Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-17
F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
TUESDAY, March Il.


Of citizens of Illinois, asking a reduction of the
excise on distilled spirits. Referred TO Finance
Committee.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Joint Committee ON
Retrenchment, reported a resolution, adopted
this morning by the Joint Committee on Re-
trenchment, that they have seen with surprise
a report on tia whisky frauds, purporting 10
emanate from that Committee and presented in
the House by member of the Committee; that
the Committee entirely disclaim any author
snip In such report, that they do not consider
themselves authorized TO enter into an investi-
CATION of such subjects, and that the report is
out the individual opinion of the member
who made il.
Mr.. Fessehden, from the Committee on For
fhorizing the Secretary of State to audit certain
claims and direct the payment thereof
~ Mr. morrill,, OF Maine, reported from the
Committee on Appropriations, the Army ap-
preparation bill. with amendments.
Also, bill partly to supply deficiencies in
Indian appropriations, with amendments.
ton one of the act to prevent and punish fraud
Finance.
Mr.. Williams introduced bill to provide
temporary government for the Territory of
Alaska. Referred to Committee on Terrific
ries.
Mr.: Drake called up the bill for the relief of
certain naval contractors, which was discussed
until the expiration of the morning hour when
ii was laid over.
Mr.. Sherman called mp the bill to exempt
Mr.. Sherman was speaking on the DILL as we
went to press.
HOUSE OF EEPREsENrATIvKs-Mr Jenckes
lR y in reference TO the report upon whisky
frauds made last week by Mr.. Van wyck IN
Y.,) asked to have read and placed upon the
journal a resolutian adopted at the meeting of
the Retrenchment Committee this morning as
Resol-ed That the Joint Select Committee ON
Retrenchment, have seen with surprise a docu-
ment purporting TO be report from the COM
mittee on the subject Of frauds upon the reye-
nue. by distillers of whisky and others engaged
in the man ufacture and sale Of whisky, made
by one Of the members Of that committee to the
House Of Representatives on the 18th inst, and
y,y tney hereby instruct the chairman of the
Senate and Mr. Jenckes of the
House OF Representatives to state in their sew.
eral Houses that said document is not the re-
tee thereof that the subject of the in INVESTIGATION
OF frauds in whisky was not referred TO said
committee by the resolution under which thew
were appointed, and has not since been re
ferred to them by any resolution of either
House; that under their general powers
they have not authorized any sub-commit
Tee, nor any one OF their number, TO make
such Investigation; that the subjects embraced
In said so-called report have never been SUBJ
mitted to the committee or any sub-commIttea
thereof for consideration" and that said docu
ment In matter and manner, substance and
conclusion, is the unauthorized work and ACT
OF an individual member of said committee
without the consent, knowledge, or approval
OF any oths r member thereof.
Mr.. Logan (Ill. What committee does that
come from
Mr.; Jenckes.-Joint SelectCommittee on Re-
trenchment.
Mr.. Logan.-What member of the committee
made this unauthorized report!
Mr. Jenckes-The gentleman from New
York, (Mr. Van Wyck.)
Mr.. Logan.-That is all wanted to know
MIR. Latin IN. W objected 10 the rece,tion
OF the report, unless hIs colleague MIR Van
Wyckl was present.
Mr.. Washburn (Ill.) thought the charge was
serious one, and il should not be Considered
till Mr.. Van Wyck returned.
MI Jenckes only wanted the resolution
spread upon the journal. He would call il up
subsequently for consideration.
Mr.. Latin insisted upon his objection and
the resolution was not entertained.
The House resumed the consideration of the
ability from w. w. Holden, James Z. Orr.
Joseph L. Brown, and other gentlemen in the
South.
Mr.. Bingham, (Ohio,) who reported the bill,
said there seemed to be some objection to the
bill because the provisions of the constitutional
amendment were not mentioned. In order to
meet the objection, he would therefore move to
reconsider the vote whereby Mr. Coyode,s
amendment to insert the name of John A. Gil
mer was agreed to.
The motion to reconsider prevailed, and Mr..
Gilmer's name was withdrawn.
Mr.. Bingham then moved to amend the bill
by proyiso removing all penalties and disa-
bilities imposed by the constit ution and laws of
the United States, the amendment being to in
cert the word CONSTITUTION"
Mr.. Boutwell, Mass feared that the effect of
that amendment would be bad, as ii would re-
ieve men of taking the test oath after they had
been elected to Office. He wanted no legisla.
ton that would abrogate the oath.
After lengthy discussion the bill and
amendments were recommitted, on motion Of
Mr.. Schenck.
The House then took up the Freedmen's Blu.
reau bill, and Mr.. Adams (ky) addressed the
House in opposition TO 1t.