The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-02-27

C0n6laerotlOn OF the nnRnClal question
was postponed until Tuesday next.
Cameron moved to take up the centen-
nial bill. Thurman said he should vote
against the bill. He thought this idea
OF holding IN exhibition was entirely
destructive of proper celebration of
American independence, and Congress
could not do worse thing than to put
its hand in the treasury and take out
mouey for this purpose. Cameron re-
aented the styling the bill an appropria.
ton bill. Sumner read the bill. and
said no candid person, could deny that il
was an entering wedge to calling upon
Congress for large appropriation. He
read despatch, dated February 16.
1874. addressed by Mr.. Cameron to
Mayor Stokely. of Philadelphia. ex-
pressing his desire that Mr.. Stokely
should be reelected, and assuring him
of his qualification to know that in that
event any appropriation voted by
Congress would be properly expended.
The Chair called Mr.. Sumner TO order
for. discussing the merits of the bill.
Cameron said he had written the de-.
spatoh, and he approved every word Of
it. He intimated that if Mr.. Mcclure
had been elected, he would not have
been so we'll satisfied as to the manner in
which the money would be spent. The
Chair called Cameron to order for dis
cussing tho merits Of the bill. Sargent
read from the first Ast passed by Con-
gress on the subject of the centennial,
prohibiting the appropriation of any
money on that account. After further
discussion, the motion to take up was
decided in the negative.
Tho army appropriation bill as re.
ported from the Senate committee,
makes reduction of $780, 900 in the
appropriation for tho regular supplies
and incidental expenses of the quarter
masters department, and of $218, 900 in
sundry other items. The clause limit
ing the allowance for travelling expenses
to ten oents per mile is stricken out,
and the section transferring to the
Southern Claims Commission all claims
from loyal States now pending in the
quarter-master and commiseary depart
ments, is also omitted from the bill as
reported. All balances of approp,ia-
tion for the services Of the quarter
masters and oommissnry-general's de-
partmonts remaining undrawn on July
l, 1872, are by this amendment covered
into the treasury. While these officers
are to continue to examine and act upon
the claims, the effect is to require spe-
cial appropriations by Congress to pay
claimants, instead of their being paid as
now, through the third auditor. Se-
nator West and the chairman of the
committee opposed this action as i'm
posing vezatious delays. but were over
ruled in the committee. There will be
fierce fight over it in both houses, but
the vexatious delays will doubtless be-
come the law. The naval appropriation
bill passed with amendments, and goes
| to the House for copcurment.
In the House, the bill to revive the
franking privilege. olumsily disguised as
plan for distributing public docu-
ments, was at length, after q weeks de.
bate. brought to vote to-day. First
came motion to lay it on tho table, and
that was defeated by majority of 1s.
Then came substitute to restore the
franking privilege, pure and simple, but
only fifty members had the daring ho-
nesty to vote for it; while 200 voted
against it, Then came the final vote,
-. :. -.- ---S::.1 .o So :.o uu.,uus.
ness of the members about it. Many
wished the bill to pass, bat did not wish
to appear on the yea and nay list as so
| voting: aud SO the result was the reiec.
ton of the bill, by one majority against
it-l30 to l3l. It will probably be re-
vived morrow, by q motion to recon.
slider. Some thirty Democrats voted for
the bill.
The Star says the Select Committee on
Transportation is rapidly perfecting it's
report, which will be submitted to Con.
gress some time next month. The oom.
mittee will take the position that Con.
gress has the authority to regulate the
rates of fare over railroads, but will re.
commend against tho exercise of such
authority. on the ground that it is not
ut present expedient.
The Committee of Ways and Means
| will report bill fixing the tariff on i'm
ported still wines at hfty cents per gal
lon in casks and two dollars per case in
bottles. The Commerce Committee oil
the Senate have referred the wonderful
nomination of Simmons, for Boston
| Collector, to Mr.. Boutwell,, as q sub.
committee. Butler fed his Boston
friends. including Simmons, to-day.
The Committee on Roads and Canals
are decided in the opinion that, in the
present condition of the treasury, it will
be inexpedient for Congress to gran,
any aid for internal improvements.
The Supreme Court re assemblies nexI
Monday.
The American Consul ut Buenos Ayret