The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-02-10
The Financial Situation,
Fortj Third Congress- First Session
SENATE.

SENATE
WASHINGTON. Feb. g.
John S. Hager of California, was qualified
and took his seat vacated by Mr.. Casserly
Mr.. Sherman withdrew his motion to recon-
slider the vote by which the investigation of the
affairs of the District of Columbia was passed
saying. that while holding the views he ex
pressed on Friday, he withdrew his motion to
prevent delay, No objection was made.
Mr.. McCreery was excused and Mr.. Hager
OF California appointed on the Committee ON
Territories.
Several bills were introduced and referred
Mr.. Boutwell, introduced a bill amending the
currency act.
A bill paying $4,000 to the East Tennesses
University for damages by the Union troops in
the war was passed.
At the expiration of the morning hour, the
bankrupt bill was resumed, the pending ques-
ton being on the amendment abolishing regis
ters.
Mr.. Thurman advocated and Mr. Frelinghu-
sen opposed the amendment.
Mr.. Norton claimed that it would be bad
policy to remove experienced registers.
The Chair here laid before the Senate a mes
ton from Gov. Dix, presenting the statute of
George Clinton.
Mr.. Salisbury favored the amendment, saw
ing that bankruptcy expenses are now enor-
nous,
Tie amendment was rejected.
izing notaries of public to take dispositions in
bankrupt cases. Adopted.
Mr.. MerrimOn Offered an amendment giving
an assignee authority to bring suits to recover
debts IN State courts for all sums under $500
He said the law at a. present required
courts and little cases of $50 or 800
brought several hundred miles to the federal
court were frequently all expended for COSTS
Mr. Freingeuysen moved to amend by insert
ing the words ''usless the court having charge
OF the estate shall order to tae contrary"
which was accepted by Mr.. Merrman and
the amendment as ameHded was agreed to.
Mr. Merriman offered az amendment giving
to the courts of record of the several States
having superior jurisdiction and jury trials
power to administer the bankrupt law the
same as the United States Courts, provided
that the parties should have the same right of
appeal.
Pending the discussion, the Senate went into
executive session and subsequently adjourned.
HOUSE.
This is ''bill day. Among those introduced
were the MISUNDERSTANDING of letter post
age to two cents; amending the National cur
rency acts; fixing the salaries of the Post
masters of Boston, New York and Philadel-
phia; regulating the hours of service in the de-
partments and reducing Clerks also b lis re-
pealing the internal revenue taxes on tobacco
and whskey. for the construction of Fort ST.
Phillips canal and for the free circulation of
weekly newspapers.
Bills were also introduced by Mr.. White of
Alabama, for the construction of the Atlantic
and Great Western Canal, by the endorsement
of bonds and the Issue of currency notes to an
amount not exceeding 81 100000 and for open
ing to the navigation of the Tennessee and
Coosa rivers in Alabama and of the Ocmulgee
river in Georgia. The bill embodied the idea
of combining the water improvements and the
expansion of the currency. 1t is to be follow
ed by general bill on the subject of internal
improvements
By Mr.. Vance of North Carolina, to in
cor3orate the branches of the con
templated Southern Trans Colonial railroad
under the name and style of the North Caro-
lima, South Carolina and Georgia Extension
Railway. 1t provides for the consolidation of
the North Carolina, Wilmineton Charlotte,
Rutherford. North Carolina Western, Spartans-
burg, and Union Railroads. the bonds of tho
company bearing interest at six per CENT. To
be endorsed by the State of North Carolina
and the Treasurer of the United States
Mr. Coz Of New OF Yr aw Yeff for
rights to Cuba
Mr.. Dawes offered a concurrent resolution
for sine die adjournment on the 18th of May.
have new bills and appropriation bills held
back till the last days and tFen crowded
through.
Mr.. Dawes said the gentleman from Ken
and announcing the motievs of other people.
No other gentleman in the House knew that
resolution was to be offered and therefore no
mans motives entered in it but his own
Dawes) He had simply followed the practice
in the past sessions IN suggesting an early day
for adjournment, in order to despatch business.
Otherwise the middle of July or August would
be reached before adjournment He did not
suppose Congress would adjourn on the 18th of
May exactly but the adoption Of the resolution
was to contribute to the despatch of business
He had thought it was an innocent PROPOSE
ton till he heard the gentleman from Ken
lucky say that it originated from an improper
motive.
Mr. Beck of Kentucky knew that it was al,
most crime to say anything against the gov
ernment from Massachusetts but be objected to
putting this matter through without debate
Congress had been now two months and eight
days in session and only one appropriation bill
out of eleven or tw elve has been passed and no
measure of tariff or of revenue had been
brought up and now the House was asked to
fix the day of adjournment at three months
from now He believ d the effect would be to
ten days and have it virtually in the hands of
conference Committees by which all the vicious
legislation was effected. Whether that was the
purpose of the resolution or not that certainly
would be its effect. He would vote to set every
night and every day including Saturday and
Congress had done more work he objected to
fixing the day for adjournment.
Mr. Kelley of Pennsylvania expressed be-
lief that the adoption of the resolution would
be evil only. He moved to lay on the table.
Mr.. Hale moved to suspend the rules and
adopt the resolution. The motion was not
see nded, 80 to 100.
Mr.. G. f. Hoar moved to suspend the rules
and refer the resolution to the Committee of
Ways and Meaus Rejected 1903 to go, not the
requisite two thirds in the affirmative.
The House refused to lay the resolution on
the table 113, to 1913, and was referred to the
Committee ON Ways and Means
Mr. Coburn of Indiana offered a resolution
declaring it the sense of the House that Con-
gress should not adjourn until some measures
are enacted providing for reform in the pres.
ent saytem of currency, also on the subject of
transportation and for more economical adj
minstration Of government.
The rules were suspended and the resolution
was adopted without the yeas and nays.
A bill apppropriating $4,000 to dredge and
the Buffalo river passed under suspension of
the rules
The majority and minority reports of the
contested election case from the Sd Congress
sional District of Arkansas were presented and
ordered printed The majority report gives
the seat to w. w. Wiltshire on his prma facie
right and the minority report directs the Cjm-
mIttee on Elections to report on the merits OF
the case.
Mr. Smith of Ohio, moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolution declaring it within
the constitutional power of Congress to so regu
late commerce among the States, and to pro-
tect that p rtion of internal commerce which
is among the several States from all unjust or
oppressive tolls, taxes, distractions or other
burdens, whether imposed by railroad compa-
MES or by combinations thereof, or by other
common carriers; and that the present condi-
ton and magnitude of commerce among the
States demand prompt and wise exercise OF
those powers and duties. Carried, yeas no,
nays GA.
Mr. Randall moved to suspend the rules and
a resolution declaring if any increase OF cur
rency shall be directed by Congress, the same
ought to be of United States notes, commonly
called greenbacks. The House by 50 to 95, re-
fused to suspend the rules. Adjourned.