Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-15
House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, March 13.-Mr. Hardenburgh
introduced a bill regulating the reserve fund
of national banks. The bill authorizes such
banks to dispose of their reserve fund and in
vest the same in United States bonds, which
bonds shall constitute the reserve fund of such
associations. Referred.
Mr. Durham, from the committee on expend-
itures in the department of justice, reported
bill limiting to $4,000 the compensation of
clerks of district and circuit courts, when one
person holds both offices. Passed.
During the morning hour was discussed a
bill reported from the committee on expendi-
lures in the department Of justice limiting the
number of special attorneys appointed TO
assist district attorneys to one and limiting the
fee to $4,000. The bill finally passed and the
House went into committee Of the whole on
bill extending to three years the time for with
drawing distilled liquors from bond.
Mr.. sayler stated the purpose of the resolu-
ton. It's principal object was to extend the
bond period Of whisky to three years instead
of one year, as now provided by law. In other
words, it was to give to alcoholic spirits man u
featured in this country the same privileges
that are given to liquors imported from Europe
and put in a bonded warehouse.
Mr.. Conger said this resolution was an old
ACQUAINTANCE. LIS lace was FAMILIAR to him
and the House. 1t had been here before. The
principal claim at that time was that the ex-
pectation of change Of the tax on distilled
spirits, wholly disarranged business and threat
ened with loss and bankruptcy those engaged
in the business. That claim had been prompt
ly met by the adoption of resolution that
it was the solemn judgment of the House that
it was inexpedient to change the tax on
whisky. Now, under the apparently slim
ulating power Of five years old whisky
the House was asked to extend the time of pay
ing the tax, not three months, as before pro-
posed, but three years. He could not account
for the boldness of the movement. Was 1t
true, as they were informed on the other side
of the House, that the treasury needed all the
revenue it could get? That the expenditures
must be cut down in all departments of the
government? If that were SO, how could the
government afford to postpone for three years
the collection of the tax on distilled spirits
He would leave it to the gentlemen whose dis.
tricts were threatened with bankruptcy by the
tariff bill being concocted in secret, in corne,
of the capitol, by committee which forbade
approach. and kept out all information, TIL,
manufacturers of whisky seemed to think there
marvellous tendency to favor whisky
in the House. Laughter There seemed t,
be an opinion that it was safe to appeal to Con
gress to favor the whisky interest and to de
stroy all other interests.
Mr.. Butler said he understood the bill
thoroughly and was quite ready to agree to it
general object, as matter of relief. That was
to lend, at five per cent. for two years, al
amount of money equal to the tax on whisky
The government could borrow money at fou
per cent. and this would be gain of one pc
cent. That was all there was in it, but he wa
opposed to anything that looked like favorin
speculate on. If the promoters of the measu1
d1d not mean that they would agree to a