Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-20
EORTT.EIFTR CONGRESS.
MEDNESDAY March q


SENATE.-MemOrialSr demonstrating against
the reenactment of the income tax were pre-
sented by Senator'S. Hamlin, Eaton, Cockrell,
and Armstrong
Memorials and petitions were also presented
as follows By Mr. Morgan-From citizens of
Selma, Ala, asking for government aid in the
conStructiOn of railroad from PittSburg to
the Paclhc ocean. Mr.. Morgan stated that he
was opposed to all such legislation. By Mr..
HOar-frotesting against change in the tariff
laws. Also. that the life saving service be
GOh.nued under its present management.
troduced by Mr.. Cockrell providing for the
improvement OF the navigation of the MissiS-
Bills were introduced as follows:-By Mr..
WINDOW, from the committee on apprOpria-
uons, deficiency bill relating to the contin-
gent fund OF the House of Representatives.
and other matters. BY Mr.. Hoar from the
committee on claims, a bill for the relief of the
Female Institute of Richmond, Va. By Mr..
Spencer, from the committee on military af
glnla for moneys expended during the late
war referred to the committee on claims:
BY Mr. Mi5ehelI-A bill for the protection of
Mr.. Morrill, obtained leave to have printed
for the use of the Senate, the statement made
by the Secretary of the Treasury before the
nnance committee, relating to the repeal Of
resumption act.
The bill to amend section 2,464 of the Re
vlsed Statutes was then taken up, and after
some debate paSSed-ayeS 80. noes L.
The Vice President announced as the con
ference committee on the part of the Senate
on on the Military Academy appropriation DILL
MeSsrs. Window, Blaine and Withers.
On motion on Mr.. Gordon. the bill for the
removal of the political disabilities Of Robert
II. Chllten, OF Georgia, was taken up and
Mr.. Howe offered the following resolution:
Re$Otred, That the President be requested, if
not Incompatible with the pubic Interest, to
inform the Senate whether w. X. Whitaker,
who recently presided in the supreme criminal
court OF the parish of New Orleans, was
formerly employed either in the internal reve-
nue. service or as assistant treasurer at New
Orleans: IL so. during what period of time:
whether in either Of said capacities the said
Whitaker is a defaulter to the United States,
and to what amount and under what circum-
stances: whether legal proceedings have been
taken against Whitaker. either civil on crimi-
nal. and with what result; whether such pro-
ceedings are still pending, or, if discontinued.
when they were discontinued and by whose
direction
OUSE.-Alr. Stephens Introduced a reSOlu-
ton, which was adopted, directing the COM
mittee on rules to inquire into the eXpediency
and propriety of having prepared an index of
the journals of Congress from the foundation
of the government to the present time.
Mr.. banning introduced a resolution. which
was agreed to, requesting the Secretary of the
Treasury to inform the House whether the
transfer of certain records of the War depart
ment to the Pension bureau would not facili-
tate the adjustment of claims for pensioners.
and effect saving OF expense, and what OBJ
| Il.
Mr.. Cole presented memorial of citizens of
Missouri. protesting against the transfer of the
Hot Springs park to private parties. Referred
to committee on public lands.
The regular order was demanded. and the
House resumed the consideration of the bill to
regulate the advertising of mail lettings
which came over from the morning hour of
yesterday.
Mr.. Singleton explained the bill, and advo-
Gated lis adoption saying 1t had the sanction
of the Postmaster General.
q SniI
would be within the power OF a single clerk at
the instance OF the contractors residents in
Washington, to Withhold the necessary in
formation from those at distance who might
prove dangerous competitors. He protested
against this little economy. 1t was not in the
direction of true economy or fair dealing.
hlr. BaOu said the object was, by increasing
the number OF papers, to make the notice more
general
Mr. McGnnes advocated an extension of
time. so that parties i'll the territories could
have time to obtain schedules and put in bids
Mir. W ait said the practice had been that by
! some defect in the law parties here in Wash
| them to people in his state at very low rates
Ieaping a large profit on the toll of those who
did the work.
! MI. Reed said there were men in Washing
| ton who bid little under the Old rates and
! Obtained the contract. They then went to the
old carriers, who had their stock on hand,
which would not sell at half price, and these
men, to save their investments, were com
| PEELED to take the routes at less than paying
rates.
| Mr.. Hale said he would offer an amendment
| that would test the sense of the House on this
| abuse. His amendment provides that no
| bidder shall sub-let contract: and on it com
| ing to the knowledge of the Postmaster Gene
! raj that contract was Sublet, it shall be
| treated as null and void. and readvertsed
! Mr.. Blount thought better plan would be
not to nulify the contract, but direct the Post
| master General to recognize the subcontrac
tor.
Mr.. Waddell SAID the whole subject was
surrounded with embarrassmentS. There
were two sides to it. Under the present law
Sub-letting or assigning contracts was pro.
hibited. The committee on post offices and
post roads had had the matter under con-
sideratiOn, and hoped to reach a satisfactory
solution.
Mr.. Page said the Post Office department
had recently decided that power Of attorney
to a person employed to carry the mail was
evidence of sub-cOntract, and had refused
to recognize such powers of attorney He
did not think the amendment of MI Hale
would accomplish the object sought.
MIR. McGnneSS' amendment extending the
time of notice to sixty days was agreed to-
MI. Hale'S amendment was also adopted
and as amended the bill was passed
On motion of Mr.. Foster. the House resolved
into committee of the whole on the general
deficiency appropriation bill, (Mr. Hunton, of
Va, in the chair.l