National Republican., 1878-06-12
SENATE.

TUESDAY, June IL, 1873.
There was but little business OF tho morning
hour, and at li:4o, after half an hour spent in
discussing tho order Of business and the i'm
pcrtance of the several measures which
Senators desired taken up, consideration OF
business on tho calendar was proceeded with,
the first bill in order being to authorize the
Secretary Of the Navy 10 transfer to the Secre-
tary Of tho Interior, for entry and sale, all
lands In the State Of Florida not needed for
naval purposes, which was passed.
The following bills were passed For the re-
lief of Albert Ordway, contractor, for furnish
ing granite for the now State Department
building. To provide for the revision aud
correction of assessments for special improve
mCnts in the District of Columbia, with sub.
stitute proposed by Mr.. S,ReESr. To amend
section 1910, Revised Statutes, so MS to allow
Certificates of Merits" to be issued to nom
commissioned officers and musicians, as well
as privates. To amend sections 1885 Revised
Statutes allowing the additional pay granted
10 privates, to nOn.commissons aud musicians.
For the protection of homestead settlers and
the public lands within railroad limits. To
provide additional regulations for homestead
and prC-cmption enterles on the public lands.
lumbia. Declartory Of the law relating to
dcscents and inheritance In the District Of
Columbia. To transfer the title of the United
States square 100 to the District Of Columbia
for the benefit Of public schools. TO provide q
penalty for wanton injury to the public IL
brarics IN the District Of Columbia aud for
other purposes To repeal section 1888 Re.
vised Statutes, relating to company cooks In
the army. To amend section 5i47 Revised
Statutes, relative to the internal revenue laws.
Forty.two bills were disposed Of.
At . u. M. Mr. SARGENT demanded the
regular order, and the Senate resumed the con-
sidcration of the river and harbor bill.
Amendments were adopted restoring the
clause from the House max ing the appropriation
by the act of August II, 1876, available for tho
improvement of the ship channel IN Galveston
Bay. Striking out an item Of $4,000 for the
Improvement of the mouth OF the Mississippi
at Southwest Pass, provisions being made else
where. Restoring the sum appropriated for
the harbor ut Ashtabula, Ohio, reduced by the
committee TO 81, 200 to $1,000. For improve
mcnt of the Missouri River at Ealsport, $4,000
Improvement of tho Osage River, in Kansas
S2O,OGO.
Mr.. MORRILL, offered an amendment pro.
viding that wherever the work proposed tC
bo done by this bill can be done by contract
the work shall be Let to the lowest bidder, un
der regulations to be prescribed by the Secre
tary of War. Agreed to-yeas, 43; nays 10.
Sections to II, inclusive, relating to the
appointment of and duties of the proposed
Mississippi River Improvement Commission
were considered US a whole all relating to ont
subject.
Mr.. BURNSIDE thought the commission
cumbrOus and expensive concern, calculated
to do mitch harm, and offered substitute fol
n commission to consist of three Senators. foul
Representatives, and three members OF th,
Engineer Corps TO consider plan for the i'm
provcment of the Mississippi River, .and sub
nit report at the next session of Congress
Mr.~BECK opposed the original proposition
ms calculated to destroy the usefulness OF thu
Engineer Corps, in their labOrs OH the improv
ment of the Mississippi River, and init
mated that the object was TO make J. B. Fad
head Of the commission, ut a salary of 5000
per annum, with power to override the judg
mcnt of the other four members of the com
mission.
Mr. BuRSsIDE's amendment, was, OH mo
tion Of Mr. EUsTIs, further amended, so as tt
include an inquiry into the gaps and crcvisci
Of the Mississippi River, and, after further dc
bate. the substitute was adoptcd-ycas, 30
nays, 49,
Mr lIOAR objected to the growing practic,
of requiring Senators and Representatives I,
serve on mixed commissions. He thought il
not becoming to the two Houses, and impose
duties not in the legitimate line of thei
duties.
Mr.. BuRSsIpE's amendment was then re
jCCtCd without division.
Mr.. RANSOM offered an amendment appro
pliatimg $4,000 for survey of the watc
routes between Norfolk and the Cape Fea
River including the Albcmare and Chesapeake,
and Dismal Swamp Canals. Agreed to.
Mr.. MITCHELL moved an amendment In
creasng the appropriation for the canal arount
the Cascades of the Columbia, In Oregon, fron
$4,000 to 100000. Agreed to-ycas, %
nays, 20.
On motion of Mr.. wITHERs the appropria
ton for the harbor of Norfolk YVES increasci
from $4,000 to S50,OOO.
On motion of Mr.. HOWE, the appropriation
for the harbor of Shehoygan was increased
from $1,000 to $1,000, and an appropriation o
$4,000 made for the improvement Of the Chip
eva River, in Wisconsin.
Mr.. MAT'FII EWS offered an amendment ap
luprating $4,000 for q harbor of refug,
against ice at or near Cincinnati. Agreed to-
A number Of names Of points at which sur
vCys are directed TO bU made were added /,
the second section.
Mr. HERMAN offered an amendment TO tn,
end Of the first section providing that II,
moro than - per cent. of the amount appro
priatGd by this bill shall bo expended during
the fiscal year ending June 80 1870.
Tho amendment was disagreed to-ycas, go
Mr.. MORRILL, offered an amendment an
thoriZing the Secretary of the Treasury to sci
bonds TO moet tho expenditure authorized b,
the net.
Mr.. NOOHll EES offered to amend the amend
ment by authorizing tho Secretary Of the Treas
ury to issue United States legal.tender notes /,
the amount rendered necessary by tho require
mcnts Of the act.
Mr.. MORRILL, withdrew his amendment
and Mr. VOORHEES, then submitted hi
amendment Gs an original amendment to th
bill.
Mr.. IIOAR raised, and the Chair sustained
the Joint of order that proposition to rIiS'
money was not in order on an appropriation
bill.
The bill was then reported to the Senate ant
passcd--yeas, 80 nays, "a
The total increase while tho bill was unde
discussion In the Senate was S2sO, 900.
On motion Of Mr.. SARGENT the deficiency
appropriation, which he had reported shor
time before without amendment, was taken VI
to be made the order for tomorrow after tb,
morning hour;
And then, ut halfpast six p. M, on motion
of Mr.. ANTHONY, the Senate went into OK
ecutiyc session, and, when tho doors wor
opened, adjourned.
HOESE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
After tho Journal had been read, at lcas
forty gentlemen were gathered in front OF th