Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-02-13
Congressional.

FRIDAY, Feb. 1.-HOuSe-During the
morning hour bill was introduced and
referred to provide for funding the
national debt. Mr.. Baker rose TO a
question Of privilege making some
serious charges against the door keeper
of the house; this brought on long and
bitter discussion partaking Of political
nature; at the conclusion of which the
house adjourned until Monday.
MONDAY, Feb. 4.-Sendte.--A great part
of the morning hour was taken up in
the presentation of petitions from all
parts of the country. Among them
demonstrating against changes in the
present tariff duties and the restoration
of a tax on tea and coffee all of which
were referred. Bills were introduce
ed and referred : regulating the
Authorization and use Of proxies
in meetings of shareholders in
national banking associations. Referred
The following bills were introduced and
referred; to incorporate the Ma
tional Pacific Railway and Telegraph
Company; supplementary to joint
resolution in relation to Paris EXPOSE
ton. The bill authorizes the president
to appoint Is additional commissioners.
Mr.. Saunders asked the present consid-
Grafton but objection was made. At
the expiration of the morning hour con-
sideration Of the silver bill was resumed.
Mr.. Peck submitted an amendment dl-
recting the secretary of the treasury to
purchase from time to time, silver bull
lion not leas than three million dollars
per month or as much more as can be
coined at the minis of the United States,
the United States to have the bene.
fit Of the gain or the seignOrage;
provided whenever the market price
of silver bullion is such that it cannot
be purchased at less than par in legal
tenders, he shall give notice Of the fact,
and any citizen of the United States
owning bullion may deposit the same
ut the mint, and have it coined. The
amendment further provides that the
sub-treasury coinage shall contain the
same relative quality of pure and
standard silver as the silver dollar.
MONDAY, Feb. 4.-Hou@.- were
introduced and referred during the
morning hour: authorizing the pay
ment of customs in legal tender notes;
providing that all bonds hereafter
issued by the government shall be
payable, principal and interest III gold,
silver or legal tender notes: to reduce
tax on brandy made from apples, peaches
or grapes IS cents; for constitutional
amendment providing for the election
Of president by direct vote of the peo-
pie; making the receivers Of
railroad corporations amenable to pro.
cesses and judgments Of courts of the
several states through which said rail-
roads are run.
Mr. Mcmahon moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolutions, reciting
that in the present condition of public
distress it is important that the wealth
Of the country shall be evenly. fairly
and proportionately taxed, and instruct
ing the committee OH ways and means
to report bill at the earliest moment
imposing graduated tax on the ex-
cess OF incomes above reasonable
minimum, to lee fixed bv
law. Defeated; yeas, 165; nays, So;
less than two-thirds in the affirmative.
The affirmative votes came chiefly
from the democrats and the negatives
from the republicans.
Mr.. Ellsworth presented an affidavit
from the doorkeeper denying Us utterly
without foundation, the charges against
his official integrity made on atiidavits,
and earnestly requesting the investiga-
ton on the part of the house. Referred
to the committee on civil service re-
form. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, Feb 5.-Sendte the
Senate the finance committee
reported with amendment the
bill introduced by him some time ago
to authorize long bond for an invest
ment for savings placed on the calen-
dar. He gave notice that he would
call it up for consideration at an early
day. Mr.. Edmunds submitted a reso-
luton instructing the committee on APP
preparation to make provision for the
employment of additional clerical
force in the pension and
surgeon generals Office to promptly
examine and dispose of all claims for
pensions. He asked for the present
consideration of the resolution, but Oh
lection was made by Mr.. Davis, of
West Virginia, and it was laid over I'M
til tomorrow. Mr. Tiller sub
mitted the following; That hold
ers of silver bullion may deposit
with the treasurer or assistant trea-
surer of the United States such sill
yer bullion in amounts not less than
1000 ounces of 900 fine, and receive
therefor certificates not less than one
hundred dollars each computing dollar
412I grains. the bullion so received
may be coined by the government of
the United States, or returned in the
! e -.,,nl. L.