The Portland daily press., 1879-02-25
xLvTH C0NGREss-sECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
Passage OF the rmf Appropriation ELL

SENATE.
Passage OF the A rmy Augmentation BilI
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a.
Bill authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to ac-
cept the slip Jeannet for the Arctic expedition was
passed.
MT. Hamhn, from the Committee on Foreign Re-
ationsrepored adversely the Senate bill to grant
the American Ocean Gable and Telegraph Associa-
ton of Philadelphia the privilege to lay land cable
etc., and the committee discharged
MIR. Beck submitted an amendment to the bill
making appropriations to pay arrears of pensions,
which proposes to suspend the operation of all laws
providing for sinking fund and to apply the sur
plus revenue in the treasury after paying current
expenses to the payment of arrears of pensions.
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. Allison, from the Committee on Appropra-
tons. reported with sundry amendments the def
cheney appropI iation bill, and gave notice he would
call 1t up as the army bill was disposed of
MIR. Cameron gave notice that as soon as the army
bill was disposed of he would call up the resolution
reported by the Committee on Elections, declaring.
Corbn entitled to seat senator from South Car
olina.
After the conclusion of the morning business the
Senate discussed the army appropriation bill and the
discussion upon the clause allowing railroad to use
their Telegraph lines for commercial purposes was
| continued.
| MIR. Jones spoke in favor thereof.
Mr.. Bayard spoke in opposition denying the power
of Congress to adopt the proposed measure, and ar
gued that it Congress had power to add to the power
of corporations created by states it had power to de-
tract from those powers. If Congress could turn a
railway company into telegraph company it could
| turn it into manufacturing or banking company.
Mr.. Mcdonald also opposed the whole clause and
| said it was proposed 70 engraft upon railways new
| corporate powers and authorize them to engage in
business entirely different from that for which they
were chartered That states could give such powers
to railways he did not doubt, but he denied that
| Congress had power to confer additional charter
| rights.
MIR. ConklIng said he would vote to strike out the
provision touching telegraphs whatever shape it
might assume. He would 90 SO because it was leg
isation upon an appropriation BILL besides 1t was
| great and complicated subject and should be care:
| fully considered.
| Mi. Hoar sail nearly every state which ncorpor-
ated railways made its stockholders liable for its
debts to large amounts. The bill proposed to render
the private property of railway stockholders liable
for new business which stockholders in roads did
not propose to undertake when they subscribed for
| their stock in railways.
| Mr.. Jones OF Florida said there was nothing COM
Fs'ooAJ Aa VIZ PioP fShtAoas ~ tVluAtdly WltA
railroads whether they would under AXE the trans
mission of commercial kilograms or not.
Mr. Merrimon argued that Congress had power to
pass the proposed measure. The Western Union Co.
was organized by New York for the transmission Of
news throughout the country. Congress had power
! to regulate the transmission of WIS just it han
the power to regulate the postal system. He had no
doubt Congress had the power to create great
poration Tor the transmission Of for carry ing
the mails throughout the country.
The pending question being on the amendment
providing that railways before using their teleg apis
Tor commercial purposes shall file their written &C.
ceptance OF the est' lotions and obligations imposed
on telegraph companies, was agreed to.
The Senate struck out the clause forbiddiDg the
! use of troops at the polls.
The army bill passed with the telegraph clause and
amendments made in committee of the whole.
HOUSE.
The Tobacco BilI-Funds BELONGING to
the COnfederaey.
The House non-coDcurred in the Senate amend
ment TO The tobacco bill which strikes out the pro-
vso that rectfers supplying less than 500 barrels Of
spirit year shall pay license of $780, also nom
concurred In the amendment relating to tax ma
tional and savings banks Committee OF conference
| ordered.
The House moved to suspend the rules and pass
the bill appropriating million and half for erec-
ton OF public buildings Tabled; yeas 49, nays 1877.
The House concurred in the Senate amendment to
the tobacco bill providing the bill shall go into effect
| May list.
The House refused to abolish the tax on matches.
bill was introduced directing the President to
institute inquiry as to the disposition of funds be-
longing to so-caed confederate states remaining at
the end of the war in the bank of England hands
of English citizens in order that such funds be used
for the riet of citizens of confederate sta ties who