The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-05-22
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

committee on Mr.. Beck's resolution to suspend
the operation Of the sinking fund act, and the
committee was discharged from further con-
sideration Of the matter. The House bill to
place Gen. Shields on the retired list WAS re-
ported without recommendation 1.-The con-
ference committees report on the naval appro-
priation bill was concurred in... The bill to
repeal the bankrupt law was discussed during
the rest OF the session, and various amendments
voted down. A proposition was made to refer
the bill to q special committee Of three, and,
pending action, the Senate adjourned.
The tariff question came up on Mr.. Blaine
call ng up the resolution declaring any radical
change in the tariff laws inopportune, for the
purpose of having q vote on it. The discus
sion that followed consumed the morning
hour, and the resolution WAS laid over.....The
bill to repeal the bankrupt law came up, and
was discussed at some length. The motion for
q special committee was rejected: Amend
ments referring to pending proceedings under
the law, and providing that the repeal should
not operate before Jan. 1, 1879. were adopted,
the latter By rs to %. The bill was then re-
ferred to the judiciary committee to perfect the
saving clause. 90. The bill to repeal the specie
resumption act was taken up, but the Senate
soon afterward% adjourned.
The Senate judiciary committee reported the
bill to repeal the bankrupt act with a perfected
bhYluH Clduboy DuG ODJCSlAOu q k1AesNS W AA
mediate consideration go. The resumption re-
peal bill was called up and discussed at some
length and then laid aside go: The bill agreed
on by the post-ofice committee to establish
steam mail service to Brazil was submitted as
an amendment to be proposed to the postal
appropriation bill. Adjourned.
There now being s10, 900, 900 held in the
United States treasury, originally reserved for
the redemption Of fractional currency, in con-
Ln f-oo4fn~ot Or1rrarnr houinn
been DESTROYED, Representative Phillips, Of
Kansas, was instructed by the House commit
tee on banking and currency to frame a bill, to
be submitted to the committee at the next ses-
sion, having in view the release Of this sum in
order that it may enter into circulation in
denominations Of 81 and 80.
MIR. Mcdonald, Of Indiana, presented q petit
ton signed by a large number Of persons pray
ing that Gen. John G. Fremont be included
in the bill now pending to place Gen. James
Shields on the retired list Of the army. Re-
MIR. Gordon, of Georgia, spoke in favor Of the
repeal OF the specie resumption act, and said
he would seek to present q single proposition,
which he had no doubt no could prove, and
that was that ill-advised legislation vas the
prime cause Of our financial depression to-day.
49,. The pension bill was reported and dis
cussed without action. Adjourned.
hsThe Post.ofice appropriation bill Was report
ed with amendments. Tho proposed amend
ment granting q subsidy to the Brazilian
steamship line was also reported. The House
bill forbidding the retirement of greenbacks
was called up, read q second time, when q
motion to refer it the committee on finance
was offered and discussed without action....
The pension bill was discussed at considerable
length. Mr.. Edmunds moved to strike out the
second section Of the bill, which, as agreed
upon, reads, "From and after the passage OF
this act, in case Of vacancy from any cause, the
Office Of pension agent shall be filled by wound
ed or disabled Union soldiers, or the widows
or daughters Of Union soldiers" The motion
was rejected by 80 to 20 and the bill was then
passed. 800. The Indian appropriation bill was
called up and discussed without action. Ad-
journed.
The legislative, executive, and judicial ap-
preparation bill was discussed in committee Of
the whole, the House making several amend
ments, but not completing the bill. The
committee on Mississippi levees reported a bill
appropriating S3,871,574 for repairing the le-
wees. Adjourned.
MIR. Reagan, Of Texas, reported q bill to reg
ulate interstate commerce and prohibit unjust
discrimination by common carriers. Mr.. Rea-
gan explained that the object Of the bill was to
prevent discrimination in charges for freight
by railroads, so that no greater rate should be
charged to one shipper than to another. The
corporations we're also forbidden from enter
ing into combinations for the purpose Of dis
eliminating against persons or places. The
only other material provision was that they
should not charge more for shorter distances
than for longer distances on the same line Of
rriage. ... Consideration of the legislative ap-
preparation bill was resumed. Adjourned.
The House committee on agriculture has
reported its bill to regulate the transportation
of cattle. The only important amendments re-
commended provide that cattle shall be I'M
loaded and placed in dry pens, for the purpose
of being fed and watered, at least once in
twenty-four hours, instead OF once in twenty
eight hours, unless they are transported in cars
which admit of their being watered and fed
and properly cared for within the car. And
the amendment forbids the owners of cattle
wards from charging exorbitant rates for hay,
etc, at points where cattle are unloaded to be
fed.
A bill declaring it unwise to waste time
discussing the Wood tariff bill at present, was
introduced. Mr.. Wood moved to refer it to his
committee, and Mr.. Page moved to refer it to
the committee OF the whole, which latter was
agreed to by 1875 to IS. IA motion to suspend
the rules and pass n bill reducing the tobacco
tax failed of a two-thirds vote....The bill to
establish q permanent government i'll the Dis
trict of Columbia was discussed without action.
Adjourned. .
The tariff bill came up and was opposed by
Mr.. Banks, Of Massachusetts MIR. Single
ton, Of Mississippi, made a conference report
on the bill to regulate tho advertising OF mail
lettings. Agreed to-. MIR. Butler, Of Massa-
chusetts, introduced a bill to provide for a
tariff commission. Adjourned.