Year: 1874




Lengthy Debate on Post Routes.


SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-The chairman
laid before the Senate communication
from the Secretary of the Treasury, in an
swer to a resolution of that body, giving
Information as to the convenienoes furnish
ed emigrants. Laid on the table.


Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Commit
tee, reported favorably on bill to pay the
bonds Of the Louisville and Portland
Canal. Placed ON the calender.


The District Ring.


Mr.. Thurman presented 4 petition asking
Congress to appoint committee to ex-
anime into the manner in which the affairs
of the government of the District of Co
lumbia are conducted. and especially those
of the Board of Public Works, and that
petitioners be allowed to be present by
counsel at such investigation. In present
ing the petition, Mr.. Thurman said it was
signed by respectable people of the Dis
trict of Columbia and contained grave
charges against the District Government.
He did NOT propose at this time to offer
any resolution for the appointment of such
committee, but he had been told that evil
dence would be submitted to sustain the
charges and it would be time enough then
to offer a resolution. He thought the petit
tion should be printed so the people could
see its contents, and therefore moved that
it be laid on the table and printed.


After discussion, the motion to print was
referred to the committee on printing.


Mr.. Wright, from the Finance Commit
tee, reported favorably on House bill to.
abolish the Office of deputy commissioner of
internal revenue. Placed on the calendar.


Niagara.


Mr.. Wright introduced bill to provide
for cheap transportation. The bill provides
fir the incorporation of a company (the name
OF the proposed Incorporation is not men
tiOned) to construct a ship canal around |
Niagara Falls, the United States Govern
ment TO endorse the construction bonds to
the extent of so per cent of the undertak-
ing, and TO reserve the right to regulate its
tolls.


The Mouth of the Mississippi.


The bill to facilitate the execution of and
TO protect certain public works of improve
ment at the mouth of the Mississippi river
was taken up. This is the bill of the Secre-
tary Of War to assume full control in every
particular of the channel at the mouth of
the Mississippi river in the course of execu-
tion, and to authorize that officer to estab-
lish such regulations respecting the use of
or passage through such channel as he NAV
deem needful to protect the channel and
facilitate the excavations, and that any per-
son violating such regulation shall, upon
conviction, be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding $500, or by Imprisonment of not
more than six months, or both.


Mr.. Wright moved the pending reSOlu-
tiOn be laid aside informally, and the Sen
ate proceed to the consideration of House
bill to abolish the Office of Deputy Com
missioner of Internal Revenue.


Mr.. Logan objected.


Mr.. Bayard hoped no vote would be taken
on the financial resolution to-day. He with
other gentlemen desired TO speak, but were
not ready to 90 on to-day.


Mr.. Sherman said, while he was anxious
to get vote of the Senate on the resolu-
tiOn as soon as possible, lie had no desire
to cut off any debate. As the gentleman
from Indiana (SIcrton) would bring up his
privileged question, Che Louisiana case)
Monday, he (Sherman) moved that the
further consideration of the financial resO-
luton be postponed until Tuesday next.


II was so ordered.


On motion Of Mr.. Allison it was agreed
when the Senate adjourn to-day it be till
Monday next.
After discussion in which it was cOnced-
ell the work should be finished and the tow
boat monopoly abolished and the uncOnsti-
of pending measures urged, the
bill was recOmmitted to the Committee on
Commerce.


The Financial Question.


The regular order being the resolution re-
ported by the Finance Committee it was
called up. Mr.. Stewart spoke of the evils of
a deprecated currency and advocated free
banking on a gold basis. The issue of any
more currency, he cOntended, would be an
evil, no matter how mach should be is
sued. fifty millions or a hundred millions.
We would get in debt once more and an
other crash would follow. Let 4 step be
taken toward specie payment in time of
peace and prosperity. Congress ought not
to encourage any speculation by dealing
out more money. He though we would
stand the effort towards return TO specie
payment now. But if a step be taken
backwards. it couldn't be retraced.


The Louisville Canal.


III bill ~ pay illt boilNS vi tilC 11outS-
vile and Portland canal was taken up and
passed. 1t provides that the appropriation
of March ,, 1873, be continued in full force
and made applicable to the payment of tire
debts of said canal and so much as may be
necessary shall be applied to the payment
OF interest as it accrues and the principal
of the Outstanding bonds Of the company as
they mature; provided, however, that the
Secretary of the Treasury NAV purchase
and pay for any of said bonds at their mar
ket price, not above par, whenever he
deems it for the interest of the United
States. The bill further authorizes the
Secretary of the Treasury to take possession
of said canal and all property, real and per-
sonal. of said company within thirty days
from the passage of the act as the property
of the United States, subject, however, to
the mortgage or lien on said property in
favor of the trustees under said mortgage
and the holders of the bonds issued under
il. The Secretary is authorized to pay the
directors for the stock held by them, and
TO cause a full examination Of all the
receipts and disbursements of the company
to be made and to collect, and if necessary
sue for any money due to or held for the
company by the directors or trustees under