The Portland daily press., 1871-12-12

| expenditures of the department are justified by
| law, whether claims discharged are supported
| by sufficient vouchers and all moneys dijbursed
IN conformity with appropriations; whether
provisions are necessary to secure the govern
ment from unjust demands, to enforce payment
from public defaulters secure economy in the
department and accountability of its officers
whether unnecessary offices exist, and what re-
auctions or increase of pay would be judicious
economy, and to investigate specially with full
power the recent dsfalcatons.
THE HOLIDAYS.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts,.
the concurrent resolution for adjournment of
Congress from Dec, Dist to Jan. Sth was adopt
ed.
''FERNANDI wUD" AS REFoRMER.
Mr.. Wood of New York, asked leave to offer
a resolution that the Republicans having
large majority in Congress and the, President,
should take measures for the immediate reduc-
ton of direct taxation and import duties to
strictly revenue standard; for the reduction of
the expenses of all the departments; for the
abolition of sinecure officers and the collection
OF revenue by informers and spies; to restore to
tho people of the States all the rights originally
possessed under the constitution to abolish pa
per money and restore specie payment; to re-
duce the army to peace footing and abolish
the employment of military officers in civil du-.
ties; to provide against the retention of large
sums in the Treasury; to prevent the purchase
and sale of the public credit at the option of the
Secretary; to subject the President and Cabinet
TO the authority of law, the same as other cit-
zens; to restore to the Southern States and peo-
pie equal rights with other people of the Union;
can credit; reinaugurate Republican simplicity
In the administration of public affairs and de-
velope the agricultural, mineral, navigation and
commercial interests of the country.
Mr. Dawes thought the resolution should go
to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Wood-sIf the gentleman objects /
would move to suspend the rules"
MIR. Maynard of tennessee, wanted to know if
Mr.. Wood intended to press a vote without de-
bate.
Mr. Wood proposed to have fair, honest
vote and not put it in the power of the gentle
man and his friends to smother the resolution
in committee
Mr. Wood moved suspension of the rules.
!, Mr. Maynard raised the point of order that
the resolution was not pertinent to the legisla-
i've proceedings of the House-that it was not
within our jurisdiction to say what the Repub-
Hcan party ought to do.
The Speaker said the question of propriety
would be settled by the House which negatived
the motion to suspend the rules n to 1885,
Mr. Randall (Dem) of Pennsylvania, said
that the first point of the resolution was heresy
TO pennsylvania, and therefore he and his
Democratic colleagues voted against it, but the
rest was sound Democratic doctrine.
INTERNAL REVENUE BUREAU.
VII IHutiOu VI MI nelly OF pennsylvania, the
Secretary of the Treasury was asked for infor-
nation as to the number of employees in Inter-
nal Revenue Office March LIST, 1869 and Dec. LIST,
1871, what was the number of temporary en-
ployes between these dates, and the total
amount paid each twelve months for salaries,
expenses etc.
Mr. Garfield, of Ohio reported bill appro-
priating $1,000 to supply deficiencies in tax
ing the ninth census. Passed
REAL ESTATE PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Campbell, Dem.) of Ohio, asked leave
to offer concurrent resolution, requesting the
President to cause negotiations with Great
Britain and Mexico, with view to ascertain
the conditions on which they would consent TO
the annexation of their possessions on this con-
tinent to the United States
Mr.. Banks, of Massachusetts, thought that
there would be no objection to its reference to
the foreign affairs committee, but Mr.. Bing-
ham, of Ohio, objected and the resolution was
not received.
The House spent an hour in Committee of
the Whole, Mr.. Bufinton, of Massachusetts,,
in the chair, on the superintendent bill without
any special progress
Mr.. Cox, of New York. asked leave to offer
resolution of inquiry as to the best plan for an
international copyright law or treaty
MIR. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, objected, and
Mr.. Cox moved to suspend rules.
Without vote the House adjourned.