The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-01-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
Yesterdays Doings in the Ma
tional Legislature.
SENATE,

SENATE.
Washington, Jan. 18.-Yoorhees, by
request, introduced bill reviying and
continuing the court of commissioners
Of Alabama claims, and for the distri-
button of unappropriated moneys of
the Geneva award. Referred.
Grover presented a petition of the
citizens of Oregon in favor of extend
ing the time for completing the North
ern Pacific railroad. Referred.
Conkling presented several petitions
of citizens of Albany, New York, re-
monstrating against the passage of the
Bland silver bill. Laid on the table.
The bill having been reported to the
Senate, in presenting the memorials he
said they were signed by men represent
ing not only money and property, but
enterprise also, and expressed the opin-
ion that the passage of the bill would
be prejudicial to the honor and credit
of the government. He also presented
a memorial of the Albany Board of
Trade against the passage of that bill.
Laid on the table.
At the expiration of the morning
hour the Senate resumed consideration
of unfinished business, being the reso-
lntion of Matthews declaring the right
of the Government to pay the interest
and principal of bonds in silver, and
Merrimon spoke in favor thereof.
Merrimon said he would never con-
sent to the slightest impairment of the
honor of the country. He reviewed
the financial legislation since 1862, to
show that the bonds were lawfully pay
able in silver. The Government, by its
legislation, had steadily appreciated the
value of the bonds at the expense of
greenbacks, which had been withdrawn
by Government, not as business re-
quired, but as seemed best for the bond
holders.
Massey said the Constitution itself re-
organized the double standard. AS
Sherman had said in the Senate, Con-
gress had the right to restore the silver
dollar whenever it thought proper. He
Massey thought the time had coma.
Pending discussion the Vice-Presi-
dent presented message of the Presi-
dent, enclosing the answer of the At
torney General to Chaffee's resolution
asking what impeachment existed to en-
forcing the laws on the Union Pacific
road and its branches. The Attorney
General states that he has heard argu-
ment by the parties interested, and that
the subject has been discussed in an
amicable suit in the United States Cir
cult court for Nebraska, and is now
awaiting its decision. He says: II do
not find any specific authority vested in
the President which enables him in his
executive capacity to oblige the Union
Pacific railroad company to desist from
an unlawful use of its road, if such
exists, nor is he empowered to
ascertain whether the law is being
violated. The railroad acts contem-
plated that these questions are for the
courts to determine. Whether addi-
tional legislation should be had, so that
remedies other than judicial can be ap-
piled in such cases, is question for
Congress to determine. Should legal
proceedings in behalf Of the public
seem necessary in order to determine
the question involved, it seems desir-
able that legislation be had which
would preclude all questions as to the
power of the Attorney General to pro-
ceed in the premise. Meanwhile, the
civil suit referred to will be decided
before any such proceedings could be
put in motion. Until the rights of
these companies are judicially ascer-
tained, it is advisable to have them
defined through any criminal proceed
ings under the act of July 20, 1874"
The communication and report were
referred.
A message was also read from the
President enclosing an extract from the
annual report of the General of the
army, and communications from the
Commissary and Quartermaster Gen.
erals in regard to the cause and costs of
the war with the Nez Perces. Re-
ferred.
The Vice-Presid ent presented COM
munication from the Secretary of War,
with the report of Major Weitzel, of
engineer corps, regarding the manage
ment of the Louisville and Portland
canal. Referred.
Also communication from the At
torney General giving the number of
civil prosec cutions in U. S. courts in
South Carolina for offences against the
civil rights law. Referred.
Many petitions on reconciliation
were presented.
After an executive session the Senate
adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Washington, Jan. 1B.-Durham re.