The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-30
CONGRESSIONAL.


On Saturday the United States Senate
was not in session. The House of Repre-
sentatives met in Committee of the whole,
and devoted the day to speech making.
In the Senate on Monday, Mr.. Morrill,
reported unfavorably on the bill to erect
new public buildings in Philadelphia, but
Withdrew the report on the representation
Of Mr.. Scott that he hoped to obtain diff
ferent action in the House on the BILL
The Philadelphians are anxious TO get
grand postoffice, but Mr.. Morrill, said that,
in his opinion, there would he no more
large appropriations for public buildings
this session. A new land grabbing scheme
was introduced in bill to incorporate
company to build levees on the Mississippi
under a grant Of twenty-five sections of
public lands for each mile constructed
The Tariff bill was postponed. Mr.. Sher-
man suggesting that as soon az possible
the Senate should act on the House bill
repeating the duties on tea and coffee, SO
that business circles might be satisfied
with the concurrent action of the two Hous-
es on the same bill. The Committee on
Commerce reported number of bills, most
ly of local Importance only. which were
passed. In the House of Representatives
a number of bills were introduced, includ-
ing one to authorize the election of Post
masters by the people, and a general Am
nesty bill. As usual on Monday, the Sup
Elementary Civil Rights bill came up, and
was again tillibustered over for Il week by
the Democrats. Mr.. Elliott attempted to
get it up as 4 special order, but the House
refused to adopt the motion. The Senate
bill in relation to bounties and homesteads
to soldiers who served ninety days or more
was passed; also, joint resolution appro-
prlating sec. COO for the erection in Wash
ington Of Il statue to Farragut.
In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr.. Morrill,
introduced a resolution instructing the
Committee on Finance to report an amend
ment 70 the Tax bill providing for the re-
peal ri the tax on illuminating gas, and
for the repeal of ali the stamp taxes except
those on liquors and tobacco. which was
laid over. The House bill repeating the
duties on tea and coffee was taken up, and
an amendment adopted providing that it
shall go into effect July LIST, and that all
duties paid on what is in bond at that date
shall be refunded. Amendments to include
the repeal of the duties on coal and salt
were rejected. Without taking final action
on the House bill the Senate adopted the
free list in its own Tariff bill, and voted to
retain the second section of it. which re-
duces the duties on textile and metallic
fabrics ten per cent. Leaving the whole
question with nothing decided the Senate
adjourned. In the House of Representa-
tives the entire day was spent in filibus-
tering over the bill granting site for the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad depot in
Washington.
In the Senate, on "Wednesday, So, 900
was appropriated for the expenses of the
committee investigating the sales of arms.
A bill was passed authorizing the Secretary
of War to postpone collection of the pur-
chase money for real estate sold by the
United States at Harper's Ferry. The bill
to repeal the duty on tea and coffee was
then taken up,and the general tariff amend
ments which were adopted on the day pre-
vious in committee of the whole were
agreed to. Crude antimony was struck
from the free list. An amendment to put
salt on the free list was debated until adj
journment. In the House the report of a
conference committee on the printing of
congressional debates was received and
concurred in. Mr.. Archer, of Maryland,
was appointed in place of Mr.. Voorhees,, of
| Indiana, who declined to serve on the spe-
cial committee appointed to investigate the
management Of the Navy Department.
| The entire session was consumed in fillibus-
terng over the bill to give the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad Company depot
on Pennsylvania avenue Washington city.
The Senate on Thursday, tackled on
| to the House bill repeating the duties on
| tea and coffee its own Tariff bill, and also
an amendment by Mr. Scott providing for
the repeal of the tax on Illuminating gas,
the income tax. and all stamp taxes except
| those on distilled spirits, fermented liquors
snuff, tobacco. and cigars: the whole to
take effect OIL the first of July. The Sem
| ate has thus disposed of tariff matters for
| the present AS far is it is concerned, and
sends the bill to the House, the WAYS and
! Means Committee of which now have an
other bill under consideration. Free tea
and coffee may now be regarded as assured,
and the Senate bill also reduces the tariff
on textile and metallic fabrics ten per cent,
besides calling for the large abatement of
| internal taxation embraced in Mr. SCOTS
amendment. In the House of Representa-
| tiveS yesterday the fight On the Baltimore
and Potomac Depot bill was renewed and
continued unavailngly during the session.
Amendments granting certain privileges to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and COM
| pelling the Potomac to pay for their depot
! site were offered, but were not allowed to
come under consideration. The Chicago
| Relief bill was passed with an amendment
eXempting lumber from the list of articles
allowed to be imported free for use in the
city. The Steamboat bill was taken up
| and some progress made with it before the
! adjournment. Both Houses have adionrn-
Ell until Monday.