The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-03-18
XLth O0NGREss-seoond Session.
SENATE.

XLth O0NGREss-second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March 17-Mr Ramsey, from
the Committee on Commerce, reported with
amendments, the bill to establish an Assay
Office in Idaho
Mr.. Chandler introduced a bill to amend
section of the act to prevent frauds upon the
revenue, approved March 3, 1863 Referred to
Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Williams introduced bill to provide for
temporary government Of the territory of
Alaska. Referred to Committee ON Terrific
ries.
Mr.. Drake called up the bill to release GER
tain naval contractors, which, after discussion,
went over at the expiration of the morning
hour.
Mr.. Sherman called up the House bill to ex-
empt certain manufactures from internal tax.
He read from the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury an estimate in regard to internal
revenue justifying, he said, the reduction of
certain amount OF internal tax, there being
surplus of receiDtS over the expenditure of
100000 or $8,000,000 1t was proposed to re-
peal first the taxes on domestic productions.
lie read an estimate of the irreducible ex-
penses of the Govern ment in which he said
he had not included large amount involved
IN the act recently passed giving bounties to
WIDOWS OF deceased soldiers, the committee
having instructed him to report the bill for re-
peal. The total amount for the fiscal year was
$3,517, 133, 1874, which might be reduced from |
$10O00,000 to $30000,000. Mr.. Sherman offer |
ed an amendment as an additional section, |
providing that after the first of April next no |
allowance or drawback be made ON the expor- |
tation of any article of domestic manufacture |
on which there is no inteanal tax, and no |
claim for drawback on any article exported
since June 30th 1866 shall be allowed unless
E presented to the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue within three months from the time
this act takes effect. Agreed to. Also an
amendment as an additional section, providing
that every person or corporation manufacture
ing by hand or machinery, any description of
merchandise not otherwise specifically taxed
or who shall put up for sale under name or
trade mark such articles shall pay So for every
$1,000 worth sold i'll excess OF $4,000 and they
shall return to the Assessor of Internal Reve-
nue. the amount sold in excess of $4,000, on
which the tax shall he assessed and paid
monthly the same as other taxes. Agreed to.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont, offered his amend
ment IN relation to tax on sugar, but the Chair
ruled it out of order at this time
Mr.. Van Wrinkle offered instead of giving
notice of an amendment in relation to the tax
on petroleum.
After discussion, Mr. Van Wrinkles amend
ment was agreed to, % to 90
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont offered an amend
ment providing "that nothing hereing contain
ed shall be construed as the repeal Of any tax
upon machinery or other articles which have
been or may be delivered on contracts made
With the United States prior to the passage of
the act" Mr. Morrill, explained that it would
prevent relief from tax on private parties
who had contracts TO the extent of fifty mil
hJns.
Mr.. Jencks asked to have read and placed
on the journal resolution adopted by the
joint committee on retrenchmeut, expressing
surprise at the document purporting to be
their report on the subject of whiskey frauds,
and inslructing the chairman OF the commit
tee in both Houses to deny that they have au-
thorized any such report. Mr.. Jencks said the
report referred to was made by Mr.. Van
Wycke.
Mr.. Van Wycke not being present no action
was taken on the resolution.
Mr.. Chanler offered p resolution directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to inform the
House by what regulations and in what man
ner frauds are detected and prevented in the
printing and issue of United States postal and
fractional currency. Adopted.
Mr.. Wilson, OF Iowa, asked leave to make
personal explanation in reference to the mat
ter brought before the House by Mr.. BOYER
last Saturday evening", regarding the bill de-
prlvipg the Supreme Court of appellate juris-
diction under the reconstruction laws.
Mr.. Wood objected unless the members on
his side should have the right 10 reply
The House resumed the reconsideration of
the bill reported yesterday by Mr. Bingham
from the Reconstruction Com mittee
Mr.. Bingham. yielding to the expression of
opinion by the House in the discussion yester-
Gay, ulbVeu 10 amend the Dill by inserting the
wolds Constitution and" so as to relieve per-
SONS named from all disabilities imposed by
the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Covode yes
terday, to insert the name of John Gilmer,
was withdrawn.
The amendments offered by Messrs. Farms
worth and Latin, to insert the names of w. B.
Richardson and w. B. Rodman, of North Car
DINA, were rejected
Mr.. Miller suggested to Mr.. Bingham that
lanes hn
ted.
Mr. Bingham-"Oh, no."
Mr.. Logan suggested the name of John D.
Ashmore, of South Carolina.
Mr.. Boutwell, pointed out the objections oc-
curing to him in the bill, suggesting, among
other things, that it should be amended so as
to read that parsons named in 1t should be re-
leved from all disabilities imposed by the act
of March 2, 1867 to provide for the more efic-
lent government of the rebel States, act sup
Elementary thereto, and the amendment to the
Constitution of the United States known as
Article 18th.
Mr.. Maynard suggested that the bill should
be recommitted to the Reconstruction Com
mittee with instructions to report in writing
the grounds on which the removal of disabili-
ties was recommended in each case.
Mr.. Bingham expressed his willingness that
the House should make what disposition it
chose Of the bill except to recommit with su h
instructions. 1t was expected that w. w.
Holden would be the next Governor of North
Carolina, and he could not exercise the func-
tons of that office unless relieved by the laws
OF existing disabilities.
Mr.. Schenck suggested that the bill, having
taken form on what I'll G members were gener-
ally agreed, should be printed and allowed to
lie over Tor three or four weeks, with view of
getting information from the south which
would certainly pour in upon Congress in the
mean time.
Mr. Bingham could not consent to apy such
thing. 1t was reflection on the action of the
committee, as if the committee lad acted
without sufficient evidence. He thought the
House should act directly on the question
Mr.. Schenck modified his motion and moved
that the bill and amendments be recommitted
with instructions to report the same back with
brief statement in each case OF the reasons
of the committee for recommending relief
from disabilities of persons now named In the
bill or whose names the committee may here
after insert.
Mr.. Boutwell, opposed the motion; he hoped
the bill would not be postponed or recommlt-
ted, but that the House should take the re-
sponsiolity OF opposing the bill by two-thlrds
vote.
Mr.. Logan spoke disparagingly of the claims
OF Messrs. Orr, Longstreet and Brown of Geor-
gia to the relief proposed
MT. dawes said he felt reluctance to vote
Tor the Dill IN It's present shape tt came with
out report from the Committee as 70 the rea-
sons why disabilities should be renewed from,
the persons named.
Mr.. Stevens suggested that all the names ba
struck out except Messrs. Holden Lunte
Blackman and Thomas j. Mackey, as bistorv
hal told about them.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, hoped the motion of
Mr.. Schenc5 would not prevail.
Mr.. Farnsworth intimated that Congress
would either have to relieve men as proposed,
or else admit all rebels unfortunately to po-
itical rights if they wished to avoid the great
calamity of having black mans party and
white mans party in the South, and it would