National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-02-13
XLIIId CONGRESS-.


| UBNAT&s
Senator Cameron, Of Penn, introduced bill
to amend the Diplomatic and Consular Bystems
cot Of Aug. 10, 1856. The bill II one drafted by
the State Department, proposing to revise the
salaries Of many Of the United States Consuls
and Cousuls.G General throughout the world.
The salaries provided for the more prominent
are "a follows: Consuls- General-At London,
seven thousand dollars Paris, seven thousand;
Calcutta, five thousand; Montreal four thou
sand; Cairo, four thousand; Havana, ak
thousand Rio Jsneiro, six thousand Kama
gawa, five thousand Shanghai, six thousand |;
Vienna, four thousand; Berlin, Frankfort, Rome
and Constantinople, three thousand each.
Hong Kong, four thousand Manchester and
Havre, three thousand each. All the others
have smaller salaries than the amounts above
named but have also fees. Referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Conkling Of N. Y, introduced bill
amendatory Of the National Currency act Of
June, 1864. Referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Mr.. Conklings bill proposes to add to
section 20 provisions authorizing suits to be
brought against the receiver and stockholders
by any person aggrieyed by any proceedings
holders Of national banks under the Currency
act, or by neglect or omission to enforce said
liability to the extent any creditor may claim
to be entitled for the payment OF the amount
alleged to be due him. The suits are to be
brought in the United States Circuit Court for
the proper district and DEGREES directing con-
tribution, or further contribution by the stock
holders or any of them, may be enforced
against the property Of the stakeholder, and
shall be binding upon the Comptroller Of the
Currency and receiver.
An investigation was ordered by the Senate
into the matter Of furnishing stationery for
reporters.
Mr.. Chandler, Of Mich, presented petition
for the extension Of the money order system
to every post-ofiice in the United States and
the reduction Of the charges in such Offices
Referred to the Committee on Post Offices. and
Post Routes.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Me-, introduced bill to
establish uniform registry Of sea going YES
sells, to afford protection to life on shipboard,
and to govern rebates on duties on merchan-
disc damaged on the voyage Of importation.
Mr.. Norwood, Of Ga, introduced bill to
simply to repeal the repeating act of Jan. 81,
1873 Referred to the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. Ingalls,, of Kan, introduced bill to
confirm homestead titles in all cases where the
claimants have settled on railroad land grants
in good faith and made valuable improvements
thereon. Referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
Mr.. Morrill, Of Me-, introduced a joint
resolution authorizing the President of the
| United States to convene court of inquiry to
be composed Of five officers Of the army, to in
vestigate the charges against Gen. o. O.
Howard, contained In the letter of the Secre-
tary of War to the House of Representatives
of December 8, 1873.
Mr.. Cooper, of Tenn, introduced a bill to
refund internal revenue taxes Improperly
assessed and collected. Referred to the
Committee on Finance. 1t directs the re-
mission or repayment Of all taxes assessed or
| ool1o n,k;u
tiOnary States contrary to the provisions Of the
Treasury Department circular No. 16, issued
June a. 1867.
! Mr. Sargent, Of CAL, introduced bill in re-
lation to certain deposits in the Post Office De-
partment. It authorizes the Postmaster Cen
| deposited by bidders as security for the faithful
performance Of contracts, and to place the pro-
ceeds in the Treasury Of the United States, to
| remain there until the contracts are awarded,
after which the amount shall be returned to
the bidders depositing it.
The House joint resolution for a committee
Of inquiry in the case of General Howard was
passed.
Senator Goldfthwaite, of Ala. introduced
bill amendatory of the act of March g. 1865,
imposing tax Of ten per cent on the circula
ton of State bank notes. Referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Mr. Sargent. of CAL, introduced bill, which
and Labor, to establish Bureau of Health
1t proposes to establish at Washington under
the direction of the Interior Department., a
Bureau of Health.
The following is the text of Senator sher-
mans Finance bill
January 1875, the Secretary OF the Treasury
shall pay on demand to any holder of United
States notes to the amount of 1000. or any
multiple thereof in exchange for such notes,
| 0r arnOupt 0ft tho OO1d ~ bo T1nita1
States, or in lieu of coin he may at his option
issue in exchange for said notes an equal
amount Of coupon or registered bonds Of the
United States in such form as he may prescribe,
and Of such denominations of $50 or some
multiple of that sum, redeemable in coin of
the present standard value, at the pleasure of
the United States after ten years from the date
of their issue, and bearing interest payable
quarterly in such coin at the rate of five per
centum per annum, and the Secretary Of the
Treasury may reissue the United States notes
so received, or if they are cancelled, may issue
United States notes to the same amount, either
to purchase or redeem the public debt, or to
meet the current payments for the public
service, and the said bonds and the interest
thereon shall be exempt from the payment of
all taxes or duties of the United States, as well
as from taxation in any form by or under
State, municipal or legal authority, and the
said bonds shall have set forth and expressed
upon their face the above specified conditions,
and shall with their coupons be made payable
at the Treasury of the United States.
Sec. 2. That from and after the first day of
July next the limit of the aggregate circulation
Of national banks now prescribed by law is
repealed, and all banks thereafter organized
shall deposit as security for their circulating
notes bonds of the United States issued under
this act or under the act entitled IAN act to
authorize the refunding Of the debt, approved
July IA, 1870"
A number Of bills were presented on the
currency and finance question.
Mr. Nesmith, of Oregon, member of the
Military committee, protested against a reduc-
ton of the army. He defended the frontiers
men against the aspersions usually made against
them and he declared that the first effective
missionary the Indians ever had was Miles
Standish, and that his missionary work had
been continued by jackson, Sheridan and
others. Congress might save few million
dollars by reducing the army, but every dollar
saved would be responded to by the blood Of
frontiersmen and by the wall Of their widows
and orphans.
Mr.. Coburn, of Ind, from the Committee
on Military Affairs, reported joint resolution
requesting the President to convene court Of
inquiry of not less than five officers of the army
to investigate fully all the charges against
Brig. General o. o. Howard, contained in the
communication Of the Secretary of War Of Dec |
s, 1873, and to report their opinion as well on
the moral as the legal responsibility for such
offenses, If any may be discovered. After q
lengthy discussion the resolution was amended |
giving Gen. Howard the right Of challenge, and |
as amended, passed by vote of 172 to GA. |
Mr.. Cox Of N. Y, offered joint resolution |
giving the thanks Of Congress to the officers
and crew Of the steamship Atlantic of the
White Star line for saving the crew Of the |
brigantine Scotland in mid-ocean. Passed.
The resolution ordering an investigation into |
the affairs Of the District of Columbia was |