The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-17
Congressional.

WASHINGTON, December 16-Se11dte.-A
petition from Vermont was presented, ask
ing that national bank stock be exempted
from local taxation.
Mr.. Yates introduced bill for enrolling
the militia of the United States.
Bills were introduced equalzing the ma
tional bank capital among the different
States; to tax national banks and con-
tinuing the officers of the Freedmen's
Bureau; and memorials adverse to re-
ducing Generals Howard and Sickles, were
all referred.
The cotton tax repeal bill was resumed.
Mr.. Morrill, argued adversely to it, con-
testing Commissioner Welles's position.
He offered an amendment to it exempting
from duty cotton imported after April,
1868. He ridiculed tho idea of foreign
competition, and proceeded to show from
statistics that the smallest crops brought
the highest prices.
Mr.. Sherman argued for the repeal on
the ground that it was moved that the
United States had no monopoly in cotton:
He read extracts from army officers and
other northern men at the South, showing
that cotton culture at the South since the
war had resulted in absolute loss, and that
a continuance Of the tax must destroy it..
Mr.. Fessenden opposed immediate &C
ton.
Mr.. Johnson's amendment applying the
exemption to this years crop was amend
cd by making the exemption only applica-
BILE to the stock in the hands of producers,
and that no claim for taxes already paid
shall be entertained by the courts. Mr..
Johnson accepted the first clause of the
amendment, but rejected the second on
the ground that should the tax ultimately
be proven unconstitutional, the claimants
should not be barred.
Mr.. Conkling gave notice of an amend
ment that the repeal should apply only to
the crop of 1865 and here the matter was
postponed.
After Executive session the Senate ad-
journed.
House.-Bills were introduced to amend
the existing laws in the District of Column
bia in regard to schools; to pay bountles
to nom commissioned officers mustered out
as supernumeraries in consolidating regl'
ments: to abolish the bonded warehouse
system.
The Committee of Ways and Means was
directed to inquire into the expedency O
making legal tenders receivable for Gus
toms to the extent Of FIVE per cent, and t
repeal the legal tender acts bearing OF
contracts.
Mr.. Benjamin, of Missouri, offered some
resolutions declaring that the House
will never take q step backward IN tn
cause of equal rights that the success 81
far of the reconstruction acts assures tn
restoration of the rebel States on loya
basis, and there is, therefore: no necesslt.
for the repeal Of those acts.
The resolutions passed under the opera
tons of the previous question by strlc
party vote-Ayes, Ill nays, 81.
Mr.. Butler attempted to get the rul
suspended to offer resolution that Uni
ted States bonds calling for gold be paid il
gold and those containing no stipulation b
paid in lawful money (greenbacks).
The House refused to suspend tn
rules-55 to SO.
A communication was received from tn
President stating that no Executive actlo
had been taken in the case of Albe1
Luck, charged with killing negro at Ne7
Orleans.
A communication was received tro1
General Grant withdrawing his letter re
commencing an increase of twenty pc
cent. in the pay Of employees of the Wa
Department.
The House went into Committee of tn
Whole on the Deficiency bill, and ate
killing the extra compensation to Govern
ment employees, passed the bill and &C
journed.
Doooustru elton COuyentiO