, con-
| sideration was resumed of the Pacific railroad
sinking fund bill, and Senator Mitchell spoke
in favor Of the bill reported by tho committee
on railroads, claiming that it was in tho inter.
eat of peace and that it would terminate the
contest, - It recognized the fact that pro
longation of the controversy would result in
loss to tho government. Mr.. Mitchell quoted
| at great length from judicial decisions, - te
tho power Of Congress, and referring to the
clause of the bill of the judiciary COMMITTEES
declaring what should constitute net earnings
said it. was indefensible in law and
opposed to reason. This question wal
now pending in the courts, and
Congress had no right to make any declaration
in advance of any decision. He argued that
the government had no sovereignty in the mat.
| ter. When the government made contract
with it's citizens it divested itself of it's sove-
reignty, and stood upon the same footing as itt
citizens.
Senator Thurman said he did not propose tt
discuss the bill further now, but ut tho proper
time he would endeaver to show the Senate
that the bill of the committee on railroads va.
new subsidy to these companies, nearly equa
to the bond subsidy already granted. n.
thought it would be better for the government
give up tho right to alter, amend or repea
their charters, a. the bill of the railroad com
mittee proposed to do.
Senator Teller took tho floor to speak upor
the bill, but before commencing the argument
it was agreed that the bill should be laid ovel
until tomorrow, with tho understanding thai
it be the unfinished business after the morning
hour.
The Senate then resumed consideration o1
the House bill authorizing tho secretary Of thu
treasury to employ temporary clerks, an6
making an appropriation for tho same; alst
making an appropriation for detecting trcspasl
on public lands and for bringing into marke
public lands in certain States, and for othe
purposes, the pending question being on the
i amendment Of Senator Beck to the amendment
any charge for wood or timber cut on publ,
lands in Territories of the United States for thl
use of actual settlers in Territories. and no
for export, 80 as to provide that timber shoult
not be exported from the Territory where i
grew. .
Senator Beck modified bis amendment so q
to provide that in the event Of timber being >.
exported from the territory, it should be liAbl,
/ to seizure by United States authority wherever
/ found.
Pending discussion Senator Conover sub
mitted the following.
Resolved, That the President is hereby 70
quested to communicate to the Senate, II no
1 incompatible with public interest, such informa
/ tion rs the government has received respectin,
the terms and conditions under which the sur
render of the Cuban insurgents has been msde
together with such other information in hi
possession respecting the future policy of Spail
in the government of the leland Of Cuba.
He asked for immediate consideration of tn,
resolution, but objection was made and it wa
laid over.
/ Adjourned.