Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-25
F0rty.Fourth Congress First Session
SENATE.
Washington, January "a.

generals and vice consuls. Passed.
Mr., Stevens called up the House bill to remove
| the political disabilities of Geo. II. Hawkins of
| Fla. Passed
| The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
bill to provide for commission on the subject of
alcoholic liquor traffic.
| Mr., Sherman said the bill had been fully debat-
ed at the last session OF the Senate. The expense
involved in the proposed investigation not
over $4,000 and the result would be a vast
| amount of useful information. He believed an
| inquiry Of this kind made by sensible men, would
be of great use. No State could make the inves-
tigation because had the command of the
statistics to prosecute the inquiry.
Mr.. Bayard said that in his opinion this was not
the way, nor was this the place to treat the sub
ject. If the investigation was to be made to pro-
cure information IN regard to the taxation of
liquors, it was unnecessary, as the Secretary of
the Treasury had the fullest information in regard
to the matter No question was of more import
ancc than that of regulating the use and abuse of
Intoxicating drinks, but it could not be dealt with
safely by legislation based upon sentime ntality.
There was domain OF morals and domain Of
law. He argued that this matter within the
province of the State governments, and could not
be treated by the United States. He submitted an
amendment instructing the committee to inquire
whether the u.e of opium as substitute for al
coholic drinks had not become more general in
consequence of legislation.
Mr.. Sherman SAID the use of spiiituous liquors
was the cause Of crime in all parts OF the world
and caused beggary aad poverty. This vice was
almost universal, and it seemed to him that the
Congress of the United States nigh we'll give the
subject full and fair examination. He was not
in favor OF prohibtory laws, but he believed the
passage of this bill would promote the common
GOOD and Congress had the right to pass it.
MIR. Howe spoke III favor Of the bill, and hoped
the Senate of the T. 5. would not decline 20 make
the small appropriation asked for
Mr.. Bayaid's amendment was rejected.
MIR. Morrill, of Me. said that while the whole
question regulating the sale of intox icating drinks
belonged primarily to the States, he could see
that this bill was for the good of the whole coun-
try, and the Inquiry proposed should be made.
The use Of liquor WAS the gigantic crime of crimes
in this country.
Pending the discussion, the Senate at AIS went
into executive session and shortly afterwards sd-
journed.
HoUsE.
The following bills were introduced in the House
to-day
BY Mr.. Hereford of West Va, to restore to the
pension rolls Of pensioners of the war of 1872, the
names of the person. struck off for disoyalty.
BY Mr.. Faulkner of West Va for consideration
by the court of claims Of claims of Southern cti-
zens for quartermaster's stores and supplies.
MIR. Stone of Mo-, offered resolution instruct
ing the Post Office committee to investigate the
straw bid system. Adopted
MIR. Whitehousc of Tenn, offered q resolution
calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for in
ceeds OF captured or abandoned property. The
House refused to suspend the rules and the reso-
luton was not adopted.
Mr.. Walker of West Va, introduced bill to
remove the political disabilities of Robert Ran
some OF Va. Passed
Mr. W lizard of Mich, offered resolution in
structlng the committee on civil service reform, to
inquire what legislation i. necessary to prevent
solicitation of appointments to office, and removals
therefrom, by Senators and members Of Congress.
foll xh
was adopted:
Reso we'd, That the Secretary of the Treasury
be directed to report to this House what amount
Of specie was in the Treasury on the 3ist of Dec.
1879, designating the amount of gold and silver
respectively. Also the amount of silver purchased
under the provisions Of the act approved January
IA, 1885, entitled an act, "to provide for the re-
sumption OF specie payments" Stating the date
Of the several purchases, the price paid, and what
of cost of any such purchases of silver has
been paid for from the surplus revenue in the
Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, and what
amount OF per cent. bonds bearing gold interest
has been sold or dispose of for the purpose of pro-
viding means for the payment for said silver the
date Of the several issues of said bonds respective
ly, the amount Of interest paid therefrom, aud
the amount that will have accrued, but remain un-
paid on the day proceeding the date Of the report
made IN response to this resolution.
Mr. Morrison of H., reported a resolution d.
rectng the papers laid before the House. and the
testimony taken before the committee on Ways
and Means Of the last Congress, in regard to the
Pacific mail subsidy be taken from the Speakers
table and referred to the Judiciary committee,
with instructions to inquire what action should be
taken by the House in reference to persons now
me mbers of the House, charged with completely
in corrupt use of money for that purpose with
giving false testimony III relation thereto. Adopt
ed.
Mr.. kasson of la. offered resolution for the
dscontnuance of the annual agricultural report
publication
cultural report. Referred.
MIR. Buckner of Mo-, from the committee on
District of Columbia reported bill directing the
Commissioners for the District to pay to the
L. S. for the payment of interest on 3-65 bonds
due the first of Feb. next, Ss2222,1 97 from any
uncxpended appropriations heretofore made by
Congress. or from any revenue derived from taxa
ton; provided, that all certificates heretofore is-
sued BY the board of Notwithstanding those con-
verified in 1865 bonds and those not SO converted,
and all certificates hereafter 10 be issued by the
board of sudit-shall not exceed in the aggregate
$ij 100000.
Mr. Randall Of Pa remarked that the amount
ali eadv issued was Sli 209 900, and he was OPP
no-ed 10 allowing that amount to be increased.
Mr.. Holman of Ind. moved to amend by strik-
ing out the figures S222,7 97 and insert the words
",he sum necessary to pay the same Amend
nent agreed to.
MI Wood Of y. Y. inquired Of Mr.. Buckner
whether his committee had considered the ques-
ton whether the government was liable for these
bonds to greater amount than was due at the
time of the passage of the law.
Mr.. Buckner replied that the committee had
not inquired into that question 1t was supposed
when the bill passed that the amount would not
exceed IS, 100000, bat it had gone far beyond
that amount.
Mr. Randall moved to amend by limiting the
amount OF 3.65 bonds at Sl4 800 900, and in his
anne ndment denounced the extravaganza Of the
committees.
Mr. Holman moved to strike ont the provso
limiting the amount of the 6j bonds, and insert
ing in leu of it the following proviso: "And any
further issue of the 8 rs bonds is hereby prohib-
tied" The motion was agreed to-
Mr. Tucker of Va offered the following amend
ment: "And provided further, that nothing herein
contained shall involve the government of the
United States in any obligation to pay the princi-
pal or interest Of any bonds that have been issued
contrary to or not in pursuance Of the laws.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Kasson of Ia, offered an amendment re-
servin. from the provisions Of the bill the revenue
received for school purposes. Adopted.
The bill Is amended was passed.
Mr. Glover of Mo-, offered resolution for the
appointment of q select committee to inquire into
the nature and history ofwhst is known as Real
Estate Pool" in which Jay Cooke 4 Co. were in
| terested. Adopted.
Mr.. Banning of o., offered resolution calling
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