The Portland daily press., 1878-05-24
XLVth COngress-ReguIar Session.
SENATE,

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May %.
Mr. Window, from the appropriation committee
reported the legislative, judicial appropriation bill
with several amendments.
:, Mr. Johnston OF Virginia introduced bill to au.
thorize the West Point Commercial Company OF
Virginia to do business in foreign countries. Re-
ferred.
Mr. Davis of West Virginia called up the res olu-
tion authorizing select committee to investigate
the finance reports, books, etc, of the Treasury
department TO CT 0ntinue the investigation and sit
during the recess OF the Senate.
The resolution was amended by striking out the
words land sit.'' it beng understood that the in
vestigaion would be continued so far to allow the
experts now examining the books of the Treasury
department to commune that work and as amended
the resolution was agreed to without further dis
cussiOn.
At the expiration of the morning hour the Senate
resumed consideration of the bill providing for per-
manent government for the District of Columbia.
After taking up the District of Columbia bill the
pending question being amendment of Mr..
Bayard requiring the two commissioners appointed
each, it was agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted an amendment forbdding
any officer of the district from becoming surety
upon any bond required to be given to the district
The second section of the bill was then agreed to as
amended.
The third section providing for the assessment and
collection of taxes, expenditures, etc., was read.
The section was then amended on motion of Mr..
Rollins to provide thai the com mssioners may
borrow the money only the first fiscal year after the
act shall take effect, ana that it be repaid out of the
revenues of that year.
Mr. Eaton moved to amend SO as to provide that
the rate of interest to be paid on the borrowed
money shall be instead of per cent as provided by
the C, mmittee. Agreed to.
Bayard moved to amend SO as to pr ovlde that tn
rate of taxation shall not exceed $3.50 every $1OO
Tor real estate and on the personal property OF
a resident 81 on every 500 according to the cash
valuation, etc. Agreed to, yeas 20, nays 21.
MI. sargent moved to amend the second part of
the amendment to tax personal property ST.
each 800 of the cash valuation thereof instead of
81 on each 500 as the senator from Delaware pro-
posed.
Pending the discussion on this amendment Mr.
Hoar OF Massachusetts submitted an amendment
exempting from taxation $1,000 of the value of
homesteads OF house holders having family provid-
iug the value of such homestead does exceed $3OO0
Rejected
MIR. Sargent's amendment was theu agreed to.
Mr. Iogalls submitted an amendment to provide
that only personal property be taxed which is not
Mr.. Salisbury submitted an amendment for de-
duction OF per cent upon taxes paid within ten
days after notice given by the collector that he
was ready to receive them. Agreed to.
Mr.. Bayard submitted an amendment fixing the
rate of taxation upon rural property at 81 upon each
$10O of cash vau tiou thereof.
Pending tue discussion Mr. Christancy of Michi-
igan introduced bill to amend Sec 1885, r S. in
reg regard to summonng witnesses before departments
officers appointed to investigate claims against the
United States Referred to the Judiciary committee
The President pro tem announced as conference
committee on joint resolution in regard strength
eping the foundation of the Washington monument,
Mesrs. Dawes, ingalls, and Eustis
MT Blaine, from the naval committee reported
favorab y on the Senate bill to place Lieut.. Com
mander GreenIeaf Cilley on the active list of the
navy, he now being on the retired list Placed on
the calendar.
Senate went into executive session aud when the
doors were reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Garland called up the resolution reported by
him from the committee on rules amending the
House rules.
1he first amendment is to ruls 112 aud provides
that all bills coming 10 the House from the Senate
approprating money, land or property OF the United
shall in tba
mittee of the whole, and all the Senate amendments
to the House bills not german to the subject matter
OF such bills as originally passed by the House shall
whole. =.
Mr.. Mills opposed the position as tending to
defeat the will OF the majority of the House.
