San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-04-06
EORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

In the Senate, on the 10th, Mr.. Matthews
said he was directed by u majority of the
committee on Railroads to report back the
two senate bills in regard to the Texas Pacific
Roilroad-one introduced by senator John
son on the 10th of December, ana the other
nv senator Dorsey on the 18th OF December
isst. with substitute, and to recommend its
massnge Placed on the calendar. He also
rreported back from the same committee the
senate bill authorizing the southern Pacific
pailroad Company to extend its railroad
from its present terminus In Arizona to
noint on the Rio Grande near FL Paso,
and aiding in building the same, with
out amendment ana without RECOMMENDS
alton, Placed son the calendar. Mr. Eustis
Introduced Il bill to authorize the Barrataria
Shin Canal Company to construct and oper-
ate n ship canal from New orleans to the
t;ulf of Mexico through the lands and waters
Of the United states, and to grant to said
company the right OF way for that purpose.
Referred. The Senate bill to amend Section
s.i6i of the Revised Statutes, relating to the
cultivation of timber on the public domain,
was discussed until the expiration of the
morning hour. During the discussion Mr..
ingalls, said that the Timber-culture act mad
failed in every particular to meet the nste eM
Of being benefit it had been injurious.
The whole thing had been systematic eva.
sion and fraud, rs the people often claim
land after plantii lew s%itc c S no. ,i ~
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to
make &C, tain negotiations with the Ute In
dians in the State OF Colorado, passed.
The bill making an appr9prlation ior ae'
was debated at some length by Senators
Beck, Blaine, Eustis, Hoar, Dawes, ana sar.
gent, but no vote was reached......ln the
fhe House, Mr.. Harrison, Chairman OF the
Committee on Civil Service Reform, SUD
mitted Il majority report OF that committee
on the matter of the charges against Door.
keeper Polk. 1t declares Polk to be Innt
and recommends the adoption OF a
resolution declaring the office of Doorkeeper
vacant and devolving its duties on the Ser
geant- at arms until the appointment vi IA y
by Messrs. Cook, Cravens, Garth and Henry,
declares that, no corruption having been
proven or even charged against Colonel
aG I, the majority resolution. The
bill regulating the compensation OF Onlteu
States Marshals and Deputies, also OF Clerks
and Jurors of United States Courts, passed.
Mr.. Smith, of Tennessee. from the Commlttee
on Appropriations, reported a bill making an
appropriation for the payment OF invalid and
OTHER pensions 1t appropriates $29, 5000.
Referred to the Committee OF the Wn0le. me ne
General Deficiency bill was considered at
length in Committee of the Whole.
In the Senate, on the Goth, the bill to
amend Section 9, AGA of the Revised Statutes
relating to the cultivation of timber on pub
lie domain was discussed briefly and passed.
Senator Howe submitted q resolution, re-
questng the President, if not Incompatible
ate whether W., r. Whitaker, who t,,, re-.
Criminal Court of the Parish of Orleans, was
formerly employed either IN me me imtern az
New Orleans, and whether said whitaker Is
a defaulter to the United States, etc. order.
ed printed and to lie on the table. Senator
~ Al,., l.. had
yielding cordial support to the Presi-
dents policy, and if it would suit the
convenience of the Senate Monday
next, he would like to take e., up the
resolution and submit some remarks by way
of eXcusing himself, so far as he was able.
At the expiration of the morning hour CON
sideration was resumed of the Paciiic Ran,
road Sinking fund bill, and Senator Mitchell
spoke in favor of the bill reported by the
Committee on Railroads. Senator thurman
followed in opposition to the bill: Pending
discussion, Senator Conover supInltten u
to communicate to the Senate. II
not incompatible with public interests, sucn
information as the Government has received
which the surrender of Cuban insurgents has
been made, together with such other 1ntor-
nation in his possession respecting the ~.
ture policy of Spain in the government OF the
Island of Cuba He asked fOrimmediate con-
sideration of the resolution, but objection was
made and it was laid over. In the House,
consideration was resumed OF the Dill report
ed by the Printing Committee regulating 1ne
ADVERTISING of mail lettings. 1t provides
that notices shall be published IN one OF
more papers in each State Interested; thag
proposals for mail lettings will be received
mt certain date, and that all IN
formation pertaining thereto can be
obtained on application to the Second ASSIST
ant Postmaster General Mr., Hale oHered an
amendment providing that no SUB -lettlns OF
contracts should be permitted, and whenever
such sub letting did occur the contract
should be considered as terminated. The
amendment was adopted and the bill passed;
The remainder of the session was occupied
with the Deficiency bill.
In the Senate, on the 21st, Mr.. Hereford
submitted preamble and resolution declar-
ing that the House bill to repeal specie ls-
sumption had been referred to the Finance
Committee of the Senate on the 26th OF NO
vemberlast, and requiring said committee 10
report said bill to the Senate within one week,
together with their action thereon,if any snall
have been had He asked Tor present CON
sideration of the resolution, but objection
was made by Mr.. Morrill,, and 1t went over.
The remainder o the session was devoted 10
discussion of the bill to establish the ie ;i.
tory of Lincoln, the Pacific Railroad SINK
ing fund bill! and the sO-called TIMBER uePre-
dations. lin the House, Mr.. Waddeil'
Chairman OF the Committee ON rost-
offices and Post roads, reported a Dill 10
establish Postal Savings Depository as
branch of the Post Office Department, ana 10
aid in refunding the interest-Dea IN
debtedness of the United states. ordered
printed and recommitted. MIR. Chalmers IN
troduced bill providing for the or
ganization of a Mississippi Improve
ment Commission. Referred. The House
then went into Committee OF the
Whole, Mr. Carlisle in the char, on the Naval
Appropriation bill. The amount approprlat-
ed is Sli,OlS6Si. After some discussion tne
committee reported the bill without a single
amendment, and it was Immediately passed
by the House.
In the Senate, on the 22d, the Vice-Presi-
dent submitted a communication from the
Secretary of War inclosing a letter from the
Chief of Engineers recommending an appro-
priation for continuing examinations in con-
nection with the construction OF lettles az
south Pass, Mississippi River. Referred Atne
expiration of the morning hour the consul,
Grafton of the Pacific Railroad sinking-fund
n NJ LON rnlA mi n