Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-02
Congressional Proceedings.
SENATE.
Washington, March


Mr.. Sherman opposed the tax and tariff bill.
During his speech he said he did not believe the
advance of the tax bill on whiskey would yield
| any more revenue to the government, but would
very moment this bill passed the dstillation of
whiskey would be stopped until the prices Of it
reached ST 10 per gallon.
Mr.. Sherman favored the granting of authority
to the President and Secretary of the Treasury to
suspend work on the public buildings suspend
the expenditures Of any appropriation when in
their Judgment the public interest required it.
Any increase Of the tobacco tax would be treating
the dealers badly, as remonstrances were before
the Senate against such increase and should be
heard. Congress had fixed the tax two years ago,
and should not interfere with it again now. He
was opposed to the whole internal revenue sys-
| tenn and hoped that Congress at the present SEES
sion would wipe out the whole system of stamp
tax, etc. leaving only tax whskey and to-
bacco. He favored the the tax on tea and coffee,
and said if that tax had not been taken Off we
would have had no trouble now with our finances
House.
A bill making sn appropriation of 5000 for the
prosecution Of the claim of the United States to
the New Iberia, Cal, Mining Co.'S bonds, gave
rise to sharp debate, during which Mr.. E. X.
Hosr called the attention Of the House to the fact
that the resolution which passed the House the
other evening, directing the Commissioner Of the
General Land Office to bring suit for the recovery
of land was clear violation of the law. The
appropriation was entirely unnecessary, as the
department Of justice had ample means to prose-
cute the case, and he hoped the amendment would
not prevail
Mr.. Butler said the matter had been several
times Investigated by the judiciary committee of
the House, and it was a remarkable fact that they
would never get it up without an ex-Attorney-
General of the United States.
Mr.. Kellogg.-Were they not in office before
the present administration!
| Mr.. Butler-Oh, no; l wish could say
| Mr.. Hoar--I hope my colleague does not refer
to ME as having been before his committee.
| Mr. Butler-By no means.
| Messrs Houghton, Loughbridge. Potter and
others followed on the same side.
| Messrs. Randall and Eldridge made strong
speeches against the company and in favor of Nc
| Garrahan. The former believed he had clear IT,
tie to the lands and the latter, that while McGar
| rahan in his opinion had no title, his conduct in
| the case was honest.
| Mr.. Garfield denounced McGarrahan, and de-
clared that the amendment was q job in his inter-
| est.
The question was then put on the adoption of
the amendment and tellers being appointed, re-
| ported 100 in the affirmative and Sc in the mega
tive, and SO the amendment was adopted.
| Mr.. Williams, from the committee on Pacific
| railroads. reported bill specifying in great detail
the points in regard to which the Pacific r. h.
Companies required to make returns to the
government of the receipts of traffic rates, &C.
Passed.
The Senate amendments to the army appropria-
ton bill were now csncurred in and sent to q
ference committee. A report on the military
academy appropriation bill was presented and
| agreed to.
| The Senate amendments to the Indian sppropr-
alton bill were presented and acted and the bill
sent to a conference committee.
| M. Garfield, from the conference committee on
the legislative, executive and judicial appropria-
| ton bill, reported that the committee was unable
to agree, the point of disagreement being item
as to the pay OF certain clerks of the House.
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, moved that the House
| recede from its action.
| apI onted.