Mr. SHERMAN. I now move to take up and I desire to dispose of Senate bill No. 867. The motion was agreed to; and the hill (S.No.257) to aid in the construction of telegraph lines, and secure to the Government the use of the same for postal, military, and other purposes, was read the 2nd time, and considered as in ComWhole. It proposes to grant to the National Telegraph Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of NewYork, April 16, 1866, the right to construct, maintain, and operate lines of telegraph through and over any portion of the public domain of the U.S., over and along any of the military or post roads of the U.S. which have been or may hereafter be declared such by act of Congress, and over, under, or across the navigable streams or waters of the U.S.; but such lines of telegraph are to be so constructed and maintained as not to obstruct the navigation of such streams and waters, or interfere with the ordinary travel on' such military or post roads. i The corporation is to have the right to take l and use from the public domain the necessary stone, timber, and other materials for its posts, piers, stations, and other neciiful uses in the construction, maintenance, and operation of i these lines of telegraph, and may preemptand use such portion of the unoccupied public do main through which its lines of telegraphmay be located as may be necessary for its stations, GLQsngg. Jllnsilz not exceeding one quarter section for each station. The tele phic communications between the several depts of the Government of the U.S. and, their officers and agents, in their transmission over the lines of the company, are to have priority over all other business, and to be sent at rates to be annually fixed by the PostMGenl. The rights and privilc cs hereby granted are not to be transterred Ihy the company to any other corporation, association, or person, without the consent of Congress; but the U.S. may at any time after the expiration of 5 years from the passage of the act for postal, military, or other purposes pure ase all the telegraph lines, property, an effects of the company at an appraised value, to be as certainc by 5 competent, disinterested persons, 2 of whom are to be selected by the PostMGenl of the U.S., 2 by the company, and one by the 4 so previ ously selected. Nothing contained in the act is to be so construed as to prevent Congress from granting to other telegraph companies such powers and privileges as it confers; and Congress may at. any time alter, amend, or repeal the act.