Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-02-14
BY Telegraph.
aEPoRTED FOR THE DAILY EMPIRE
XXXVIlllh Congress I'd Session
WAsHlYeToS, February 10,
HOUSE.

On motion Of Mr.. Schepck, q joint re7ou
ton was adopted appropriating $4,000 tor
contract with William II. Powell to paint
naval picture to be placed at the head Of the
grand staircase Of the Capitol
Mr. Ashley offered resolution instrueting
the Military Committee to inquire into the
condition of refugee negroes in the District
Of Columbia, aud report by bill or otherwise.
! Agreed TO. l
Mr. Dawson offered resolution declaring
that the war has been progressing for four
years with frightful destruction OF lie, and
the imposition Of an enormous public debt
and that members of Congress are bound by
their oatbs and solemn pledges to conduct
the war for the re-establishment OF the just
supremacy OF the laws, therefore,
ReSoloed, That the Pres dent be requested
to use all honorable aud just means to bring
about lasting peace, and the re-establish-
ment of fraternal relations with all the people
on the simple basis Of The Constitution and
lava, and with every proper guarantee to the
Southern States, which shall protect them in
the enjoyment oftheir rights and local insti-
tuions in the mPner the Constitution &c
cures
Mr.. Tbayer moved that the resolution be
laid upon the table. Agreed to, 73 against
AZ.
Mr. Williams offered a series Of vigorous
prosecution" resolutions, which on motion of
Mr. Eldrdge were also tabled by vote of
II to 81
The House went into a Committee on the
Amendatory Revenue Bill ,.
| SENATE.
Mr. Conness called up the bill to establish
a mail steamship line between the United
States and China The Bill pending provides
that the Postmaster General shall have power
to contract with any Company who will ngree
Tor the lowest price to establish line Of
steamships, TO make twelve round trips be-
tween San Francisco and China, per year.
Contract to 60 into effect January lst, 1867.
Bill passed yeas 25, nays IL.
The special order being the report Of the
Conference Committee on the Freedmens
Bureau bill, It was then taken up. The report
was read, but no action was taken.
Mr.. Shermans motion to take up the House
Joint resolutions, reducing the duty on i'm
ported paper, prevailed The question bears
upon the amendment Of the Senate Commit
tee on Finance, TO strike out three and insert
fifteen per cent Mr. Sherman explained that
the present duty on foreign paper was twenty
per cent The amount of tax paid by home
manufacturers amounted to ten per cent. 1t
was manifest to reduce the foreign tax to
three per cent would be unjust 10 home man
ufacturers.
1t was said this three per cent was equal
/ to six per cent, because it was in the gold
valuation 1t was three per cent on $3.50 per
ton Internal tax in this country had to he
paid in currency valuation, which is about 81
per ton. Sherman stated that he was in ia
vor in the committee Of making It ten per
cent, which will create lively competition
between home and foreign manuiacturers-
The Committee had overruled him, however,
many Of the members being opposed to any
change whatever. He believed some change
ought TO be made on the tax. Under the
present rate not one pound had been import
ed. Fifteen per cent. had been adopted as a
compromise in the Committee, but he thought
it would be more just to put it down 10 ten.
The Government, he said, was more interest
ed than any individual in this matter 1t
consumed more paper than any individual
and therefore it was interested in this ques
ton. 1t was proposed by some to allow the
Government TO import free Of duty, but this
would be regarded as invidous.
Mr. Collamer spoke in favor Of maintaining
the present rate of twenty per cent, as an
act Of justice and protection to home manu-
factuIers.
Mr. Wade said he and his colleague, Mr.
Sherman, had been instructed by the Ohio
Legislature to vote for reduction Of the du-
lty. He questioned the right of that body to
instruct him on such subject and believed
the argument in favor OF "a reduction on PAPER
would apply equally as we'll to all other arti-
cles He was opposed to opening American
manufactures to foreign competition, believ-
ing that If this was done the country would be
danriVad n tho man for nauinu ha nalinna
debt.
Mr.. Hale was in favor of indeiirite post
ponement, and to leave the duty at twenty
per cent He stated that in the State of Ohio
last year, there had been 81 sos, ,966 worth Of
paper made, and on this a tax of $54,2G9 had
been paid. This was great and growing in-
crest, and ought to be protected.
Mr.. Sherman hoped the subject would not
be indefinitely postponed, but that it would
be met squarely by a formal vote. He said
paper had not increased in price more than
other articles It has only followed the inva-
riable gold standard The amonnt of paper
manufactured was $1,000, 900 per year in
the United States On this there was col
ecled an internal tax OF ten millions Of dol
lars. II the duty was placed at three per
cent. there would be imported about $43,'
900, 900 worth in gold Of which the govern
ment would receive about 81 25e 900 in reve-
nue.. This would be a loss OF ten millions in
paper money, and 81, $50 600 in gold
The motion to indefinitely postpone was
negatived. Yeas IA, nays 25.
Mr.. Lane, of Indiana offered an amend
ment to strike out fifteen and insert ten per
cent.
After some remarks by Messrs. Lane and
Johnson, Mr. Lanes amendment was rejected
yeas ls, nays %.
The question then reeurred on the amend
ment OF the Finance Committee, TO make ih e