Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-18

1
ploy the weights and measures ofthe metric
sy item, and contains a schedule Of such
weights and measures assimilating these al
present in use in this country to those in
France. The measure OF length are in
meters, one of which is equal to 80 inches
| 37l00 of an inch. The measures of surface
are in square meters or eenters, one hundred
of which are denominated an arc, one hun
drsd of the latter being denominated q
neitar, one of which is equivalent to two
acres and AL 1000 of an acre. The meas
ures ofcapacity are in litres, equal to one
| quart and about one-twentieth Of a quart.
The weights are in grammes, one hundred
| of which are denominated a hectograme,
| equivalent to three ounces and FIVE hundred
| and twenty seven thousandths Of an ounce
| avardupois. IA other words one ounce is
/ equal in quantity to twenty-eight grammes
and thirty-four one hundredths Of q gramIne.
Mr.. KassOn stated that the bill authorizing
the use of the metric system would go into
effect as pernissive measure merely, all
tine trades, arts and individuals who were
willing and desirous to adopt it would do 50
after the passage Ofthe act. It was not com
pulsory at any time. The Committee did
not feel authorized to determine the time
when this system should supercede exclu-
sively the present system of weights and
measures! but it is desired to legalize the
system.
Mr.. NIBLOCK expressed himself perfectly
satisfied with the explanation The bill
was read three times and passed.
Mr.. KASS0N, from the sams Committee,
reported a Joint resolution directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to furnish to
each State, to be delivered to the Governor
thereof, one set ofthe standard weights and
measures of the metric system for the use Of
the States respectively. The joint resolu-
tion was read three times and passed.
Mr.. KASS0N, from the same Committee,
reported bill to authorize the use in the
postoffices of weights of the denomination
of grammes. 1t authorizes the Postmaster
General to furnish to the pOstOfices ex-
changing mails to foreign countries, and TO
such other Offices as he shall deem expe-
dent, postal balances denominated in
grammes of the metric system. Half an
ounce svordupois is deemed equivalent 10
Is grammes, and rates OF postage are to be
applied accordingly. The bill was read
three times and passed.
Mr.. KASS0N, from the same Committee,
reported a joint resolution authorizing the
President to appoint a special Commission
to negotists with foreign governments for
the establishment Of q common unit of
money of identical value in all CONNER
cial countries, adopting the same plan
adopted, and to be submitted to Congress
for approval before carried into effect in
the United States, and the Commissioner to
receive only his actual and proper expenses
incurred in the execution of his duties.
This bill gave rise to some discussion, par
ticipated in by Messrs. Lawrence, kasson
and Banks, the former opposing the bill on
the ground that the duty should be per-
Lo IT L,
Agents abroad, or by one OF the Commits
sioners to the Paris Exhibition of 1867.
Finally the House came TO a vote and the
bill passed by G5 to 3s.
Mr.. JENCKES from the Special Commit
tee on the Bankrupt Law, reported new
Bankrupt bill which he said was the one
originally reported by the Committee and
amended by the House.
Objections being made, the bill alter au
explanation by Mr. Jencbe5 went over Il
the morning of next Tuesday.
The Senate bill amending the act TO pro-
vide for the reports of the decisions of the
United States Supreme Court was passed.
The Senate joint resolution to extend the
time for constructing the frat section of the
Western Pacific railroad was passed.
Mr.. GARFIELD presented the petition OF
the citizens of Utica asking extension ot
the time for State Banks to retire their cir
which was referred to the Com
mittee on Banks. Also petition of the cit
liens of Oneida County, New York, asking
the readjustment of the tariffOn fax, which
was referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
Mr.. LAFLIN presented petition on the
same subject, from the citizens of Jefferson
county, New York.
Mr.. SCHENCK presented the petition Of
i rl...T r
the equalization of bounties.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.
DAWES in the chair, and resumed the con-
sideration of the Tax bill, commencing with
the clause to impose a special tax on auc-
tioneers.
The paragraph in regard to proprietors of
gift enterprises, was amended increasing
the special tax from $50 TO 81 so.
The paragraph in regard to miners gave
rise to considerable debate, Messrs. STE
VEINS, KELLEY, McRURER, BIDWELL,
and HOOPER taking grounds against the
tax and MORRILL,, BLAIR and SCHENCK
defending it. Finally the debate closed on
the paragraph and the Committee was
brought to a vote, which was on the motion
of Mr.. Stevens to strike out the paragraph.
The motion was agreed to, and the para
amended by adding the words sand agents"
by increasing the minimum limitation of
business from $500 to $1,000 per annum, and
by exempting teamsters Bnd draymen who
owned one team or dray.
The following was inserted as a new par
agreph: Grinders Of coffee or spices shall
pay $l0Oj any person who manufacture or
prepare for sale by grinding or other pro-
cess, coffee, spices or mustard, or adulterated
coffee, spices or mustard, or any article or
compound for use in the adulteratiOn of, or
as substitute of coffee, spices or mustard,
shall be regarded as a grinder of coffee or
spices under this act, provided any person
who shall roast coffee for use and sale, shall
be required to pay the special tax herein
imposed upon grinders of coffee or spices
At the close the portion of the bill imposing
a special tax, the following provisO was
added; provided that the payment of any
tax in this tax levied or provided shall not
be held or construed to exempt any person
carrying on the trade, business or profession
herein specified, from any penalty or pun
ishment provided by the laws of any State
for carrying on such profession within such
State, or in any manner to authorize the
commencement or continuation of such
trade, business or profession, contrary to the
laws of such State, or in places prohibited
DY muQlclpdl law nor sQdll lQe payment el
any tax be held or construed to prohibit
or prevent any State from placing duty or
tax for State or other purposes--o
arspb amending Section so OF the present
law was amended by adding the following;
In any port of entry within which Is EN-
braeed more than one collection district,
the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby au-
thorized TO put all bonded warehouses IN
sucb port under the charge OF one Collector
of Internal Revenue, to be by him deslg-
mated, and the Collector so designated shall
have entire charge and control OF all mat
tars connected with such warehouse and the
property stored therein.
No other material amendments were
adopted.
The Committee after disposing of twenty
three pages of the bill rose, when the
SNEAKER presented a message from tho
President of the United States transmitting
| a communication from the Secretary Of
War. and a letter from Lieutenant General
Grant relative to the necessity for the Iegis-
Iation on the subject of the army The
lieutenant Generals letter to the Secretary
Of War was read, after which the message
and letters were referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs and ordered to Df
| printed. l. :--4.t A. .,
Committee to report back the Senate bill
| but the House refused to reconsider tn'
vote referring to the message, so as to enable
him to move 10 refer with instructions.
| The House at 4:30 adjourned.