Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-11
FORTY SECOND CONGRESS
This Afternoons Proceedings.
MONDAY, December 4


SENATE.-Mr. Sumner asked to be excused
from service as chairman OF the Committee on
Elections and Privileges, and he was excused
unanimously.
Mr.. Sumner presented FIVE petitions from cit-
zens OF Boston, asking the abolition OF the duty
en- salt.
Also, petition from cOlored citizens OF Rhode
Island, asking the passage OF his supplementary
Civil Rights bill.
Messrs. Patterson and Edmunds also present
ed petitions in favor OF free salt.
Numerous petitions were presented of station
ers and envelope manufacturers, petitioning
by the government.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
Mr.. Robertson, from the Committee on Disa-
blilties, reported back formally the House gene
raj amnesty bill.
REDUCTION OF INTERNAL TAXES.
Mr.. Sumner introduced his bill to reduce in
ternai taxes and abolish the Office of Cemmis-
sioner OF Internal Revenue. 1t proposes to
make the tax on spirits 20 cents a gallon; no
other tax TO be imposed.
MIR. Sherman inquired what was the use of in
in view OF the position taken by the House of
Representatives that all bills in reference TO the
revenue shall originate IN that body. This bill
proposes to tax the revenue, and hence he
doubted the prOprety OF its introduction.
Mr.. Sumner said his object was TO reduce tax-
alton, and he very much dstrusted that the Sen
the burdens of the people.
Mr.. Sherman did not want to inaugurate any
controversy with the House on this subject.
The House, it will be remembered, took such
ground on the income tax bin as to show that
they will not recede from their position. Ozone
thing he was certain, that the Senate could not
nhder cover OF bill to reduce taxation, raise
the tax on whisky to 50 cents gallon.
Mr.. Sumner did not propose TO raise the tax
On whisky. He was informed that the actua'
tax was abo1t so cents gallon. There was the
barrel tax, the tax on the wholesale and on the
retail dealer, and lastly the capacity tax. He
proposed merely to do away with all these and
make the tax specifically so cents gallon. He
thought this objection was premature, and that
ii would better come in q report from the COM
mittee. He stood here as the representative OF
his constituents.
Mr.. Thurman alluded to the compromise tariff
bill introduced by Mr.. Clay and passed by both
Houses, and hoped that his colleague (Mr
Shermanl would make no objection to this bill
being referred.
The bill was then referred to the Committee
on Finance.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced bill for the appraise
ment and sale of the Kansas Indian lands in
Kansas. Referred to the Committee OH Indian
Affairs.
Mr.. Nye introduced a bill to provide for the
irrigation OF the Bear River Valley, in Utah
Territory. Referred to Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr.. Morton submitted a concurrent resolution
ior adjournment sine die OF the two Houses Oh
the Sd Monday of May, 1872, which he asked lie
over until tomorrow.
MIR. Logan introduced joint resolution legal
izing the issue Of food. clothing and rations by
the Secretary of the War to the sufferers by fire
at Chicago Laid on the table and ordered to
be printed
MIR. Conklng asked to take up his resolution
instructiDg the Committee on Military Affair
to inquire Into the facts attending
THE HODGE DEFALCATIoN,
and to report whether similar defalcations
cannot be prevented hereafter.
Mr.. Trumbull suggested i'm lieu to take M hi,
resolution proposing a special committee on re-
trenchment and civil service reform. The soon
OF his resolution was much broader and wouIt
matter a in fba hos IL,
ton.
Some further discussion ensued, when Mr.
Trumbull explained that his proposition was t.
revise the Joint Committee on Retrenchment
Mr.. Schurz said he had been q member of the
Retrenchment Committee, and that committee
had always considered 1t to be its business to in
vestigate all cases of fraud and corruption ans
ing in the service Of the government.
Mr. Thurman suggested that Mr.. COnkling's
resolution be allowed TO be taken up. and that
Mr.. Trumbull could offer his resolution as a
Mr.. Conkling's resolution was Accord nc,y
taken up. when Mr.. Trumbull submitted his a.
a substitute.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
the call Of states for bills and Joint resolution
for reference only, the following were intro
duced and referred TO the committees named.
By Mr.. Peters (Me.)-Bill to amend the act
Tor removal OF causes from state courts, approved
July, 1856. Judiciary.
Also, bill to regulate the compensation OF criers
in U. ). courts. Judiciary.
Also, bill to amend the rules, providing thai
bills introduced by unanimous consent NAV moi
be brought back by motions to reconsider
BY Mr.. Lynch (Me.(-Bm authorizing the
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue to remit and
ray back taxes assessed and collected on vessels
BY Mr.. Poland (vt)-Bin making appropria-
tons for defraying the expenses OF the Select
Committee on Southern Outrages. Appropria-
tons.
Also, bill to regulate actions in the Court
OF Claims by loyal owners, under the act OF
March 3, 1868. judiciary.
BY Mr.. Banks Mass. Bill making appropri-
alton fer the payment Of expenses incurred
under the treaty of Washington by the arbitra
tors to the Geneva conference; also, bill to carry
into effect the treaty of Sth May, 49, l. in relation
to the fisheries; also, bill to give effect to tn,
American and British claims commission: also
bill TO carry into effect laws prohibiting ths
ownership OF slaves by American citizens abroad
All OF which were referred to Committee OF
Foreign Affairs.
BY Mr.. Wheeler N. Y.)-Bin in relation TO
the Central Pacific railroad: Pacific Railroad.
BY Mr.. Cox (N. Yl-Bill granting general
amnesty without exceptions. Judiciary.
BY Mr.. Hazleton IN. j. Joint resolution
making appropriation for the erection Of life
saving stations on the coast OF New Jersey Ap
preparations.
BY Mr.. Mercur iPa.)-Bill to repeal all laws
nue. cases. Ways and Means.
BY Mr.; killinger PA. )-Bill 10 promote uni
form military system IN the United States. Rail-
ways and canals.
By Mr.. Griffith (Pa.)-Bin to grant bounties
in land to honorably- discharged soldiers OF the
late war. Military Affairs.
By MIR. Storm (fa)-Bill to prevent the en-
listment in the army Of persons under p year.
Of age. Military Affairs.
By Mr.. Archer (Md. )HBill to regulate pen-
sons Of the seamen in the navy and soldiers i'm
the marine corps. Pensions.
By Mr.. Morgan (Ohio)-Bll rroposinp an
. anne ndment to the Constitution OF the United
States, 50 as to make naturalized citizens eligi-
Die to the offices Of President and Vice Pres
dent OF the United States. judiciary
BY Mr.. WhittOrne (Tenn.)- to so amend
the pension act OF February IL, 1871, granting
pensions to soldiers Of 1872, 50 as to extend the
same to all soldiers of said war; and the WIDOW
Of the same. Revolutionary Pensions and Wa,
Of 1912. we"
By Mr. Kerr lind -Bill to amend the &C,
granting pensions to soldiers OF 1872 so as 10 ex
tend the same to soldiers who served under Gen
eral Harrison in Indians wars in the NorthVest
Revolutionary Pensions.
By Mr.. Shanks lind. I-Bil to establish a
Bureau Of Labor, and to appoint Commissioner
therefor. Education and Labor.
By Mr.. Snapp III. )-Bill 10 connect the water
OF the Mississippi river and of Lake Michigan BIZ
ship canal. Commerce,
By NJ. Stoughton Mich -Bill b eoua,iz
tne L0nnties Of soldiers. Military Affairs.
by III. Cotton (Iowa)- Bill in relation to lette,
carriers. Post O6cee Nsss'
By Mr.. Hereford wv Va ,-Rfu "a $500