Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-11
FORTY-FOURTR CONGRESS.
FRIDAY, August IL.

the passage OF the Hawaiian treaty bill, He
urged the Importance OF early action, and
said 1t would be better for commercial IN
hung up without action.
MI. Anthony, from the Committee on
Printlng, reported resolutions for printing
of impeachment, and for printing the report
OF the survey of the alluvial lands of the
Mississippi, with amendments in the nature
amount OF money to execute the work. He
said there had been so much economizing on
printing that 1t was idle to pass resolutions
10 print II there was no provision made for
IT. 10th bills were placed on the calendar.
THE NEW DISTRICT LOAN DISCUSSED
Mr.. Window moved TO take up the DILL
authoriz ing the Commissioners OF the DIS
trlct OF Column bia to negotiate loan in an
ticfpation Of revenues to meet the current
expenses of the District. Agreed to-yeas q ,
nays 10.
Some verbal amendments were made to
the bill.
Mr.. Edmunds said the debt OF the District
now amounts to twenty million, and Con-
gress had made explicit provision that the
debt should not be increased; and now the
first thing that happens is a proposition to
Increase the debt half million. 1t was true
chat 1t was proposed TO REIN burse Ii out OF
the taxes, but 1t could readily be seen what
the result would be. There would be a ded-
cheney tue next year, and the debt would be
increased. HefOr one would rather let the
Commissioners get on the best way they
could, or not get ON at all. They might have
tons Of the Board of Health and other
branches OF their government, leave tine
streets uns wept, and let repairs go by. He
wanted, without occupying time. to enter a
vigorous protest against an increase of the
debt. When the United States get really to
appropriate apr It's proper proportionate amount
then the money could bs used.
Mr.. Herman said the government had pro-
missed to appropriate Its share and see the
taxes collected to pay the bonds of the DIS
trict. Congress had governed the District
since 1874. and he thought the time had come
when they should stop borrowing money.
Mr.. Window said the Senate had already
wards the expenses OF the District, not as
loan, but as contribution of the govern
ment towards its proportion OF the expenses.
ernment owns from forty to fifty per cent. of
all the property in the District, subject to
no tax whatever, 1t seemed hardly fair TO
It's government. If the United States gov
eminent would do is duty, there would De
no necessity for alarm. Congress had by
legislation imposed on the District duties
requiring the outlay of money. In the bill
for repaving Pennsylvania avenue they re-
Quired the District TO relay the water mains.
They were required to light the streets aud
to maintain schools, police force, &c, and
passed a law Furnishing with great severity
any increase OF the public debt, and had by
delay prevented the collection OF taxes uutil
December, and in addition had repealed the
license law by which about 300, 900 would
have been realized by the District. Having
hibited their going in debt, Congress stood
in the attitude of refusing to raise money
for them or allowing them to raise money
themselves.
Mr.. Herman concurred in what had been
said about the relations of the government
10 the District, but thought IL time that
some DEFINITE action was taken and stop
The District was left Without government
or any thing definite as TO permanency, aud
here they were In 151G with no government
md no
proportion OF expenses the gOvernm -nt
should pay. Something should be done al
once or they would find the District in The
condition it was some ears ago Ii was for
the interest OF the people OF the District and
OF the Treasury that this should be settled
Mr.. Frelinghuysen said that 1t was not the
fault of the people of the District, but OF The
Senator from New York and the Senator
from New Jersey that no bill had been In tro-
duced to settle this matter. If Congress went
away without making some provisions for
the safety of the lives and property OF The
citizens of fine District, the safety OF the prop
erty OF the government, and the health OF tue
employees, II would be censurable.
Mr.. salisbury suggested that the Difficult.
ty could be met by proper abatement from
the early abatement OF taxes.
Mr. Edmunds said that Congress had so
delayed the tax bill that the assessments
could not be made and the taxes levied be-
fore December.
Mr.. Edmuhds then moved to strike out all
after the enacting clause and insert an ap-
propriation OF $780, 600 as the share of the
United States for the expenses of the Dis
trict for the year beginning July 1, 1876, and
said he had no doubt that the House would
prefer TO appropriate some sum rather than
Increase the DEBT Of the District.
Mr.. Sherman favored the amend ment. and
thought 1T might be cut down by the House.
Even that was better than increasing the
debt.
Mr.. Ingalls, said, as member of the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia, he had
| some knowledge OF the anomalous condi-
ton OF affairs In the District. He concurred
In what had been said In reference t. the
necessity OF definite action In relation To the
District government, but the present was
pressing emergency. 1t was not the duty of
Congress now 70 waste time In useless criti-
cism. II there was fault IL was with Coo
gress, and IL GU ht not to infiict on this
unfortunate people further unnecessary and
dangerous delays. AS the House had rejected
the proposition of Mr.. Edmunds in the sun
dry civil bill he did not favor 1t as An in
dependent measure, because 1t might defeat
The amendment was agreed to, and the
bill as ameoded was then passed.
Mr.. Logan moved to suspend prior orders
and take up the bounty bill. Rejected y cas-
On motion of Mr.. Hamlin prior orders
were suspended, and the Senate proceedei TO
consider the post route bill.
Mr.. Hamlin offered an amendment appro
| priating $50 900 for the restoration OF the
fast mail trains.
Mr.. Hitchcock advocated that the fast
mail service should be extended To Omaha.
Mr.. Hamlin asked that this be left for
| future consideration.
Discussion ensued, during which Mr. Har-
vey said the people were not interested In
this matter at all. 1t was for the benefit OF
| few newspapers.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT ON INDIAN
AFFAIRS.
The Chair laid before the Senate q message
| from the President enclosing letters and tel
| egrsms from Gems. Sherman and Sheridan
on the subject OF Indian hosttlities, and re-
commencing that provision be made before
| adjournment for the increase OF the army.
He suggests an increase of the cavalry force
by 2, 500 prtvates. Also, q letter OF the Sec
Rotary OF War suggesting either the recruit
Ing OF the cavalry or call for 5000 volun-
teers.
The message was, on motion OF Mr.. Logan,
referred 10 the COMMITTEES on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. Logan submitted joint resolution re-
questing delay In the publication of the
army until the next session of Congress.
Passed.
The consideration OF the Post Route bill
was then resumed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
motion OF Mr.. Banning, (Ohio,) the Senate
bill authorizing the employment of 1000 In
dian scouts, WAS taken up and passed.
III W.