Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-12-19
WHAT THEY DO AT WASHINGTON.

WHAT THEY DO AT WASHINGTON.
The WATER LINE-REPEAL OF THE
BANKRUPT LAW BY THE HOUsE-RE-
PORT ON THE SALARY GRAB--INCREAsE
OF Acknowledgement NEWS.
&C., &C., &c.
In the Senate the most important thing they
have done this week is to elect Carpenter
President pro tenn In the House as will be
seen below the action has been much more
important
THE WATER LINE PRoBLEM-JUDGE
HARRIS ON THE VIRGINIA CANAL.
A meeting of about 60 congressman was
held on the night of the 18th inst, to con-
slider the question Of cheap transportation.
The spirit of the meeting seemed to be that
if necessary combination Of Southern
and Western members would be made to
carry the water line question. The speak
ers were from those sections.
Hon John T. Harris, of Virginia, spoke
of the James river and Kanawha canal as
short and feasible water route between the
Ohio and the James. The channel was
constructed and in operation from Rich
mond to Buchanan, at the foot OF the
mountains. 1t was perhaps known that
this route had been surveyed by Govern
ment engineers, and estimated to cost,
when completed it's entire length, from
forty to fifty Millions. This estimate is
based upon channel of sufficient capacity
to admit of navigation by steam propellers,
and would involve an enlargement of the
present canal and the locks throughout it's
entire length. 1t was estimated that it
would cheaper freight thirty cents per
bushels. He had often noticed the con-
trast between railway and canal transpor-
tation. 1t was beautifully illustrated up
on the upper Potomac, where could be seen
train on the one side costing one
thousand dollars, transporting by rail
no more freight than was being toWed
along the canal on the opposite side OF the tn
river by a single mule, which, with the
boat, cost not to exceed one or two thou
sand dollars.
INCREASE OF TAXES.
Secretary Richardson has addressed a
letter to Mr.. Dawes, Chairman of the House
Committee on Ways and Means, setting
/ forth that the revenues of the Government
are not sufficient to meet the demands
| made upon it, and requesting that speedy
legislation be had to place at his disposal
the additional sum of forty-two million
dollars. To meet these demands he re-
| conmends the restoration of the duty on
tea and. coffee (which will yield about
| sc, OOO, OOO) and an increase of ten cts, per
gallon on the tax imposed on whiskey,
| four cts per pound on tobacco, and the
re-enactment of the law taxing the gross
receipts of railroad companies, express
companies, &C. If this should not be SUI
| ficient to meet the contingency, he recon-
mends the restoration of taxes included in
schedule B of the Revenue law.
THE REPEAL OF THF BANKRUPT Law
| THE SALARY GRAB.
The House on Monday passed an act re-
pealing the Bankrupt law, Ayes 22O, Nays
44-Messrs. Sener, Smith and Stowell, OF
Va, voting in the negative. After the
repeating clause the bill provides
Sec. 2. That all suits and proceedings
now pending in the courts Of the United
| States, wherein an adjudication for bank.
ruptcy has been made, shall be proceeded
with and governed by the provisions OF
| existing laws which are hereby continued
in force only for the purpose OF closing
up suits and proceedings now pending
| Provided, that from and after the passage
| of this act the fees, commissions, and
charges of the officers and agents OF the
courts in bankruptcy cases shall be reduced
| to one half the fees. commissions, ano
charges heretofore allowed.
1 Under the Orth instructions the House
special committee on the salary repeal re
ported bill fixing the salaries of Senator:
and Representatives at $500 year, and
actual travelling expenses going and re
l turning from Congress once each session
leaving other salaries untouched. Al
amendment offered by Mr.. Kasson was
adopted yeas 49, nays n, providing to-
the return of back pay received by mem
bers of the Forty-third Congress since
March 4. Pending further action thu
House adjourned. There was good dea
of filibustering.
GENERAL CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
Judge Neeson, of Richmond. Monda.
argued before the House committee OF
elections in favor of the claimants fo1
seats from West Virginia under the Octo
Der election.
Bills have been introduced in the House
for the relief of G. W. c. Huntington. o
Prince William, and Peters and Reeves
| u
time of the Southern Claims Commission
In the United States Senate on Monda,
Mr.. johnson presented the memorial O.
William B. Isaas & Co., of Richmond, Va.
and bill for their relief. This firm at thu
sale of the effects of the Farmers Bank O.
| Virginia purchased the same, which EN-
braced the $4,000 in gold seized by thu
Government in 1865 and covered into thu
Treasury. 1t was referred to the Commit
tee on Claims. .Ol.
Jugde Harris, of Virginia, offered a bill
to abolish the tariff on printing paper
! type, and type-metal Also, a bill to pa.
old soldiers and widows Of the war of 181:
without proof of loyalty.
Senator Johnston, Of Virginia, Wednes
day, to move reconsideration of the VOTE
by which the appointment of A. R. Shep
pared to be Governor of the District Of
Columbia, was confirmed. a
Gen. Wigfall, of Texas, was on the floor
of the House and of the Senate Monday