The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-11
Forty Fourth COngress-First Session.
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
In the House, after reading the Journal the
oath was administered by the chaplain to Mr..
Egbert of Pa, who was not present on Mon
day.
On motion of Mr.. Gibson of Louisiana, a
resolution was adopted, adding to the COM
mittee OF the house committee of eleven to
be known as the committee on the Mississippi
levees.
Hopkins of Pennsylvania offered a resolu-
ton that so much of the message of the Pres
ident as relates to the Centennial celebration,
be referred to select committee of 10 MEM
bers.
Hoar of Massachusetts make point of order
that the message had already been referred to
the committee of the whole, and was not in
possess on Of the house.
The Speaker sustained the point of order.
Randall suggested that although the whole
message had been submitted to the committee
of the whole, the house might make such dis
position of it as it saw fit.
Kasson of Iowa suggested that the COM
mittee could be discharged from that part of
the message for the purpose of taking early
action on the Centennial matter. The object
was to get this committee appointed as early
as possible
Hoar said he had no objection to that
course, but the rules of the house should be OBJ
served
Wood of New York suggested the thing
could be done by unanimous consent.
The resolution was then adopted without oh.
lection.
Holman of Indiana moved an adjournment,
but yielded to MacDOugall of New York, who
asked leave to introduce and put upon its pas.
sage bill repeating SO much of the act of
March g. 1875, as has been construed to cover
postage on printed matter,
Mr.. Starkweather said he had bill prepar-
ed by the Postoffice Department which he de-
sired to offer as substitute for Mr.. MacDou-
galps.
Starkweather's bill was read. 1t provides
that from January l, 1876, postage sh all be
charged on pamphlets, transient newspapers
periodicals, magazines, handbills, papers un-
sealed, circulars, prospectuses, proof-sheets,
and corrected proof-sheets at the rate of one
cent for every two ounces or fraction thereof,
and that the postage on all other mailable mat
ter of the third class shall remain as now pro-
vided by law.
Holman said be had no doubt the measure
was exactly correct but that it was a very i'm
portaut measure and should receive due con-
sideration. He would therefore withdraw the
motion to adjourn.
MacDougall said he would accept Starkweath-
er's bill as substitute for his own.
Holman thought the bill was little too
broad in its provisions and that proper time
should be taken for its due consideration.
Starkweather said his bill had been prepared
at the Postoffice Department and it should be
considered Immediately.
Cox of New York-"You committed blum
OtT ldSb ScoSlOu duout tulS udGteE-uOu hurry
us now"
Starkweather-I did not blunder.
Cox-Your side of the house did, aud we
will correct your blunder, if you will give us
time.
Holman-The bill will be printed in to-
morrow's Record so that members can read it
and be prepared to act upon it at the mex t
meeting.
Starkweather-Do understand the gentle.
man from Indiana to object to reduction of
postage?
Hoiman-I do not. have said frequently
that L thought the measure right You passed
the bill last session and am anxious to have
it corrected.
Standardization voted for it yourself and
made mistake and now we want that mistake
corrected.
Kandall-A great number of mistakes were
made in that bill last year and it seems to me
that they should be corrected after proper con-
sideraton.
Mr.. Burchard of Illinois asked the Speaker
whether Mr.. MacDougalls proposition was
pending.
The Speaker replied that neither proposition
was pending, that they had only been read to
the house for information.
A motion to adjourn was then carried and
the House adjourned till Tuesdry next, the ad-
journment since. last Tuesday being for the pur-
pose of giving the Speaker time to make up his
list of committees
A Democratic caucus will be held in the ball
of the House Monday.