Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-03-10
CONGRESSIONAL,

After the usual business Of the morn
ing had been transacted in the senate
yesterday, Senator Gordon called up the
resolution submitted by him Tuesday,
instrucUing the committee on finance to
ascertain, if possible, what amendments
to cur revenue laws are necessary to Sc
cure economy and a certainty Of the
collection of internal revenue, aud to
prevent recurrence of official frauds iD
that branch Of the publice service. He
modified the resolution to read as fol
lows:
WHEREAS, As frequent and enormous
frauds, committed by dlstillers aud govern
ment officials have deprived the government
Of a large proportion of its legitim ate revenue,
ana brought dlsrepute upon an important
branch of the public service; and whereas
good name Of the government demand that
congress shall take immediate steps TO
amend the laws Tor economy and purity in
the collection of Internal revenue; therefore,
hesoUed, that the committee on finance be
Instructed 20 ascertain, II poSsioleS what are
the defects in the present system, and Whs !
legislation is necessary 10 reme1y these de-
feets; and especially TO inquire ID wheihtr IL
be advisable TO so amend the laws as TO levy
whisky tax directly on toe capacity OF Jne Ter
melting tubs, and require II % be collected in
adyaace: and C2) TO create a corps of excise,
TO hold Office indefinitely, removable for In
capacity or malfeasance In once.
Upon the above being real Senator
Gordon addressed the senate in favor OF
it, instituting, and succt ssiully too,
parallel between the revenue OF Eag-
land and that of the United States, very
much to the disgrace OF Grants admin
istration. He plead for the appoint
pfEs for lIfa Tho
scora of fitness and not for partisan
reasons, and pledged the Democratic
marty TO such 6 policy. BlOody-shlIt t
Morton made a characteristic reply, aud
sherman expressed it as his opinion
that Gorionfs speech was partisan for
psrtisap purposes. Gordon responded TO
both. ana was replied to by Edmunds
and Morton, both of whom were very
partisan and very bitter. In the house,
Mr.. gierce offered q resolution In
structing the committee on Indian Rf-
fairs 70 inGuire into the expediency OF
openiug up the Indian Territory for set
tiemenf, Mr.. Howell, from the postof-
fee committee, reported q bill autoor-
izing the sender OF any third class ma'l
matter to write on the outside wrapper
his name and address, with the name
and number of articles inclosed. The
hoUse went into committee OF the whole
on the Hawaiian treaty, but without ac'
tio6 rose. wbep Mr. Lewis offered Ieso'
luton in relation 70 tBe sale OF west
Poilt Caietship by Hays, form5r mem
ber OF the house from Alabama Mr'
Tucker presented set Of resolutions de-
claring ,-,..,.,,o,,
over high crimes and misdemeanors IN the
civil ofices OF the government
First-rhat the house claimed primary anu
exclusive Jurisdiction Of impeacnment IN
such cases. and that criminal ivrisdlcuon OF
such courts OF justice could not In atty de-
gree directly or Indirectly interfere with thst
OF the house ,.,..,o,.
Second-That no witnesses under the ordel 8
and no evidence OF a documentary cnara' bel
under control and in possession OF the nous
eOuld By mandate or process OF oFoerlhe
oourJ of Justice, be released or tsken IRON.
snch control CT possession without breach Cl
the privileges OF the house.
'rbird-Yhenever It shall appear, by ordel
ot COZ RI that witnesses or documentary eVl,
dence. under control Of the house, are nee11dl
| on trisl OF offenders against justice, the noust
will lake such order therein as will promote
| the ends OF Justice consistent with the pTlVll
! eyes of the house.
Referred to the Judiciary committee.