Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-29
FOrty.Third Congress.

strued as to vitiate OF involve the confsca-
ton of an entire invoice in consequence of
any item or items contained in the same
being undervalued. but said provision shall
apply only to articles undervalued in such
invoice
Mr. Wright reported a bill which pro-
vides that the Senate shall appoint five
commissioners to investigate the traffic in
alcoholic liquors, in its economic, moral
and scientific aspects, in connection with
pauperism, crime, the public health, and
general welfare of the people, and shall
also inquire and take testimony rs to the
practical result of license and restrictive
legislation for the prevention of intemper-
ance in the several States; these commits
sioners to be selected solely with regard
to personal fitness and with regard to an
impartial, honest and thorough investiga-
ton.
Numerous petitions for woman suffrage
were presented.
Mr.. Merriman, of North Carolina, adj
dressed the Senate on the financial ques-
ton, and advocated the immediate resump-
ton of specie payments. The south was
in need of currency, and if it got down
south it would go back very slowly, if the
banks of New England and New York did
not offer interest for it. He would post
pone resumption to July 4. 1876. He dep
recated the national banking system, and
contended that the high rates of interest
paid We're ruinous The banks should be-
long to the people, which he contended
would tend to keep an equilibrium of the
currency.
Mr.. Edmunds thought capital would
seek the south if labor was respected and
equal justice done to all; and Mr.. Merri-
man thought life was as safe in North
Carolina as in New England.
The Senate confirmed NJ. r. Waite as
Chief Justice unanimously, siXty-four SEN
ators voting.
House. Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania,
from the select committee on the centen-
NAL exposition, reported Il bill requesting
the President to extend, in the name
of the United States, respectful and
cordial invitation to the governments OF
other nations to be represented and
take part in the international exposition.
long discussion followed, many not
wishing to commit the United States to the
success of the undertaking.
In the evening the bill for the revision
of the laws was considered,
THURSDAY. Senate Mr. Boutwell, dis
cussed the financial question, and from his
late position as secretary of the treasury,
was listened to with great attention.
He repeated his opposition to either in
hation or contraction, and said that power
was vested in the Secretary of the Treas
ury to use the reserve Of S44, 100000 ac
cording to his discretion; but he thought
the limit of $3.50, 900 900 would always
be maintained, whenever the exigencies
of the public good would admit. The
Secretary of the Treasury could not sit
still in the face of ruin which threatened
the country brought about by causes for
which the government was itself mainly
responsible. He compared the gold pre-
MUM from 1865 to the present time, and
said 1t showed we have made Il steady
progress towards resumption He looked
forward to no distant day when coin and
paper would be equalized. He indicated
his view that any decisive policy now, look
ing to resumption, would be fraught with
danger. He believed that either contrac-
ton or imitation would be attended with
most evil results; and also considered the
possible results from immediate attempts
to resume. From his tand-point. the best
and wisest method was, for the present. to
avoid all Legislation on the subject. There
is but one remedy by which we can ward
off the evils that threaten us, and that is
by taxation, and before putting disgrace
upon the people of this country he would
put burdens, rs he felt that it would be
disgrace to 90 into the markets of the
world at this time begging for a loan.
Mr. Sargent presented an extremely
LONG memorial of Susan b. Anthony. set
-, ,,..h ,r,.ia,-nDna- har
rest, trial and conviction for voting in the
Presidential election of 1872. and asking
that the fine imposed upon her be remit
ted. Referred to the committee on cleo
tons.
HgnSt Mr.. Dawes reported back ad-
versely bills to repeal taxation on bank
checks and friction matches.
Mr.. Dawes also reported bill fixing
the amount of currency aS4O0, 900. 900,
Mr.. Kasson reported Il bill which re-
peals the government tax on deposits in
savings banks. which do business strictly
as such. although they may have paid in
capital. Such capital. however, is not to
receive greater interest than is allowed to
depositors, except that , ID per cent may
be allowed in consideration of the guar
antee which such capital gives depositorS
against loss. No tax accrued OF claimed
for the years prior to the passage of the
act. from savings banks having capital
stock or guarantee bond but not collected
nor claimed by the revenue officers in
those years, shall he hereafter collected.
This bill would relieve such institutions
as the Montpelier Savings Bank from an
Onorous tax.
In the evening the bill for revision OF
the laws was further considered.
FRIDAY. Senatc. \ bill was introduced
providing for Il ship canal around Niagara
Falls The post-route bill was considered
at length.
House The day was mostly spent or
private bills The West Virginia contest
ed election cases were discussed.
SATURDAY. House. The day was spent
in general speech-making.
/ MONDAY. Senate. Mr.. Logan intro
duced a bill granting pensions to the sur
vivors of the Mexican war 1t provide.
that a pension of 81 per month be given t.
each honorably discharged surviving off
Ger and enlisted man, including the militi;
volunteers of the military and naval ser
vice who served sixty days in the war will
Mexico, and also to surviving unmarried
There appeared desire to investigate
the management of affairs in the Distric
! of Columbia but it was postponed.
Mr. Edmunds reported the House bank
rupt bill. with additional amendments, an,
it was laid over for future action. The fol
lowing amendments however, are new an
important: First, an amendment provid
ing that in cases of voluntary bankruptc
no discharge shall be granted to a debto
whose assets shall not be equal to 33 pc
cent of the claims proved against his estate
upon which he shall be liable as principa
debtor, without the assets of his creditor
in number and value as prescribed by tn
existing law. This repeats the provision
which now requires 80 per cent of such a:
! sets Second, an amendment providin
that in computing the number of creditor
who shall join in a petition to have deb
I ! 4 ~,