The Portland daily press., 1875-01-19
Forty Third Congressional Session.
SENATE.

o u
Mr.. Morrill, reported back the consular and
diplomatic appropriation bill with sundry
amendments.
In a call upon the Committee on Finance,
Mr.. Sherman responded, ond on his motion the
following bills we've indefinitely postponed.
The Senate bill to authorize national banks
without circulation; authorizing national banks
that have decided to reduce their capital stock
To Withdraw portion of their bonds upon re-
firing their own circulating notes on depositing
lawful money of the United States in the pro-
nortion provided by law; a bill to amend the
act to provide for the redemption of 3 per cent.
temnorary loan certificates for the increase of
national bank notes; bill providing for the
resumption of specie payments and for free
banking, introduced by Mr.. Morrill, of Yer
mont, last session.; Dlil 10 provide Tor the re-
funding Of internal revenue taxes improperly
assessed and collected; bill to reduce the tax ON
fine circulation of state banks to an amount
equal to that paid by the national banks.
A bill to provide a national currency secured
nv nledoe of United States bonds, and to pro-
vide for the circulation and redemption thereof,
approved June 3, 1864, was laid over.
A hill TO amend the act to provide for the re-
demption of the three per cent. temporary loan
certificates and for the increase of national
bank notes, approved July II, 1871, was laid
over.
MIR. Scburz's Louisiana resolution came up.
Mr.. Sherman yielded the floor to the Senator
from Maine (MorriD for motion to take up
the legislative appropriation bill with the I'M
derstanding that when the Louisiana discussion
would be resumed he would be entitled to the
floor.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to lay aside the resolution
of Schurz and proceed with the legislative ap-
preparation BILL Agreed to.
He stated the bill as it passed the House ap-
propriated SIS, 422, 442. The amendments re-
commended by the Senate committee made the
total amount SIS, 791 1854, making an increase
Of 1869, 512 over the House bill. The increase
was attributable chiefly to a want of service in
the assay offices and in the departments of the
government in Washington. 1t was reduc-
ton of 81 ,966, 300 as compared with last year.
The amendments proposed by the Committee
on Appropriations were agreed to as follows:
Increasing the compensation of principal clerk,
the principal executive clerk, the minute and
Journal clerk, and the financial clerk in the
office of Secretary of the Senate from 1852 to
$4,000 per annum; striking out clause of House
bill providing that the clerk of the committees
of either branch of Congress, except those
whose salaries are fixed by special appropra-
tons, shall be paid not less than S. per day,
and during the session only.
The committee submitted an amendment re-
duciug the compensation of commissioners of
internal revenue from $4,000 to $4,000 per an
mum. Rejected.
The committee proposed an amendment au-
tforizing the organization of bureau of COM
merce and statistics to be attached to the Treas
to appoint by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, the chief of said bureau.
Mr.. Boutwell, opposed the amendment, argu-
ing that the present statistical bureau was COM
petent to furnish all information in regard to
foreign and internal commerce. If the present
chief of the bureau was not suited to the posi-
ton, there was power in the ExecutiveADepart-
ment of the government to remove him. His
(BoutwelD experience, however, had been that
the present chief was an efficient man, and
whenever he applied for information it had
been furnished promptly and accurately.
Mr.. Thurman opposed the organization of
any new bureau. He said we had an Attorney
Generals Office once which cost the govern
ment very little. Now we have Department
of Justice which cost the government over 49,
100000 per annnm. II this bureau should be
authorized now it would soon cost 81, 100000 or
more per annum. He thought there would be
great danger to the country if all these schemes
in the peoples brains should find practical exc
cution. He hoped Congress would set its face
against any new bureau and vote down the
amendment.
Mr.. Coukling said the expenses of the De-
partment of Justice were not over $3,000000,
as had been stated by the senator from Ohio
(Thurmap). 1t was the whole judicial system
of the United States which cost that sum. The
expense of the Department of Justice itself
was very small.
Mr., Edmunds said the annual expense of
that department was not over $S6,000 or 1897, :
900.
Mr.. Morton favored the amendment of the
committee, and said that it was necessary that
all the inform alton possible should be gathered
for the settlement of the great questions be-
fore the people.
An amendment proposed by the committee
increasing the appropriation for dies, paper and
stamps for Internal revenue purposes from
$3.50, 900 to $500 900 was agreed to.
Pending the discussion of the amendment to
organize bureau of commerce, Mr.. Edmunds
moved that the Senate proceed to the consider
alton of executive business.
Mr.. Edmunds from the judiciary, reported
adversely on memorial of the members OF the
state central committee of the union Republi-
can party of South Carolina in relation to
certain allegations contained in aImemorial of
tax payers convention in that state in respect
to excessive taxation by the state government,
AMI the committee was discharged from fur
Their confederation of the subject.
At 80 the Senate proceeded to the conSd-
Grafton of executive business and at AS ad-
journed.
A large number of bills were introduced and
referred
After the introduction of large number of
bills, the House proceeded to the consideration
of the business of the District of Columbia.
The rules were suspended and a bill passed, 1854
to 76 approprating 1000 to defray the ex-
penses attending the visit of the King of the
Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
A long discussion took place on a bill to re-
lieve f1Cm taxation the charitable institution
endowed by Corcoran, and known as the Louisa
House for INDECENT Old Ladies of the District
of Columbia.
1t was finally passed and at o'clock the
House adjourned.