Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-11
FOrty.Fourth Congress First Sc sion.
SENATE.
Washington, JAM


Washington, January 10.
Senator Alcorn occupied his seat to-day for the
first time this session.
Mr.. Sargent presented the petition of 20.6l6
woman of Utah asking the repeal of the anti
polygamy law of 1862, and the Poland Bill aud
that Utah be admitted as State in the [ MON. In
presenting the petition Mr.. Sargent said he did
not concur in the object of the petitioners bat be-
leved in the RICH; of petition, and therefore laid
the matter before the Senate as requested. Re-
ierred to the committee on Territories
The chair laid before the Senate communca-
ton from the Secretery of War, showing the ex-
pendituIes made at Springfield during the past
year. Ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Thurman of Ohio presented the petition of
citizens of Ohio asking the repeal OF the resump
ton act passed at the last session, and also the
actment of law to provide for the retirement of
the national bank notes, and the substitution there
fore of legal tender notes. at the Issue of 20 con-
vertible bonds. Referred TO the committee on
Finance.
Mr. Sargent or Ca, presented the memorial of
the California wine -culturai society setting forth
various facts in regard TO the culture of the grape
vine and the manufacture OF brandy, and asking
relief Referred to committee on Finance.
Mr.. Hamlin Of Maine from the nomination on
rules reported back the resolution submitted by
Mr.. Edmunds before he holiday recess, to adopt
the joint rules of the present session with the
recommendation that II be pressed and asked its
present consideration.
In presenting the memorial, Mr.. Sargent said :
"In France one billion five hundred million gal
Ions Of wine were produced annually, valued at
three hundred million dollars. Five million peo
pie were engaged in the culture of the grape, and
it has been stated that two vinages paid the in
demniiy eyacted Of France by Germany. Cali
fornia has about the same area of land as France
and onehalf OF it is suitable TO grape culture. AT
present there 100000 vines in the State.
There is a pre- udce against California wine, and
freq emily CHER price is paid for inferior
Ar :''e The result Is that the grapes in California
frequently fed to hogs. The remedy to be
applied at present Is relaxation OF the rules
in reference to the taxation of brandy. The
memorial is the desire that there should be a
species of government warehouse provided in
which the wine should be stored, and the tax paid
to the government at the time the wine or brandy
went upon the market. The government now pay
bountes to fishermen, discrminates in the tariff
in favor of ship-building, &C. to all OF which
have no objection, but hope the same policy will
be extended to the interests of California
MIR. Sargent said he hoped the matter would be
considered by the finance committee, though he
knew no bill 10 regard to the subject could origin
ate in the Senate. The matter could come up
revenue bill Fl ON the House, and then he would
ask to be heard further on the subject
Mr.. Morton moved an amendment to except the
22d Joint rule pending the discussion of Mr. Thur
man. Further consideration of the subject was
postponed until tomorrow.
Mr.. Whyte of Md. submitted the following;
Resolved, That the people Of the several States,
acting IN their highest sovereign capacNy as 1iee
| and independent States, adopted the federal con-
st,ution and establish form Of government in
the nature of a confederate republic and for the
purpose of carrying into effect the object for which
| it was formed-delegated TO that government GER
| tain rights enumerated in said constitution, but
reserved to the states respectively or to the peo-
pie thereof all the resduary powers not dele
gated to the constitution not prohibited by it, TO
| the States
| The following was introduced:
| Resolved That the term of President pro
| tenn. of the Senate, elected at session, does
| not expire at the meeting Of Congress after the
| first recess the President not having appeared to
| take the chair.
| Resolved, That the death Of Vice President
| does not have the effect to vacate the Office o!
| President pro TEN. of the Senate.
| Resolved, That the Hon. Thomas w. Ferry,
the Senator from Michigan, who was elected Pres.
dent pro tenn of the Senate at the last session is
now Prerident pro tenn. by virtue of said election
| Ordered printed and lie on the table.
| Mr.. Withers of Va, introduced bill appro-
priating 100000 for continuing the improvement
of James river, at Richmond. Referred to COM
mittee on Commerce.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill authorizing the
appointment of receivers of National banks, ano
for other purposes. Referred to the committee OF
Finance.