Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-27
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON, April &c.
SEASrE. A memorial from the Chicago cit
liens meeting requesting that the half million
Chinese indemnity fund be conveyed into the
Treasury, or used to establish University
at Pekln was, after Mr.. Sumner stated that
the Foreign Committee were considering the
subject, referred to that Committee.
MIR. Sherman, from the Finance Committee,
reported that the Committee were unanimous
ly of the opinion that no change ought to be
made IN the rate of taxation of distilled spir-
its.
Mr.. Wilson reported a substitute for the
House Army bill
Mr.. Anthony reported bill regulating the
public printing, and disseminating the publica-
ton of books and official documents.
Mr.. Wiley offered resolution which was
adopted, directing the Committee on Educa-
ton and Labor to inquire into the expediency
OF dividing the net proceeds of sales of public
lands among the several states for educational
purposes, and otherwise so providing by law
that all the people of the United States may
have an opportunity of acquiring common
school education.
The bill for the survey of the Darien Ship
Canal and Railroad. was referred 10 the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
Adjourned.
HOUSE A call of the roll showed that 40
members were present.
Mr.. Niblack of Indiana, from Committee
on Appropriations, reported that the tortifca-
ton appropriation bill be made the special
order for the 9TH of May next; the bill APP
propriates 81 ,264,750 Among the appro-
prations are the following For sort Preble
Fort George and Fort Scanned, Portland
Harbor, Me-, 5000; Fort Independence,
Boston, So, 1000; Fort Warren, Boston,
100000; Fort Winthrop, Boston, 500 900.
The bill authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to appoint SO special agetns for the
purpose of examining the books, papers and
accounts Of custom officers, was passed.
The bill establishing a department of JUS
tees was reported from the Committee on
Retrenchments and laid over until Tomorrow.
The bill provides that there shall be an ex-
ecutive department of government, of which
the Attorney General shall be at the head,
and to which the Solicitor General and two
assistants, the Attorney General, Solicitors
of the Treasury, Internal Revenue and Navy,
with their assistants, and the Examiner of
Claims of the state department shall be trans
ferred. The salary of the Attorney General
is to be the same the presen; Solicitor
General, $500, and the assistants to the
Attorney General So, 500. No fees are to be
allowed for legal service required of officers
in the department of Justice.
Messrs. Schenck, Dawes and VOORHEES,
were appointed conference committee on
the Income Tax bill.
In Com. of the Whole on the Tariff bill the
duty on iron bars rolled or hammered, COM
prising fiat bars not less than one and half
nor more than four inches wide, nor more
than two inches thick, was fixed at $50 per
ton. The duty on rolled or hammered iron
bars more than two inches thick and also on
those between one and half and four inches
wide and half and three -eighths of an inch
thick. was fixed at S22. 40 per ton, equivalent
TO one cent per pound, which is a reduction of
one quarter of cent per pound from the
amount reported by the Committee
An amendment to levy an additional duty
Of half cent per pound on iron made from
charcoal fuel was rejected, Is to So, and an
other making an additional duty on charcoal
made iron of quarter of a cent per pound,
was rejected, 81 to 60.
House here took recess.
At the evening session the duty on square
rods, ovals. half round iron and wire less
than SIG of an inch in diameter was fixed at
l2 cents per pound and on similar formed
iron over sic of an inch in diameter, IA
cents per pound. The next paragraph on fiat
hoop tube and scroll iron was struck out, and
pending motion to strike out they next went
on with steel and plate iron.
The Committee rose and the House then
adjourned.