The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-15
XLVth C0ngress-ReguIar Session.


Mr.. Bayard presented a memorial of New York
banks against the silver bill.
House joint resolution declaring reduction of the
tax distilled spirits inexpedient passed. yeas 49,
nays as follows: Messrs. Bailey, Copover, Davis of
West Virginia, Dennis, McCreery, Merrimon, Nor
gan, Randolph and Ransom.
The Vice President submitted communication
from the Secretary of the Navy enclosing the report
of tue board of inquiry in regard to the loss of the
Huron, the report of Lieut. Commander Green who
buried the dead and the report of the chief of the
Bureau OF Engineering, in regard to the strength of
mittee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. voorhees, introduced resolution instructing
Kansas & Neshoe Valley Railroad. the southern
branch Of the Union Pacific Railway from Fort Rie-
ly, Kansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and railroad
from the states of Missouri and Arkansas to the Pa
cic coast have issued bonds predcated upon condi
onal land grants the lands of the Indians of the
Indian territories claimed by said companies under
these acts of Incorporation and if such bonds have
been issued to inquire in whose possession they
and for what purpose; that power be given to the
committee to send for persons and papers, and when
necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses;
committee to report during present session of Con-
gress Laid over at the suggestion of Mr.. Ingalls,
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution that on Mon
day next at o'clock, the Senate proceed to the con-
siderati Of bills on the calendar not objected to,
and each Senator desiring be allowed to speak once
not exceeding five minutes on any bill.
Mr. Salisbury objected.
The resolution was laid aside.
Mr.. Hamln submitted resolution requesting the
President If not incompatible with the public inter
est to transmit any correspondence between gov
claim OF Charles e. Hill for the charter of steamer
Kear Jear. Agreed to.
MI. Ferry called up the Senate bill to regulate the
compensation OF postmasters, being that reported
from the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads,
with amendments, on the 9TH inst.
Pending discussion the morning hour expired and
the bill was laid over.
Senate resumed the consideration of the silver bill.
Mr. Jones of Nevada, spoke in favor.
Mr.. Wadeigh Of New Hampshire. spoke against.
MI. Blaine introduced his bill which accompanied
his speech made last week.
Adjourned till tomorrow, when the vote on the
silver bill will be taken.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Gibson, of Louisiana, rising to question of
privilege said he repudiated the intimation or
been engaged in any bargain in regard to the
Presidency which reflected the honor of that
state. During his remarks Mr. Hale inquired if the
gentleman sustans the prosecutions that have been
and are now going on against the Returning Board.
Mr. Gibson-If the men have been guilty of any
violation of the laws of that state the authorities are
perfectly right in prosecuting them.
Mr. Hale-Ihen the gentleman does not dis
cOuntenance it.
thinks 1t is not right to prosecute them.
Mr.. Hals-Does the gentleman ask what think;
think the whole proceeding the greatest outrage
which ever occurred 10 American history because L
believe it political prosecution under the guise of
process Of law. decisive laughter on the
Mr.. Gibson-I do not yield to tie gentleman to
denounce the people of the state of Louisiana.
Since ! have been on this floor the gentleman
from Maine has omitted no OCCASION to denounce
the people Of Louisiana. have treated his former
denunciations as treat this with the contempt they
merit.
Mr.. Gibson continued his remarks at the con
clusion Of which Mr.. Hale OF Maine rose to reply
but was met with cries of regular order from the
Democratic side.
Mr.. Hale then moved to adjourn, but Withdrew
the motion at request of the speaker.
The Speaker submitted communication from the
Secretary OF the Treasury nclosiDg copy of let
ter to him from the Commissioner OF Internal Reve
nue. setting out that the internal receipts
for he
compared with the same period of tie last fiscal
year. suffered decrease Of $4,000, 21S Sc, and sug-
ing as one cause OF the decrease the agitation of
ducton OF the tax on spirits and tobacco The Sec
rotary urged in anticipation of the rate of de-
crease during the next fiscal year that reduction of
appropriations be made ter the service of the gov
eminent during that year an increase of taxation
in such form as Congress might deem best.
Inc letter from Ihe commissioner OF Internal
Revenue recommends the passage of resolution in
regard to tobacco similar to that passed some time
ago in regard to the tax on distilled spirits, declaring
the reduction OF the tax on that article was inexpe
dent.
After short debate the communication was, on
motion OF Mr.. Tucker referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.
At this point message was received from the
Senate stating that that body had passed the House
resolution declaring reduction OF the tax on whis-
Mr. Butler offered resolution relative to the dis
position OF certain military funds. Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The House then proceeded to act on the military
academy BILL All the amendments reported from
bill passed
The House then went into Coumittee of the Whole |
Southard in the chair aud took up the bill granting
pensions to the soldiers and sailors of the Mexican
and other wars.
After short discussion the Committee rose.
Mr. Bragg introduced bill regulating The military
establishment of the United States in time OF peace
the army. Referred.
Mr.. Cox Of New York, from the Committee on /
Foreign Affairs, reported the bill authorizing Capts.
VIM NJ Berry OF the army and VIM E. Hopkins OF |
the navy to accept decorations from the KING of the
Hawaiian Islanas. Passed.
Mr.. Carlisle introduced bill to prescribe the time
Tor the payment of the tax on distilled spirits. Re-
ferred.
ME- Martin, from the Committee on Revolutionary /
PENSIONS, reported bill amending the laws grant,
ing pentfons to the soldiers of the of 1872. Re-
Adjourned.