Smyrna times., 1873-12-24


ahalt cents. liberal discount msde 20 semt
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WHAT HAS BEEN DoNE.-We think a short
sprumary of what Congress has been doing
will prove interesting to our readers, inasmuch
as some Of the weightiest measures of the
session have been introduced. We will refer
to each measure under separate head, viz:
The Salary Grd6-This exciting subject
came up in the House on Tuesday of last week,
and some warm discussions were produced.
The special committee on the subject reported
bill fixing the salaries of the Senators and
Representatives at $500 year, and actual
travelling expenses going and returnig from
Congress once each session, leaving other
salaries untouched An amendment offered by
Mr. Kasson was adopted (yeas 172, nays II, }
providing for the return of back pay received
by members of the Forty-third Congress since
March l. Pending further action the House
adjourned. 1t was taken up again on Wednes-
day, and after a warm discussion Mr.. Holman
offered an amendment, which was adopted,
providing that all members of the present
Congress who had received extra compensation
as members CT the last Congress should refund
the amount so received. Mr.. Hurlburt offered
an amendment, as a substitute for the whole
bill, fixing the salary of members of Congress
at $4,000, with an addition of $1,000 for the
Speaker, and making the salary of the Vice
President S8,001 which was passed by Uiva
voce vote. After passing the House in this
shape it went to the Senate, on Thursday. 1t
was merely introduced, however, and referred
to the committee on retrenchmsnt and reform.
Nothing defaite was done with it.
E. The Bankruptcy L1,o Great interest has
been manifested in the repeal of this act. On
Tuesday week, the House passed bill repeal
iHg the law, but providing for closing up pend
ing suits under the existing law at oue-half the
costs heretofore allowed. The vote was yeas
220, nays A. 1t came up in the Senate or
Wednesday,, where it was read and referred tc
the judiciary committee 1t is questionable
whether the Senate will agree to the repeal o
the law. On this point there is much differ
snce Of opinion, many holding that some bank
rupt. act is necessary differing, however il
q essential features from the existing law, amonj
other things so reducing the cost as to enable
poor man to become bankrupt as we'll as
rich one.
4si Fsnaace, EApes, Revenue, &c.-On thes
momentous questions great deal of talk ha
been had. and a number of bills havo bee
Introduced On Monday the bill for th
redemption of the loan of 1858 passed tn
Senate. The bill had previously passed tn
In fha l. Al,
subjects of reduction of expenditures, a
recommended by resolution reported frol
the combined committees on appropriation
and ways aud means, and possibly Of anotbt
tax on tea. coffee, tob4cc and spirits were di
scussed. Finally, in view of the financial en-
barrassment Of the country, the shrinkage
values, and the heavy falling off of governmer
revenues, il was resolved to call upon Il
President to order a revision of the estimat
by the executive departments to the lowe
figure, and report, if possible, on the 5th
January. The House then resolved to take
recess from the 18th inst until January 4tI
To still further lessen the expenses, Mr. Sun
.ner, on Wednesday offered resolution, whiC
was agreed to, instructing the committee
finance to consider the expediency of abolishir
the Office of commissioner of internal revenu
and other Offices under him, ami providing b
law for the collection of all internal taxes
the sale and use Of stamps.
The HOure bill apprOpriating four millo
to the navy, evoked animated debate in {
Senate on Wednesday, but was passed by
large majority with an amendment striking o
the clause conferring the authority on t
President to transfer an appropriation from o
bureau to another
1t will be observed that nothing has be
done, definitely, on any of these measur,
AL OF them have yet to pass one house or I
other.