The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-07
Forty Third Congress First Session.
SENATE.

Petitions were presented as follows: By Mr..
Ferry OF Connecticut, from the New Haven
Chamber of Commerce. for a return to specie
payment; by Mr.. Anthony, against the repeal
of the bankrupt law; by Mr.. Hamlin of Maine,
from the ship owners of that State whose YES
sells were destroyed during the rebellion bv rebel
cruisers other then those named in the Geneva
award, asking for portion of that award-re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Conklng presented q petition asking
that the views OF the mercantile community
may be heard against the repeal of the bank
ruptcy bill.
was taken from the table and referred to the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Scott of Pa, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported with amendments Mr. Nor
tons bill authorizing the national banks that
have decided to reduce their capital stock to
withdraw pro rata proportion of bouds, upon
retiring their own circulating notes or deposit
ing lawful money of the U. S.. in the proper
tion provided by law The only material
amendment recommended is one reouirino that
whenever such reduction shall be authorized
under the 18th section of the national currency
act, any notes of such bank thereafter coming
into the Y. 5. treasury, shall be cancelled to-
getber with such as shall be redeemed, which
shall equal the amount of the reduction author
lied.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine. from the Finance Com
mittee, reported back Mr.. Summers resolution
instructing the committee to report bill abol-
U
Revenue and provide for the collection of taxes
by stamp, with the recommendation that it be
indefinitely postponed. He said that to abolish
the Internal revenue bureau would be to lose at
least half the taxes now collected. 1t would be
impossible to collect the taxes without officers.
Mr.. Sumner said that by adopting the system
of collecting taxes by stamps the army of office
holders would be dispensed with He thought
that the measure would be consistent and should
be passed. The resolution was indefinitely
postponed.
Mr. Cameron from the Finance Committee.
reported back the House joint resolution au-
thorizing Edward Young to accept present
from the Emperor of Russia, with recommen-
datiOn that it pass.
Mr. Sumner thought that it would be a doubt-
full policy to pass this bill. He would say to
all officers going abroad, sYou must render
service to your country and be rewarded by
your country, but look for no reward Abroad
After further discussion by Messrs Thurman
and Conkling the bill was passed.
Several bills were introduced, including one
by Mr.. Merriman, for the removal of the polit-
ical disabilities of John Julius Guthrer of North
Carolina.
When the morning hour expired the bill to
repeal the act of March 3, 1873, increasing sal
aries was taken up.
Mr. Stewart of Nevada desired to amend the
bill to compel the refunding of all back pay.
Mr.. Wright moved a point of order that two
amendments were already pending
Mr.. Stewart did not think $500 too much
money for Senator to live upon decently, but
if tnis money was to be given back let it all be
returned.
Mr.. Wright said that for himself be favored
square repeal of the bill. If that could not
be done, he would take the next proposition
and stand by the bill as reported from the COM
mittee. He thought that to incumber it with
all these amendments would defeat it.
Mr.. Flanagan of Texas said that if there was
guilt pertaining to any Senator who advocated
the passage of the bill increasing salaries, he
was guilty. He favored its passage and voted
for 1t out OF the purest motives, as he believed
Congress had right to enact said law. He
thought $500 not an excessive salary, and had
remarked when the bill passed that it should
have been $4,000 Since then he had not
changed his opinion, He had drawn the mon
ey producing the greenbacks from his pockets)
Here they are, sir. This is my pay; am going
to ight for it till the last. (Laughter.) have
not stolen that pay. have done nothing that
preys upon my conscience. / have endeavored
to earn it. (Renewed laughter After the adj
journment of the Senate he returned to Texas
and was received by the Legislature of that
State, and not having been condemned by that
body he felt easy. 1t was not so much the sal
airy bill the people objected to as the Credit
Mobilier BILL but he did not think that that
was such an odious measure. He thought
Cakes Ames was one of the best men he ever
knew, and he believed it was the demagogues
OF the country who preferred this indictment.
Mr.. Carpenter thought that there was but
one way to get honest public servants, and that
was by paying them a good price. He should
vote for the repeal of the bill as being the wish
of his constituents He saw only one reason
why the bill should be repealed and that was
that the people wished it. He had spent his
back pay faithfully. He knew of no power TO
get it back, and would leave that question be-
tween the government and his creditors.
Mr. Edmunds said he could not live as well
upon his pay now as could the average farmer
OF Vermont. The back pay bill had been tack
ed on under an idea that the Senate could not
instruct its conferers to strike it out, and he
sent paper to the Clerks desk showing how
conference conn ittees might be instructed
Mr.. Conkling opposed MIR Edmund's plan of
instrqcting conference committees, and said he
should vote for total repeal of the bill.
The Senate then went into executive session
and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Cox presented memorial of the German
mass meeting held in New York in the behalf
OF Cuba; also a bill to prevent the payment of
moieties to informers. Referred
Mr. Ccburn of Ind, presented memorial
for a ship canal around Niagara and at the
mouth of the Mississippi river; also an amend
nent to the constitution relative to the election
and appointment of officers,
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio introduced bill to fill
the vacancy in the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institute, and naming Asa Geary
OK Massachusetts in place of Louis Agassiz,
deceased, j. D Dana of Connecticut, in place
of Theodore d. Wood. Esq, Alexander 7.
Stewart of New York in place of William b.
Astor.
Mr.. Sypher Of La, introduced resolution
which he said had the approval of the Presi-
dent, reciting the destitute condition OF the
people of Louisiana, and directing the Secre-
tary of War to issue army rations in such guam
titles as shall be necessary to alleviate imme-
diate suffering. Referred to the Committee ON
Education
the Virginia Legislature against the passage of
the supplementary civil rights bill. Read and
referred.
The House resumed the consideration of the
supplementary civil rights bill.
Mr.. Beck of KY, gave notice of an amend
- ->~~-;@1;''- thnt tho 1aw shall not he