The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-01-30
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Washington specials state that Mr.. Mon
roes bill to furnish twenty-five million dollars
of additional currency to the West and South,
will be further discussed and acted upon at
future meeting of the Committee ON Banking
and Currency when all the members of the
committee are present.
The bill to refund the cotton tax is at
tracing much attention III Congress, and
thirty-fve members from the eotton-growing
States have signed a memorial stating that
they intend to press the measure at the pre-
sent session. This memorial is accompanied
by resolutions from the Legislature of Ken
tuclSy, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia. Missis-
sippi, Virginia and Texas, and memorials from
the Memphis Chamber of Commerce and the
Union Merchants Exchange of st. Louis, in
favor of refunding the tax. The bill chiefly
favored is one providing for a commission to
be appointed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate, to hear and determine all
claims aud direct payment. There are other
competing propositions, but this is the only
one with a chance to pass The claims capa-
BILE of being proved up are estimated at some
thing less than twenty million dollars, and it
is stated that they are nearly all held by the
original parties.
agreed to the Senate bill appropriating some
thing like 1870, 900 for the relief of Loudon
County Virginia, claimants, whose property,
principally live stock, was taken by order of
General Sheridan sold, and the proceeds con-
veyed into the Treasury. They also agreed
to the bill for the relief of East Tennessee
University, paying $3.50 for property used
and occupied by the United States army.
Bills have been introduced authorizing
the Secretary of War to contract for the
building of several light draft snag boats, for
the Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas rivers.
Senator Sawyer has introduced bill in
the Senate which if it passes, will stir up a
flood of litigation at the expense of the Gen
eral Government. It provides for the extern
sion of tile Jurisdiction of the Southern
Claims Commission. and opens the Court of
Claims to all citizens of foreign Governments
with whom our Government has treaty rela-
tions, and who resided in the Southern States
during the war aud remained strictly neutral,
to present claims for the use OF buildings,
stores and supplies, including ships and YES
sells furnished the Federal authorities, during
the rebellion. A provision Is also made for
appointing special Commissioners by the Court
of Claims to take evidence in every county
aud parish in the South from which cases are
pending in said court.
The decision Of the Postmaster-G General
that mail matter not fully prepaid at the office
Of its mailing had to pay double postage, even
though ene fun rate is prepaid, has met with
such general opposition and ceusure that the
house Committee ON Post-oiiioes toek up the
question for discussion, and decided unani-
mously except one vote, that Mr.. CresweIs
construction Of the law was an improper one
The 70 lowing joint resolution w%s then
agreed TO by the committee;
" RcSolrcd That The true intent and mean
ing OF secfiasIs 15l and 152 Of the act to re-
yisu, consolidate and amend the statute relative
to me Post-ofice Department, approved June
s 1872, are, among other things, that where
one full rate of postage has been prepaid, as
required by law, on the mail matter shall be
forwarded TO its destination, charged with the
unpaid rate, to be collected ON delivery, and
that no double rate Of postage shall be col
leoted where such partial payment has been
made" The Postmaster General was before
the committee in consultation ON the general
subject Of his department, aud it is probable
that he will modify his order before the reso-
luton is presented. Il may possibly go to the
Acknowledgement for his decision. The ques-
/ ton Of the reduction Of letter postage to two
/ cents for each half ounce, was discussed 10y
the committee at some length, and seems Il
/ be favorably regarded The Postmaster
/ General is alss understood to favor it. L
| seems probable the committee viii agree TO th'
! proposition for the prepayment Of newspape
postage, in order 70 avoid the transportation
Of large quantities Of newspapers, which ar
q 81 ..a-
A conference Of about forty members o
Congress from the cotton-growing States wa
held last week in order 70 arrange upon com
mon measure for refunding the cotton tax
There are several bills for this purpose no