Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-03
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
w June 9.

WASHINGTON, June =.
SENATE. The bill for the abolition of the
Franking privilege come up, and Mr.. Pome-
roys motion placing it at tire foot of the
calendar being rejected, % to 81, Mr.. Harlan
argued Tia it be laid aside and the Indian
Appropriation bill be taken up, remarking
that everybody knew that the Franking bill
would pass.
Mr.. Sumner also desired further time be-
fore the bill was acted upon, in order to ad
dress the Senate upon his proposed substitute
tor the bill. He unwilling to see the
ranking system cut down without suitable
equivalent.
Mr.. Ramsey thought the apprehension of
the New York Tribune, that the bill was in
danger from its friends, was verified in the
case Of the senator from Mass. (Mr. Sum
ncr). That senator had introduced his sub
stitutc six weeks ago, and yet he was not
prepared to go on with the bill.
Mr.. Howe thought it manifest that the bill
had not friends enough in the Senate to hurt
anything.
Mr.. Pomeroy moved that the bill be passed
over. Agreed to, 80 to 2G.
Mr.. Morrill, of Me-, Chairman of Commit
tee on Appropriations, made statement upon
Indian affairs, to show the cost of military
and civil service on the frontier.
Mr.. Morrill, reviewed at length the policy
Of the government toward the Indians. alleg-
ing that we had repeatedly broken treaties
with them, and condemning in sewers terms
the Chivington and Pigeon Hill massacre.
He did not censure Sheridan personally, but
denounced the system of which he was
willing instrument.
He was followed by Mr.. Steward, who sus-
tanned the policy of combining the Indians to
their reservations and Of allowing the free
and secu settlement of the territories.
Without action on the bill, the Senate went
into executive session, and soon after took a
recess.
At the evening session the bill was resumed
and several amendments agreed to.
Adjourned.
HousE. The House resumed the bill to re-
duce the external taxes, the question being on
abolition of the income tax which was favored
by O'Neill, and opposed by McCrary.
The discussion on the question continued
at great length, each speaker being allow ed
five minutes.
Messrs. Benton, Hoffman, Wilson, Town
send, Woodward, Ingersoll, and Pomeroy.
favored the continuance of the tax, as fair
and equitable. and not burdensome on the
people or the industry of the country.
Messrs. Kelley, Myers, O'Neill, Roots,
W Gods Sargent. Davis, Potter, Banks and
otners, spoke on the uncOhul0OnaI repeal OF
the tax, advocating it as a measure of policy,
equity and justice, and on substantially the
same reasons as heretofore stated.
Messrs. Atwood, Moore, Hale and Farms
worth favored an increase of the exemption to
81 600, and the reduction of the rate TO three
per cent.
\ large number of amendments were Of
fered, including those of Mr.. Brooks of
Mass, striking out the provision requiring a
man to account for the income Of his minor
children and by Mr.. Hoar of Mass, pro-
hibitng the publication of incomes.
Mr.. Schenck closed the debate in favor of
retaining the tax.
No action was taken on the bill. and it will
be voted upon by sections tomorrow.
The House then adjourned.