Year: 1876

The communication from the secretary
of the interior, in answer to senate reso-
luton OF the twenty-foursh of January,
reducing the number of employees from
seventy-five to fifty. nine, and express.
ing the opinion that the proposed reduc-
ton in the clerical force of that de.
partment would impair its usefulness,
was ordered printed and laid on the
table.


Senator Davis submitted a resolution
to pay the funeral expenses of the late
Senator Caperton. Agreed to.


The bill to limit and fix the signal
service was amended and passed.


Senator Logan introduced bill for the
coinage of a silver dollar of four and q
half and eighteenth grains Of standard
silver, and providing it be legal tender at
its nominal value, for any amount ex-
cept for customs due and interest on the
public debt. Ordered printed and laid on
the table.


Senator Hamlin gave notice that he
would move to take up the post route
bill as soon as the river and harbor ap-
preparation bill should be disposed Of.


The morning hour having expired, the
Senate resumed the consideration Of the
river and harbOr appropriation bill.


The com mitte0 reported an amend.
ment to strike out the second section of
the bill authorizing the survey OF the
rivers and harbors throughout the coun-
try, and insert in lieu thereof section
appropriating forty thousand dollars for
the incidental repairs OF the harbors, for
which there is no special appropriation
provided by law, and for the examina-
ton and survey of such rivers aud har-
bors as, in the judgment of the secretary
of war, will subserve the general interests
Of commerce. Agreed to.


Senator West submitted an amend.
ment to the clause appropriating one
hundred thousand dollars for the i'm
provement of the mouth of the Missis-
sippi river, SO as to provide that the ap-
prOpriatioRs shall cease to bs available
whenever and SO long as there shall be
ter to and from the sea through the
South pass of the Mississippi river.
Agreed 10.


Senator Conkling submitted an
amendment, providing that it shall not
be lawful for any person or corporation
to use or occupy any pier or breakwater,
or other work OF the United States for
the Improvement Of rivers and harbors,
without the written consent OF the secre-
tary of war, and without compliance with
such conditions as he shall prescribe;
and providing that any person or cOrpo-
ration who shall knowingly violate the
provisions Of the act shall be subject to
impris slnment for period not exceeding
one year, or s. fine not exceeding five
hundred dollars. This provision OF the
bill to take effect October l, 1875.


Senator E imunds offered a resolution
providing that any person who shall un-
lawfully injure any pier, breskwater or
9th work Of the United States for the
improvements of rivers and harbors shall,
on conviction thereof, be punished by a
fine not exceeding one thousand dol
lars.


Senator Thurman submitted a substi.
tute for the amendment OF Senator E l.
munds so as to direct the secretary of
war to report to congress on the first
Monday in d 3cember next what legis-
lation is necessary to protect the piers,
breskwaters and other public works Of
the . nited States against tire spass upon
and injury to the same.


Senator Hamlin moved to amend the
substitute OF Senator Thurman so as to
direct the secretary OF war to report also
all Instances in the United States where
piers, breakwaters or other works OF PUB
lie improvem mt by the United States