The Osceola times., 1878-02-23
CONGR ESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
HOUSE.

In the house, on the llth, the speaker
announced the regular order 10 be motion
to lay on the table the motion to reconsider
the vote by which the house on last Friday
refused TO pass the bill for the relief OF W.
II. Newman and L. A. Van Hoffman, known
as the Alexander Mil bill. A motion to lay
on the table prevailed-yeas, 1876 nays, 1l9
which disposes OF the bill......Mr. Aiken
moved to amend so as to reduce the pay OF
cadets from $40 to 1900. He criticised the
action, of the appropriation committee in
several of its appropriations. In conclusion
he said that West Point was an incumbus on
the people of the country. If the people
knew for what the two hundred and seventy.
five thousan dollars was appropriated an
nually, in less than thirty days the house
would be flooded with demsnds to put West
Point under the hammer or give il to New
York. He was bold enough 10 say he would
vote for either proposition. The amendment
was rejected, and without further action the
committee rose and the house adjourned.
The house, on the 18th, went into a
committee OF the whole, Mr.. Blackburn in
the chair, on the military academy appropri>
stion bill Soon after the committee rose
the senate and house met in joint conven.
ton and received Mr., Carpenters Of "sign.
ing the Emancipation Proclamation." Mr.
vice-president announced the object for
which the two houses had convened having
been accomplished, the senate would retire
to its own chamber. The senate thereupon
retired, and the ceremony closed. Ad-
journed.
The house, on the 18th, went into
committee of the whole, Mr.. Blackburn in
the chair, on the military academy appropri.
alton bill. The debate closed, and the cons
resumed. M. Reagan's amendment was
rejected and Mr.. Clymer's agreed to, and the
bill WAS reported to the house, but without
final aetioR the house adjourned.
In the 'heuse, on the 14th, consent
being given, the speaker laid before the
house communication IRON the secretary
OF the treasury inclosing copy OF letter
to him from the commissioner OF internal
revenue, setting out that the internal rev.
enue receipts for the current fiscal year, in
cluding yesterday, as compal ed with the
same time last year, have suffered decrease
of 81, ,969,2ls and suggesting as a cause of
this decrease the agitation of the reduction
of the tax on spirits and tobacco. The secre.
tary urged upon congress, in anticipation of
the same rate OF decrease continuing during
the next fiscal year, reduction Of the appro-
priations'to he made for the service OF the
government during that fiscal year, or an in.
crease of taxation in such form as ii might
deem best. The letter from the commits
sioner OF internal revenue recommends the
passage Of a resolution in regard 10 tobacco
similar TO that passed some time ago, ia
regard to the tax on distilled spirits and de.
clare reduction OF taxation on that article
inexpedient. Referred to the committee on
ways and means =. The house then pro-
al t<Sa a.
All amendments reported from the commit.
tee were agreed TO, and the bill passed ....
The house then went into committee of the
whole on the state of the union, Southard In
the chair, and took up the bill granting pen.
sions to soldiers and sailors OF the Mexican
var and other wars. Mr.. Herbert addressed
the committee in advocacy Of the bill, and
Mr.. Powers spoke in opposition 10 IL. At the
close of Mr.. Powers speech the committee
rose .........Mr. Carlisle Introduced a bill 10
prescribe the time for the payment of the
tax on distilled spirits Referred. The house
then adjourned. Jt..
In the house, on the 18th, at the ex.
piration of the mprning. g.hour the house went
into committee Of the whole, Mr.. Hooker
in the chair..A On the private calendar, the
second bill on the calendar was one which
applies the Appropriation of $375, 900 made
mail contractors. Without action on the
bill the committee rose and the bouse ad-
journed. aTrr~ .rt
,AsexATk ~
In the senate, on the llth, a large
number Of petitions from all parts Of the
country In favor of the sixteenth amend.
ment to the constitution prohibiting the
states from disffanching persons on account
of sex were presented and referred .... AT
the conclusion Of the morning business the
senate reAumed confederation of the silver
bill and Mr.. Davis West Va spoke in favor
thereof. .... After action on a few minor mat
ters Mr.. Davis took the floor and spoke in
favor, Of silver reconciliation. When he
had closed the senate adjourned.
In the, senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Burn
side. from Che committee on military Affairs,
reported, with amendments, the senate bill
to remove all restrictions now existing in
regard to the enlistment of colorcd citizens
in any arm Of the United States army. Placed
on the calendar ...... During the morning hour
the following bills were passed: Senate bill
to constitute commission to consider and
report a pinH for YrQgidiDg enlPged pcsom.
modstiQna for, the library OF congress- senate
bin diftcting the secretary Of the treasury 70
rurcAass certain property Of the Freedmen's
sAsinss sud trust company for the use OF the