The Portland daily press., 1874-03-04
WASHINGTON.

A Hearing Upon the Revenue Seizures.
WASHINGTON, March 3-The Committee of
Ways and Means to-day had before them the
subject of the seizures OF books and papers OF
merchants and importers, and of moieties.
There were present jackson Shultz, President
of the New York Chamber of Commerce.; Mr..
McKeerson and J. G. Hooper, representing the
National Revenue Reform Association and the
Importers and Grocers' Board of Trade; A, H.
Rich, Condlin Spaulding, Nourse, Hyde and
Pomeroy of the Board of Trade. VIM. E.Dodge,
David A. Wells and Jayne were also present.
Some of the gentlemen named were amply sup
piled with documents The proceedings COM
menced with the reading of testimony given at
the former meeting by Jaynes on the subject of
moieties.
Jayne gave an account of certain seizures
and said that the committee shonld hear from
those who had suffered from the wrongs of the
law, but the committee should determine the
value of complaints from the violatOrS of the
law before legislation upon the subject
Mr.. Hyde of Boston, did net propose going
into general discussion, but deemed that those
against whom charges had been made should
have a hearing.
Mr. Kelly said the purpose of the Committee
was to investigate the subject fully.
Jayne then objected that he had been accus-
ed. and asked if he should not be heard against
charges made by these Internal thieves and
their representatives
Mr. Wood and other members of the commit
tee said that such remarks should not be per-
mitted and Jayne was required to take his
seat.
After some further discussion the committee
adjourned till tomorrow.
An Extraordinary Prayer.
The Chaplain of the Senate to-day made the
following extraordinary prayer:
30 Lord our God, we come in this place to
deplore before theithe spirit of lying which is
abroad, and we beseech thee to rebuke the gil
ant demon of Islander that stalks forth, casting
on all the earth fearful shadow. Paralyze
the hand that writes the detractions; palsy the
tongue that utters wanton calumny, the things
which tend to undermine all confidence in the
good and to give malignant power to all the
bad elements for the decentralization and de-
struction of human society. Let thy flaming
spirit take vengeance upon the false deceiver,
and consume this spirit of SANDER from all the
land. This we ask in the name and for the
sake of Him who was truth itself
Wendell Phillips before Committee.
The Senate Finance Committee to-day head
arguments from Wendell Phillips, claiming
that the Mercantile Savings Institutions of
Boston is entitled to exemption from taxation
as coming within the proviso of section ITO of
the act of June 80, 1864. The committee had
also under consideration the House bill re-
stricting the refunding of custom duties and
prescribing certain regulations for the Treasury
Department. but took no action.
An Earnest Protest.
In the Senate to-day, a petition was present
ed Of large number of prominent business
men of New York setting forth that they are
alarmed at the assumption of the Secretary of
the Treasury in issuing United States notes
without the authority of the law; that no civ
ilized government had resorted to the ISIS ne of
irredeemable paper money in time of peace,
and asking Congress to put an immediate stop
to any further issue OF greenbacks by the Sec
Rotary of the Treasury, and cause the retire.
ment at once of the legal tender reserve issue.
The petition was referred
Bank Decision
The Supreme Court decided to day in the case
of Billiard trustee VS.. the National Eagle Bank
of Boston, that national bank organized I'M
der the act of 1864, cannot acquire a valid lien
upon the shares of its stockholders by virtue of
the articles of association or bylaws.
Pension Bill.
The House Committee on Invalid Pensions
to-day agreed to a bill which provides that all
pensions granted on account of diseases con-
tracted in the United States service or wounds
received in battle since March, 1861, which
have been granted or may hereafter be granted
on application filed previous to Jan. 5, 1875,
shall commence from the date of death or dis
charge. The bill also provides that in case APP
plications for pensions are not filed prior to
Jan. l, 1873, the pension otherwise shall COM
mence from the date of filing the last evidence
necessary to establish the same. The limita-
ton herein prescribed does not apply tn claims
BY or on behalf of insane persons or minor
children of deceased soldiers.
Treasury Payments.
Payments from the Treasury by warrants for
the past month: Civil and miscellaneousal
$4526, 1870; war, 50, $751; 1861; navy, So, 3O2,
40 W; Interior Department, Indians and pea
slons $5 ,29O, 53469. Total, $14,7O1 ,27969.
The Howard curt Martial,
Inc Howard court met to-day and adjourned
I'll tuesday next to await the arrival of COL
Nelson A: Miles of the 9th Infantry, who acts
as member in place of Gen. Mcdonald.
Internal Revenue
Internal Revenue receipts 1927, 1925.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue re-
plying to the resolution of the Senate saws that
during the last six months 256 illicit distilIeres
were suppressed. The capacity varied from 10
to 1000 gallons and daily average of 30 gal
Ions.
The Kansas House of Representatives Mon
day night passed rs to 20 a resolution of i'm
parchment against State Treasurer Hayes.
The California Legislature has appointed
committee to investigate the alleged subsidies to
the Central Pacific Railroad.