The Portland daily press., 1878-02-05
XLVth C0ngress-Regulara Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.
The greater part OF the morning hour in the Sem
ate was taken up in the presentation Of bills, petit
tions, &c.
Mr.. Dawes introduced a bill regulating and aa-
thenticatng the of proxies in meetings of share-
holders in national banking associations.
Mr.. Hamlin presented petition of the citizens of
Bangor, Me-, asking an additional appropriation for
Improvement of that harbor. Referred to Committee
on Commerce
Mr.. Morrill, presented petition of the Governor of
Vermont in favor of the rigid enforcement of the act
of July 81 1901 in regard to the payment to the
eral states entitled thereto the sums due them for
armng and equippng troops for the federal govern
ment. Referred to the Committee on Military At
fairs.
Mr.. Maxey, from the Committee on Military Az
fairs, reported. with amendments, the Senate bill
amending section 1861 Revised Statutes, relative to
an annual appropriation for a militia force Of the
United States. Placed on the calendar.
bill.
:, Mr.. Beck submitted an amendment directing the
Secretary OF the Treasury to purchase from time to
time silver bullion, not less than $3,000,000 per
month. or as much more as can be coined at the
mints the United States to have the benefit of the
gain seignorage provided that whenever the mar
ket price of silver bullion is such that it be
purchased at less than in legal tenders, he shall
give notice of the fact, and then any citizen of the
United States owning bullion may deposit the same
at the mint and have it coined. The amendment
further provides that subsidiary coinage shall con-
tain the relative quantity of pure and standard
silver as the silver dollar.
After Mr.. Beck explained his amendment briefly
Mr. Bayard took the floor and spoke in opposition to
the silver bill.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bayard's remarks, Mr..
Eaton took the floor, but before commencing his re-
marks yielded to motion to adjourn and the Senate
adjourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Among the bills introduced and referred Is by
Mr. Southland authorizing the payment of customs in
all bonds hereafter issued should be payable princi
pal and interest, in gold, silver or legal tender
notes.
Mr.. Hook moved to suspend the rules for the pur-
pose Of considering bill authorizing special term
OF the U. S. Circuit and District Courts for the
southern district OF Mississippi. for the purpose o.
ed to be obtained by depredations on timber lands
belonging to the United States. Defeated, yeas 145
nays 81. less than two thirds in the Affirmative.
Mr.. Glover moved to suspend the rules and adopt
resolution authorizing the committee on expendi-
lures in the Treasury Department to send sub.
committee to such points they may think advisa
bic toitake testimony land giving that commte leave
to sit during the session of the House. Defeated
yeas 137 nays 1OS, not twothirds in the Affirmative.
Mr. Knott introduced bill to reorganize the judi
ciary committee Referred.
MIR. Singleton from the committee on appropria-
tons reported the consular and diplomatic appro
priation bill, which was made special order fol
Feb. 70, (provisions already published.)
Mr. MacMahon moved to suspend the rules and
adopt the resolutions recitng that in the present
condition of the public distress it is important that
the wealthy of the country shall bear fair proper
ton OF the burdens of taxation, and instructng The
earliest practical moment imposing graduated tax
on excess of Incomes above reasonable minimum t.
be fixed by law. Defeated. yeas 165, nays 49, lesl
than two-thirds in the affirmative
Mr.. Ellsworth of Michigan, referring to the posi-
ton which he took last Friday in the matter of thu
charges against the Doorkeeper, presented an afl
davit from the Doorkeeper denying as utterly with
out foundation the charges against his official integ
rity made on afdavits OF Messrs Correl and Duffy
and earnestly requesting an investigation on thu
part of the House. The affidavit referred to the
committee on civil service reform. Adjourned,