After short discussion the whole matter was on
motion of Mr. Conger laid ON the table.
s to thg on question OF personal
citizens of the parishes of East and West Felicina
which il true would compel him to retire in shame
from his seat. He sent to the Clerks desk and had
read that portion of Secretary Sherman's letter to
Mr.. Clarkson N Potter in which he refers to the
election in those parishes.
MIR. Burchard of Illinois raised the point of order
that nothing contained in that paragraph reflected
on the gentleman from Louisiana (R9bsrtson)
Mr.. Hale stated that Secretary Sherman had been
charged personally in the resolution appointing the
investigating committee and has simply denied his
guilt and affirmed his Innocence.
The Speaker pro tenn. ruled that unless the GENTLE
man from Louisiana could state that the letter re-
fiected upon him he could not claim the floor on a
quOouVh VI pcIsOndl I1o Cnalr could not,
however, decide before having heard the gentleman
whether he was connected in any way with the state
ments made in the letter.
Mr.. Robertson then proceeded TO make a general
statement as to the election in East and West Fe-
lclana, but was interrupte by the Speaker Fro tem
who reminded him that all that was remota from a
question OF personal privilege.
Burchard-Unless the gentleman connects himself
with the frauds he speaks of. Laughter)
koberJson-l do not connect myself with these
Iauos by denouncng them and by branding the
charge 1n that letter as calumny. There was
conspiracy in those parishes and believe John Sher
man was connected with it.
The House then at 1 o'clock went into the co nmit-
te zee oI the whole on the army. appropriation b
ing to tx the strength of the army at $4,000 instead
OF 10000 men.
Mr.. Harrison spoke iu reference to the telegram
read yesterday from Governor Williams of Indiana
to the President last summer, asking for aid to pre-
serve order, and stated in a semi jocular manner
that that application arose from Blue Jean Williams
regard for economy. He knew the government had
arms and ammunition in the arsenal at indianapolis
and he wanted to get them for tue purpose of armng
ms poLce and millda. In contrast with that tee-
gram he quoted from the testimony of Gov Stearns
OF Florida as to the use of troops in that state to con-
troll the election.
Mr. Lapham defended and justified the use of
troops last year in South Carolina, for although thew
preserved the peace he dill not remember of single
occasion when they had mterfered in an election in
that state. Az
Mr. Henderson of Illinois was opposed to military
domination in the states, but it was greater harm
70 nave IN states an army under control of the law
than to allow ilitary clubs or political foundations
W ln1ndate tne people hom exercising their rights
as American citizens
MI. White OF Pennsylvania favored the amend
ment hxlng the strength of the army at q, ,OOO
MIR. Ellis in Oppoeition to the amendmen saidt he
had been informed reliable authority that some oS
districts in the South already marked for tbe
tread OF the soldier in the next election
Mr.. Banks-What twenty districts are marked
out? 0"
Mr.. Ellis-I eau tell the gentleman; three in Mis-.
sissippl two in South Carolina two in Louisiana and
as to the balance will furnish him with that infnr
nation hereafter. 'i
Mr.. Banks-Who does that information come
from? 0
Mr.. Ellis-I will not tell the gentleman now but he
will hear shortly and when he does he will think an
earthquake has broken around his ewes WI
Mr.. Williams OF Michigan opposed any reduction
of the army.
MIR, Cox of New York offered an amendment to re-
uuce the army 70 $4,000. Rejected.
at 900. Rejected. ~ -""iper
Inc question then REQUIRED on Throckmorton's
amenument increasing the strength of the army
from ZouoO as provided in the bill to 25 JOO its pres
ent 1orce ana 1T was agreed to, lis to H. The ol
vote in the affirmatjye: -N'P"oii0an
outer OF n. D., Patterson of Col Williams of
Wien Kobe tson Of La, Wgginton Of Cal. and ali
negative ~ '0A III ene
MI roster moved to strike out all the bill after the
pirdgrap9 Just disposed Of and submitted a proyis-
ION ptoviuih LOT board of three major generals TO
examine and report on the Organization and the