The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-03-07
IN CONGRESS.
senate.

nNOe 10 postpone pSnulny anu ali prior or
ders, ard proceed TO the consideration Of
that bill
Mr.. THURMAN, from the committee on
judiciary, reportrted, with amendments, the
Senate bill known as the Pacific Railroad
sinking fund bill, and it was placed on
the calendar. He gave notice that he
would call the bill up for consideration on
Tuesday.
Mr.. COCKRILL introduced n bill to au-
thorize the deposit of silver bullion and
bars, and the issue OF certificates therefor,
and it was referred TO the committee on
finance. 1t authorizes persons to deposi,
such bullion or bars and the issue OF Ger
tihcates therefor by the Secretary Of the
Treasury in sums OF not less than twenty
dollars, in the same form as certificates now
issued by gold bullion. Such certificates TO
be.receivable at par for duties and imports
and all public dues.
MIR. BAYARD stated that the Senator in
charge of unfinished business MIR. Wallace,
being the long bond bill, was unavoidably
absent. He, therefore, moved that 1t bt
passed over for the pr, sent, with the under
standing that it should not lose its place as
unfinished business. Ordered.
Anumber Of bills on the calendar, not
objected 10, were passed.
Mr.. WINDOW presented resolution
from the Minnesota legislature favoring the
appropriation for the prompt and thorough
Improvement Of the Mississippi river from
the falls of st. Anthony Ito New Orleans
Referred. He gave notice that at some
convenient time he would ask indulgence to
submit some remarks on this subject.
MIR. PADDOCK submitted an amend
ment to the river and harbor bill, provid
ing for the continuation OF the survey and
improvement in the Missouri river al
vile, Neb. Ordered printed.
By Mr.. BRUCE.-ro authorize the pay
ment of bouuties 10 the heirs OF soldier:
who were enlisted as slaves. Referred.
By Mr.. FERRI.-To repeal certain pro-
visions of an act OF Congress, approved July
II, 1876, entitled IAN Act making an ap
preparation for the postoflice depart
ment." Referred. 1t repeals SO mach
of the thirteenth section Of that ac
as provided that railroad companies whost
railroad was constructed in whole or il
part by land grant, made by Congress, on
condition that the mails should be trans
ported. over their road at such price a:
Congress should by law direct; that they
should receive only 50 per cent. Of the com
pensation authorized by the act, and pro.
vides that such roads shall be paid at rate,
fixed by law for compensation for such ser
vices to railroads generally.
Mr.. PADDOCK submitted an order that
papers in relation to the establishment of 8
United States mint at Omaha be taken from
the files Of the Senate and referred to the
committee on finance. Agreed to.
Mr.. TELLER submitted resolutions di-
recting the Secretary OF the Treasury Il
transmit to the Senate an estimate oi th'
amounts required to enable the government
to coin both gold and silver AT the mint a
Denver, and also what time will be re
auired to put said mint in condition to coil
gold and silver. Agreed to.
Mr.. COCKRELL submitted resolution
referring the claim of Mr.. LuddingtOn Il
the committee on claims. Referred.
Mr.. COCKRELL called up the hous
| bill tr authorize the construction Of bridg
across the Missouri river at or near Glas
gov, Mo- Passed.
Mr.. DORSEY called up the Senate bill
| authorizing the Arkansas River Trauste
Company to construct bridges across tn
Arkansas river. Passed.
After the executive session the Senate al
journed.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 5.-Mr
| THURMAN introduced bill to prohibi
| members OF congress from becoming sure
| ties on certain bonds. Referred.
A great part of the morning hour wa,
occupied in reporting and considering bill
of no public Importance.
Mr.. WALLACE, who is in charge of the
unfinished business-the long bond bill, be-
ing still unavoidably absent, the bill was
passed over for the present, with the under
standing that it should retain Its place as
unfinished business.
Mr.. SPENCER, from the committee on
military affairs, reported, adversely. on the
Senate bill extending the time for present
ing claims for collecting, drilling or organ
izing volunteers for the war OF the rebel
lion, and it was Indefinitely postponed. lie
also reported from the same committee
favcrably, on the House joint resolution
providing for issuing arms and ammuni'
ton to the territory of Idaho under the acl
OF July 3rd, 1876. Passed.
Mr.. BECK called up the resolution submit
ted by him on the Dist of January, declar,
ing it inexpedient at this time to levy and
collect taxes for the maintenance OF Il sink
ing tund, and spoke at length in favor OF
his resolution.
Mr.. BECK opposed the reference Of the
resolution to the committee on finance, and
favored the immediate adoption of the res
olution. He quoted from his previous ar
guments on the subject and said we could
not, under the present system, compete with
less heavily burdened people in the markets
Of the world. Our whole system of federal
taxation was an unjust and heavy one.
The Vanderbilts, Astors and Stewards, with
their colossal fortunes, did not contribute
any more towards the support
of the Government than the poor
laboriDg man. He argued that the wealth
of the country should give its first share
towards the expenses Of the government.
We might remonetize silver, repeal the
specie resumption act, and do many
other things which he thought should be
done, vet, as long As the present system Of
taxation should be maintained, there
could be no real prosperity. He quo
ted from reports to show the
extent of American ship building, and
said the tonnage for the whole year did not
equal that OF one first-class vessel for for
eign commerce in 1861. Our commerce was
rapidly passing that OF Great Britain, but
had rapidly fallen off. He favored repeal
of the navigation laws and a high protect
i've tariff, which, he said, had well nigh de-
stroyed our commercial marine. Our need
for ships had increased, but We could not
get them on account of our navigation and
tariff laws. The sinking fund was now
in a condition to meet all pledges,
and there was not the least necessity for
levying taxes for it at present.
He again referred to our commerce and
said he was opposed to all subsidies. Com
petition must be encouraged and combina-
tions discountenanced. He favored free
ships stores the removal of all taxation on
ships and their supplies. So far as We
were now concerned He'll Gate in New
York harbor might as we'll remain closed,
and the mouth Of the Mississippi remain
unimproved, as foreign ships were only
benefited by their improvement.
The people Of this country
we're combination and cooperation ridden
people. He favored an imposition of tax
on incomes 50 as to raise twenty-three mil
lion dollars per annum, and said refusal
of Congress to levy taxes for the thirty
seven millions for sinking fund, would be
great benefit to the people. He referred
to the petitions of Drexel and Others, re-
Gently presented, demonstrating against
re-imposition of the income tax, and said
labor was now taxed beyond everything.
Poverty bore the burdens Of the Govern