Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-27
FOrty-SecOnd Congressional Session
WASHINGTON, D. c March %.
SEN ATE


SENATE
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that il was useless
10 make further efforts about the tariff and
that there was nothing left for him but to call
up and put on its passage the bill from the
house TO remove duties on tea and coffee He
had received numerous appeals from promi-
nent business men to do this, as the present
suspense was ruinouS to all kinds of business
MIR. Scott offered an amendment TO the tariff
bill which piovidCSsthat tea and coffee in bond,
on the first Of July, shall be free; and that du
ties that shall have been paid on tea and coffee
in bond on that day, snail be refunded.
Mr. Robertson introduced bull TO secure uni
iOrmity in the gauge Of the railroads of the
United States; providing that the postmaster
general shall require rs one of the terms of con
tracts with RAILROADS for carrying mails that the
gauge shall be four feet eight and one-half
inches, by the expiration of One-half the dura-
ton of such contracts, subject to reduction of
one-tifti of their pay therefor; and also requir-
ing the department, in making contracts for car
rying through mails, TO discriminate against
railroads that have other gauges; these pro
visions not to apply, however, to narrow gauge
roads, the gauges OF which do not exceed three
! feet SIX inches.
Mr.. Morton, in discussing the tariff bill, said
| he believed we could make tea and coffee free
make the proposed reduction of ten per cent on
articles enumerated in the second section of
the senate tariff bill, and repeal all internal rev
cnue taxes except ON spirits, iermented liquors.
and tobacco, and still pay off $50 900 600 OF the
| public debt next year; and, therefore, he gave
notice that he would offer an amendment leav-
ing tea and coffee Tree, and repeating all laws
| imposing taxes by stamps, except upon spirits
| termcnted liquors, SnuH, and cigars; and all
| laws imposing taxes on gas; the repeal to take
| effect the LIST OF October, 1872.
MIR. Scott said that if Mr. Morton's amend
ment should prevail, he (ScOtO would think it Il
waste of time to consider the house bill further,
and would yield the whole subject again to the
| chair.
The question was then taken ON Mr.. Trum-
| bulls amendment to include salt, and it was re-
| jeccd-yeas 10, nays %
The amendment to include coal was also re-
| jccted-yeas II, nays %.
Mr. Morton offered as an amendment to the
pending house bill, the whole of the tariff bill
| reported from the senate finance eommtIee eX-
| ccpt the provisions relating to tea and coffee
Mr. Scott appealed to him TO Withdraw the
| amendment, but he declined
The amendment was then rejected-yeas q,
nays 90.
Mr. Morton then offered the amendment OF
which he had given notice.
MIR. Morrill, of Vermont offered the free list in
the senate bill as a substitute for the Morton
| amendment.
Mr.. Sumner said he would vote for Mr. Nor
| tons amendment, although he regarded it as
| incomplete, because it would leave undISturbed
| the tribe OF internal revenue office holders now
| pu'NSiiha thS GUILTY. / MS Ou9ut lOl 10 Dt
left to the discretion of any body; the bill ought
| to coutaa positive provision OF determination
| against the whole tribe.
Mr.. Morton said that the secretary of the
| treasury had the power to discharge unnecessary
| revenue officers; and it must be left 10 him or
some executive officer to judge how many could
| be spared.
Mr. Morrill's substitute for Morton's amend
ment was adopted-yeas 49, nays 10.
Mr. Wright then moved to add the second sec
| hon OF the finance committees bill reducing du-
| ties 10 per cent. on textile fabrics and manufac-
lures Of iron, steel, earthenware, glassware
leather, and india rubber agreed to-yeas %,
nays II.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that he would to-
morrow offer the tariff bill as reported from the
committee of finance as asubsttute for the pend
ing house bill.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that he would renew
| his amendment for Il reduction of internal taxes.
MIR. Trumbull SAID he would renew the amend.
| ment to make SAT- free.
Several other notices of amendments were
| given, and the senate adjourned
HOUSE.
| After the reading of the journal, the bill to
| locate the depot of the Baltimore and Potomac
railroad was taken up. The friends of the bill
refused TO permit amendments TO be made, and
the opposition then interpOSed diIitury motions
to defeat it. Pending It's consideration a confer
ence report On the bill in relation to the removal
OF causes to United States courts was submitted,
and the conference report was agreed to. but the
opponents OF the railroad bill embraced the OPP
portunity to call the yeas and nays on its CON
sideration for the purpose of consuming as much
time us possible.
After spending the day in voting on motions
to adjourn, alternatcd with motions for a re-
cess, but without coming any nearer to so
luton of the difficulty, Mr.. Hooper, from the
committee on banking and currency presented
tue testimony taken before that committee in
the matter of the failure of national banks,
with resolution thar it is the opinion of the
committee that the successful working of the
currency bureau required a change in the head
of that bureau. The testimony and report were
ordered printed, to be called up for future ac-
ton.
The house, at halfpast four, adjourned