The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-13
WASHINGTON.
The Color.d Convention.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-At the colored con-
vention last night, the committee on civil rights
submitted report recommending the passage
of Mr.. Summers bill, or its equivalent. The de-
Robert Harlan of Ohio, who advocated the pas
sage of a civil rights bill, but questioned the
propriety of asking for special privileges. The
session was remarkably quiet and orderly.
Treasury Balances.
Tho following are the Treasury balances to-
day:~Currency, 9,708; special deposit OF
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
coin certificates 1871 1858, 400; outstanding legal
tenders, $685. 199,518. FL
ThesSecretnry Of the Treasury Asking for
Additional Taxes.
NEW YORK, Dec ia Washington des-
patch says that the increase of the public debt
this month will be fully as large as the last, in
view of the continued failure of revenues to
meet the expenditures of the government Sec
rotary Richarnon is anxious to have some ad-
ditional taxes authorized by Congress before
the holiday recess. The reenactment of duty on
tea and coffee is urged, to take effect imme-
diately. The Secretary also favOrs an increase
of the tax on whiskey and tobacco.
The House Committee on Postofices held a
meeting this morning, at which the bill pre-
pared by the sub committee with reference to
the delivery of pubic documents through the
mails was adopted. The bill agreed upon in
substance authorizes public documents to be
sent free through the mails, the free exchange
of newspapers and free circulation in the
counties wherein they are published. In distrib-
uting public documents stamp is provided
to be placed in the custody of an
officer of tie House, and to be attached to
every book, pamphlet and document sent from
either branch of Congress. To prevent an abuse
of the power by unauthorized parties it is also
necessary for the name of the member sending
document to be appended to the package.
The committee agreed to report favorably on
the bill looking to the free delivery Of seeds
from the agricultural department
A Lobby.
The following call is signed by over hun
bred members of the House, the under
signed, members of the House of Representa-
tives representing the constituencies inhabiting
the Valley of the Mississippi, who are deep
ly interested in wise and speedy solution Of
meet IN the hall of the House of Representa-
tves. Saturday evening, December 18th, at u
o'clock, to compare views and consult ON that
subject.
Foreign Affairs.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs
having organized to-day proceeded in a body
to pay their respects to SecretarylFish. On
being Intercepted in reference to the ViIginius
matter, the Secretary said: Everything is 60
ing on smoothly and nothing has occurred or is
likely to occur to prevent Spain from carrying
out her promise"
Various Matters.
Anumber of army and navy charges were
made to day. t-l
The Ways and Means Committee to-day gave
a hearing to delegates from New York and New
England, who argued in favor of the repeal of
the present tax in saving bank deposits.
The House Committee of the Judiciary to-
day. by large vote of 6 to 4, agreed to report
bill repeating the bankrupt law with proviso
guarding the pending suits and rights.
The customs receipts for the week ending
Dec 9th are:-New York, S1,310, 163; Boston,
$26O,875; Philadelphia, $179,3OS; Baltimore,
$122,817. rtel