The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-12-24
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWK-EYE
xxxvIIIsh Consress-2a session

BURLINGTON WE
xXXvIIIth Congress-2d session
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.--HoUsE.-Mr
WORTHINGTON, the Member from Ne
Ivada, was qualified and took4hi seat.
Mr.. KASSON introduced bill levying'
duty on tobacco and its manufactures
which was referred to the Committee OF
= Ways and Means.
The House took up the pending resolu
! ton calling on the Secretary Of War {,
general exchange Of prisoners.
u A debate ensued in which the subject o
retaliation Of the same treatment on rebe
prisoners as the rebels bestow on ours VA
discussed ct some length.
j Mr.. SCHENCK said the Committee OF
Military Affairs were gathering informa
ton on the subject of the barbarous treat
ment Of our prisoners, and expected sool
to report. Finally the House adopted
resolution, that it not Incompatible will
the public interests, all COMMUNICATIONS il
regard to the exchange of prisoners, no
heretofore published be communicated t
the House by the Secretary of War.
The House then proceeded to the consid
GRAFTON of the bill to supply over ninety
million dollars Of deficiency in the appro
priations for the present fiscal year.
During brief discussion on the apprc
priations for printing paper for the Gov
printing Bureau,
Mr.. RICE, Of Mass, said there was n,
evidence to show that paper manufactures.
have combined to advance the price Of pa.
per. He had heard it charged, but he haG
never got at the substantial fact. One rea.
son for the high price was the scarcity and
tax OH the raw article.
| Mr.. WASHBU RN +. said the duty on pa.
per is prOhibitOrv. He had understood
from the best authority that there is a com.
bination OF paper makers who control the
whole matter, and who hsve brought up
prices from 12al5 to 25ac6 cantS pOund.-
That there has been such an advance in
paper, gentlemen could not deny.
Mr.. DAWES said this was the result in
| part Of the tax on the raw material and the
rate Of foreign exchange.
| Mr.. WASHBC RNE, resuming, said he
knew OF u case where ona-half of a paper
mill in Illinois was offered for sale for $l5.-
GOO, because they say it will pay an in
terest of 40 per cent. The tax on paper is
q tax on knowledge, and will destroy ma
ny of the newspapers of the country.
Mr.. MORRILL, asked thegentleman how
high the tariff on paper was!
Mr.. WASIBURNE replied that it was
high enough to prevent any paper from
being imported. He thought it was 70 per
cent, payable in gold.
The committee then rose.
The House passed the deficiency bill,
with slight amendments and adjourned.
SENATE.-Mr. COLLAMER presented
the memorial Of Harper l. Bros, and other
publishers, praying for the modification of
the law in relation to carrying periodicals
in the mails.
Mr.. SHERMAN reported the House bill
taxing whisky, and asked immediate ac-
ton on il. He said the bill proposed to an
ticipate the additional tax by making its
operations commence January LIST, and not
on February LIST. It was objected to. Such
q change of legislation indicated instability
in Congress. It was, in effect, taking
u judgment against manufacturers, and se-
riously interfering with their regular ar
engagements. On the other hand It was as.
serted that the manufacture of the article
would be greatly increased If this bill
should not pass, and that an immense
quantity would be made on which only u
dollar would be paid.
Mr.. MCDOCGALL objected thatit would
interfere with contracts.
Mr.. FAREWELL asserted that the neg
lect to tax whisky had already cost the
country more than enough to pay up the
| army TO date.
On motion ofMr. SUMNER the Senate
/ proceeded to the consideration Of the reso-
luton to repeal the Reciprocity treaty. Mr..
Summer had intended on the consideration
ject, and to exhibit at length the history of
the reciprocity treaty, but after the debate
OF few days ego, and considering the ap.
parent unaninlity in the Senate, l have
felt unwilling 10 occupy the time with pro-
tracted remarks. They are not needed
The people of the United States have been
uneasy under the reciprocity treaty for
several years-l may almost say from its
date. There was a feeling that it was more
advantageous to Canada. This feeling, Of
tate. has ripened into conviction, at the
same time the exigencies of the present
war requiring so large an expenditure,
make 1t unreasonable for us to countenance
treaty by which the resources ofthe coun-
try unquestionably suffer.
It is such considerations a. these which
have brought the public mind to its pres
ent position. The unaniable feeling man
ifested towards us by the people OF Canada
has had little influence in the question. un-
less, perhaps, they may have compelled US
TO look nt It In the light of reason rather
than of sentiment.
The question OF fisheries is included in
this treaty. Some arrangements either BY
legislation or by further negotiation can
De made of this matter, 80 far as it may be
needed. Hss Z. -
The committee, after careful considera-
ton at fun meeting, was unanimous in
It's repeal, and the committee represents
aii parts Of the country-all the sentiments
OF the Senate. I have thought that per-
haps there might be y similar unaninity
among the Senators, therefore forbear all
further remark and ask for vote.
MIR. HALE expressed himself opposed
to the repeal OF the treaty, and asked for
the pOstponeinent of the resolution to the
9th OF January next, that he might have
an opportunity to address the senate on
the subject.
Aessrs. Trunbu.l, Davis, Foster, Con-
ness aud Foote, while in favor of the resp
luton, were also In favor Gifts postp
| tnenf, inasmuch as Mr.. Hale desired to
speak on the subject.
Mr.. SUMNER said that after the ex-
pianation of MIR. Hale, lie would leave the
subject entirely in his hands. He had sup
posed that Mr.. Hale had already stated
his objections to the proposition, in his re-
marks few days ago, but if such was not
the case, he was perfectly willing that the
D{lStnO10mQnt Ahnu1N fo v,fu O. L.