The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL ITEMS.

NtntIdl i1N-Nhc biiii w" o''''' WV
Senate judiciary Committee, authoriz-
ing the Government to grant charter
for building a railroad from New York
to Chicago, is being urged forward so as
to get a speedy report upon it. This re-
port is anxiously looked for, as it will
settle the important question as to the
rights of the General Government to
grant a charter to road running
through States. General Logan did not
introduce his bill merely to arrive at
settlement of this question, but to secure
the passage of the bill and get the road
built. He claims that if successful it
will contribute largely to settle the vexed
problem of cheap freights, as similar
roads would certainly spring up, and
competition would undoubtedly reduce
freight charges.
Mr.. Beck commends in terms Of
praise the Administration, for its excel
lent management Of the Nirginius
troubles.
Vice-President Wilson, in consequence
of ill-health, will spend the winter in
Florida.
There is bill pending before the
House which authorizes public docu-
ments to be sent free through the mails,
and the free exchange Of papers, and the
free delivery of newspapers in counties
wherein they are published.
Hon. NJ J. Durham, of this district,
has introduced bill to allow the pro-
ducers Of tobacco to sell tobacco pro-
duced by them at retail directly to Gus
toners. The bill has passed the second
reading and referred to the Committee
10 ways and means.
Hon. A. II. Stephens, of Ga, and
Hon. Ed. Grassland, of Ky, made
speeches in the House a few days ago on
the bill to repeal the salary bill. Mr..
Grassland sat through the last Congress
and was not once heard, but on this &C.
casion he gave the House a taste Of his
quality. He opposed the bill and said;
81 could not return it (the increased
pay if | would, and so help me God, j
would not if | could" Mr.. Stephens is
also opposed to the repeal of the law,
and said that one Of the worst acts Of the
last Congress was the repeal of the frank
ing privilege,
A very interesting discussion was held
in the House on Monday last, upon the
subject of Secretary Richardson's appli-
cation for s42, O0O,O0 of additional tax
alton. Mr.. Richardson recommended in
ais letter to the Committee on Ways and
Means, the taxation of tea and coffee,
md an additional tax on spirits, tobacco,
gas, railway and steamboat receipts, ex-
press AID insurance companies. He stat
ID that the public debt was increased by
demands which could not be avoided,
Turing the month of November, to the |
extent of 50, 600, 900, and it is apparent
hat it will be still further increased dur
ng the carrcnt month by many millions.
Il is ''more revenue or the public credit
cannot be maintained" A temporary |
oan on bonds bearing a low rate Of in
.erest in currency and redeamable in
United States notes will be urged by
Judge Kelly, as preferable to taxing the
people during the paralysis of the in
lustries of the country.
A number of bills are introduced ev-
FRY day touching the financial question,
and many new and novel plans proposed
Tor the relief of the country. The prob
EN- remains as yet without satisfactory
.Olution.