Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-18
Congressional Proceedings.
w ashington, II.

j
ecutiye appropriation bill, made report
The bill as agreed upon increases the sala-
ries of several employees of the House. The
present congressional printer remains an Off
Ger of the Senate, but when 4 vacancy oc-
ours it is to be filled by appointment by the
President. The clerical force in the depart
ments, cut down by the House, have been
largely restored. Nevertheless, there is a
reduction of over 100000 as compared with
the bill when reported to the Senate commit
tee on appropriations.
Agreed to.
The senate resumed consideration of the
post office bill.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen submitted an amend
ment to strike out the provision in Mr.. Ste
venson's amendment, allowing the reports to
go free through the mails.
Rejected.
Mr.. Stevenson's amendment was then re-
jected-27 to q.
The bill reported to the senate, with the
| appointments made in committee Of the whole
was then agreed to and the bill passed.
MIR. Scott moved to proceed to the consid-
Grafton of the bill making appropriations for
the payment of the claims allowed by the
Southern Claims Commission.
Agreed to.
Mr. Sargent, from the conference commit
tee on the pension appropriation bill, made
report.
Agreed to.
The house agreed to the senate amendment
which fixed the fees of pension agents at %
cents for preparing vouchers and administer
ing oaths.
Mr.. Sprague, from the committee on public
lands, reported with amendments the bill
extending the time for the completion of the
railroad extending from the Texas line to the
State line, to point on the Mississippi river
opposite Vicksburg.
Placed on the calendar.
MIR. Howe, from the committee on library,
reported favorably the bill for the relief of
Mercy Ann Hall, widow of Captain c. +.
Hall.
Placed on the calendar.
Also untavorably on the bill authorizing
the librarian of congress to send books to the
government of Cleveland.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Morrill, of Me-, from the committee on
naval affairs, reported favorable on the bill
authorizing the President to appoint Geo. IL.
Prebe, now captain on the active list in the
navy, to the grade of commodore.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Ingalls,, from the committee on Indian
affairs, reported favorably the bill for the sale
of the Black Bob Indian lands, in Kansas.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Cragin, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported tavorably the bill to restore
Capt. John C. Beaumont, U. S. N, to his
original position on the naval register.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Stevenson introduced bill prohibiting
the publication in newspapers of the revised
statutes of the L. s.
Passed.
The house amendment to the bill to author
al, Dali; 4
the location of its track and construct a
branch road in the District of Columbia was
concurred in and the bill passed.
Also the house amendments to the bill
appropriating STAG, 600 for the construction
of an iron bridge across the eastern branch of
the Potomac river.
The house bill to authorize the issue OF an
American register TO the British ship Alham-
bra, built at Boston, was passed.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Wilson, chairman of the committee of
investigation of the affairs of the District Of
Columbia, called up the bill reported yester-
day for the government of the district.
Mr. Poland, of Vermont, moved to take up
and pass the Senate bill prohibiting the pub
LEGATION of the Revised Statues in the news
papers at the expense Of the United States.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson proceeded to advocate his bill
and answer questions in relation to it.
Mr. Parker, of Missouri, asked why in the
provision for taxation personal estate was not
20 be taxed.
Mr.. Wilson said that all explanations on
that point would be made by his colleague on
the committee Bass).
Mr.. Fort of Illinois, raised the point of
order that the bill should be first considered
in tie committee of the whole.
Overruled.
Mr. Beck of Ky, intimated that he wished
to offer an amendment to reduce the rate of
taxation from 3 to . per cent. in the city of
Washington, from ID to 2 in Georgetown
and l in the district generally. He said the
rates proposed would amount to confscation
in many cases.
Mr.. Wilson replied if the gentleman from
kentucky knew exactly the financial condi-
ton of the district he would find the COM
mittee did not propose any more than was
necessary.
Several propositions in regard to the taxa
ton of personal property having been sug-
gested by Messrs. Parket of Mo-, Fort of
H., Small OF n. III. and q. +. Hoar of Mass,
Mr. Bass declined to admit them, stating that
the commissioners provided for in the act
were to report general scheme of govern
ment for the district, and he did not think it
right that they should be constrained or re-
stricted as to the mode of taxation. There
had heen no assessment of personal property
in the district hitherto, and the making of
such an assessment would require several
months, while it was necessary 10 have the
taxes collected Immediately.
At the close of MIR. Bass remarks, Mr..
Wilson moved the previous question on the
passage of the bill.
| Seconded-9i to 20.
The main question was then ordered-I3i
to Ill.
The bill passed-2l6 to %.
Adjourned. .fI.r-