Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
Propositions to Establish Mints
In the West.
A Bureau of Commerce and
Statistics.
Bridging the Mississippi at Mem
phis.
S25, 900 to Defray Kalakaua's
Visit to this Country.
SENATE

WAsHrNaToa, jan. 16.=Mr. Scott pre-
sented petitions of citizens OF Schuyikili
county, Pennsylvania, asking the re-enact-
ment Of the ten per cent duty on foreign
products, and for the passage Of the Kelley
currency bill. Referred.
Mr.. Morrill,, frJm the Committee on Ap-
preparations, reported back the consular
and diplomatic appropriation bill, with
sundry amendments. Placed on the calen-
dar.
Mr.. Morton introduced bill to establish
a mint for the coinage Of gold and silver at
indianapolis. Referred.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the unfinished business being the resolu-
tiOn Of Mr.. SehurE, instructing the Judi
eiary Committee to inquire what legisla-
tion is necessary by Congress, to secure TO
the people Of Louisiana the right OF self
government under the Constitution, upon
which the Senator from Ohio Mr.. Sher-
mani was entitled 70 the floor.
Mr.. Sherman said he would not stand in
the way of the appr, priatiOn bills, and
would yield to the Senator from Maine
(Mr. MOrFilD for a motion TO take up the
Legislative, Judicial and Executive ApprO-
pristion bill, with the understanding that
when the Louisiana discussion should be
resumed, be (Sherman) would be entitled
to the floor.
Mr. Morrill, then moved to lay aside the
resolution Of Mr.. SchurZ, and proceed with
the legislative appropriation bill. Agreed
10. He stated that the bill as 1t passed the
House Of Representatives appropriated SlS,-
422. .442. The amendments recommended
by the Senate. committee made the total
amount S1S791,954. The increase was
attributable chiefly to the want Of service
in the offices and in the departments Of the
Government in Washington. Itwas an in
crease of 81, ,966, 300 as compared with the
bill Of last year.
The committee submitted an amendment
reducing the compensation Of the Com
missioner of Internal Revenue from S6,00G
to 5000 per annum. Rejected.
The eommitoee proposed an amendment,
authorizing the organizing Of Bureau Of
Commerce and Statistics, to be attached 70
the Treasury Department, and authorizing
the President to appoint, by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, the chief
Of said bureau, whose duty it shall be to
gather, collect and annually report to Con
grass statistics and facts relating to the
commerce with foreign nations and among
the several States; the railroad system Of
this and other countries; the con
struction and operation Of railroads; the
actual cost Of the construction and opera
ton Of railroads; the actual cost Of trans
porting freights and passengers on rail
roads, and on canals, rivers and other nayi-
gable waters of the United States; the
charges imposed for such transportation Of
freight and passengers and the tonnage
transported. The salary Of the special
commissioner to be $500 per annum.
The amendment further provides that the
present Bureau Of Statistics shall be
transferred to and made part Of the Bureau
Of Commerce and Statistics; also. that all
duties now devolving upon the Register Of
the Treasury, in relation to attesting ma
rine documents and issuing them 10 officers
Of customs, the preparing OF annual state
menis Of tonnage, etc, shall be transferred
to said bureau, and apprOpriates 80, O44 for
the expenses Of the bureau.
A sharp discussion ensUed, during which
the question Of the expediency Of creating
a new Government bureau was d bated at
length. An amendment proposed by the
committee, increasing the appropriation for
dies, paper and stamps, for internal reve-
nue. purposes, from S450,O0O to 100000,
was agreed 10.
Pending the discussion on the amend
ment to organize the Bureau Of Commerce,
Mr.. Edmunds moved that the Senate pro-
cesd to the consideration Of executive busi-
ness.
After an executive session, the Senate
adjourned.