Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-11
FORTY SECOND CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, March 10.

HOUSE.
A resolution authorizing select commit
tee of five on the Mississippi levees to sit
during the recess, the Government to incur
no expense for its services, was adopted.
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, introduced defcen-
cy bill appropriating $l4l,555, and proceeded
to explain how it became necessary.
After debate an amendment adding S25 900
for the post Office building in Omaha, New,
was adopted and the bill passed.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the bill to repeal duty on coal
and salt.
Having agreed 90 to 50 to limit the discus
sion to 40 minutes, Blair of Miss, offered an
amendment reducing the duty on salt to 10
cents per 100 lbs. in bulk, and 10 per 100 lbs.
in sacks. He said his opposition to the bill
was based upon his unwillingness to 60 into
a general question of the tariff at this time.
Mr.. DUEL opposed the reduction of duty
on salt, stating in the course of his remarks
that the Onondaga Salt Co., in which he had
no personal interest, had lost money for the
past two years. In 1869, it lost more than
Sl2, 900, and in 1870, more than 1924, 900. II
salt was placed on the free list the Onandaga
company, which give employment to more
than 1900 persons, whose interests were
identified with large portion of the country
would have to stop business.
MI GdTUtku Oh OnlO sustained the DILL and
said that the basis of the argument of taking
the duty from coal and salt would imply or
induce an entire new tariff act.
Mr.. Burdett of Mo-, said that he steadily
testified in favor of reduction on salt, and
had no disposition to change his vote, but
most earnestly deprecated the movement now
made in that direction and the particular
method in which it had been made
The time for debate having expired the
amendment placing lumber and wood, and all
kinds OF tea, COTE, potatoes and hurting on
the free list, and to reduce the tax on apple
and peach brandy to IS cents per gallon were
agreed to, and those to make the internal tax
on manufactured tobacco Is cents per pound,
and put barley and malt on the free list were
| rejected. Many of the opponents to the orig
| inal bill sustained the amendments hoping
| thus to load it down and defeat it.
Mr.. Kelley of Penn, offered as an amend
| nent TO the whole of the present tariff law.
the reading of which would have occupied
| several hours.
After the clerk had been reading for some
| minutes a motion for the committee to rise
was agreed to.
The Speaker appointed on Committee of
Elections Messrs. Epson and Hazleton, in
stead of Messrs. Stevenson and FInklenburg,
excused.
Mr.. Dawes introduced deficiency bill for
deficiency of $4,000 in the contingent fund
of the House, which arose from the fact that
since the last appropriation of $4,000 for
that fund made about ten days ago, an ad-
ditional sum CT $1,000 had been paid out
under the resolutions of the House to con-
testants for seats, making the gross sum of
Sll4,374 paid from time to time during the
last Congress to persons whom the House de-
cided had no right to a dollar of it, The
pf no al
difference in the value of gold and paper
money on the amount stipulated iii the treaty.
SENATE.
In the absence of the Vice President on
motion of Mr.. Sumner, Mr. Anthony was
unanimously chosen President pro tenn. of the
Senate, and the Secretary was ordered to
communicate the fact to the President of the
United States and the House of Representa-
tives.
An adjournment until Monday was defeated
by tie vote-2S to 2S.
Mr.. Howe then asked unanimous consent
of the Senate to proceed to the election of the
standing committees on the Senate.
Mr.. Wilson objected.
The chair (Mr. Anthony ruled that as the
motion related to the organization of the Sem
ate, it was question of privilege, and there
fore did not require the unanimous consent of
Mr.. Howe moved to proceed to the election
of the committees which was agreed to.
Mr.. Howe then moved to suspend the 35th
rule of the Senate, requiring the election of
the standing committees to be by ballot.
Mr.. Wilson objected.
Mr.. Howe said that the usual method of
| electing commissioners was by the suspension
of the rule, bot any member had right to in
| sist that the election should be by BALLOT,
though that would subject the Senate to the
trouble of preparing ballots.
Mr.. Sherman remarked that ballot must be
taken if any member insisted upon it.
Mr.. Howe then moved that the Senate pro-
coed to elect by ballot chairman of the COM
mittee of finance, whereupon Mr.. Wilson
withdrew his motion and submitted resolu-
ton with list of the standing committees
determined upon by the republican caucus.
The vacancy for democrat upon the Com
mittee on Manufactures was filled by Mr..
Blair, and Mr.. Davis was assigned to the
committee on agriculture, revolutionary
claims and engrossed bills
Mr.. Schurz moved to postpone further con-
| sideration of the committees until to-mor-
row.
| Mr.. Sumner,-Before that motion is put
wish my friend Schurz would allow me to
make another motion on the nature of the