The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-02-20
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

senate.
Many petitions we're presented from all SEQ
hons of the country demonstrating againet the
reduction Of certain tariff duties, and the res
toration of the tax on tea and coffee also ask
ing Congress to provide for commission to
inqaire into the alcoholic liquor traffic, all of
which were referred to the committee on
finance. The House bill to authorize the free
coinage of the standard silver dollar, and to
restore its legal tender character, came up, and
Mr.. Morrill, spokein opposition to il. Adjourned.
" President Lincoln Signing the Emancipa-
ton Proclamation the painting donated to
Congress by New York lady-was accepted
by a vote of 43 to T. Messrs. Edmunds and
Others opposing its acceptance on the ground
that it was not of sufficient merit to be hung
up in the capital. Mr.. Beck callei up his res
olution declaring it unnecessary and inexpe-
dent to impose taxes at this time providing
for the $37196, 045.O4 asked for the sinking
fund by the secretary of the treasury and
spoke in favor Of that resolution The Bland
silver bill came up at the end of the morning
hour, and Messrs Bayard, Dawes, and Whyte
opposed it. while Mr.. Wallsce spoke in its
favor. Adjourned.
Mr.. Christiancy, OF Michigan, offered sub
sttute for the Bland silver bill. making the
weight of the silver dollar 434 grains which
would practically make it equal in value to gold
-. After going into executive session the
Senate adjourned.
House,
After the introduction of 3 number of bills,
including one reducing the number of Repre-
sentatives in Congress to 150 Mr.. Baker, of
Indiana, moved to suspend the rules, and
adopt resolution declaring that no subsidy in
any form should be granted to corporations en-
gaging in private enterprises. A motion to ad-
journ was Immediately made, which was re-
jected by "a to 230. The anti-subsidy resolu-
ton was then adopted by yeas ia, nays SO. :.
Mr.. Ewing, of Ohio, moved to suspend the
rules, and concur in the Senate resolution
known as the "Matthews silver resolution"
forthe payment Of United States bonds, prin-
cipal and interest, in silver and gold The mo-
ton was adopted by yeas 1877, nays 70, and the
House adjourned. t,
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts, presented the
petition of 534 citizens Of Lowell agsinst the
passage of the silver bill. He explained that
those gentlemen were men Of intelligence. and
whose voices should be heard. They believed
that the passage Of the silver bill would be de-
structive to their interests. Unfortunately
while representing them he differed from them
in opinion, and, differing in opinion, he must
follow his own convictions, however much he
regretted that difference He desired TO have
the test. II he were wrong, he should regret
the act more than any act of his life Like
Luther, he could not do otherwise God helm
him Differing from them he would not dare
TO follow his own convictions were it not that
he knew that they as laboring men, in common
with other laboring men, could not by any pos
siblhty be any worse off than they were now,
and any change would be for their benefit
He also presented the memorial of the Norfolk
conference of Unitarian and other Christian
churches at Walpole, Mass, declaring that
honesty was the vital part of religion, and pro-
testing against the passage of the Bland silver
bill. The petitions were referred and Mr. But
Ter continued (: g Mr.. Speaker, will you be kind
enough to send me the Bible from your deskY
After searching for the passage he desired
amid great laughter, Mr.. Butler sent to the
C erk's desk and had read the passage from the
second chspter Of st. John, which describes
Christ driving the money changers from the
temp'e and saying to them g Make not my
Father shouse house of merchandise" Mr..
Butler After that reproof 1 have no fur
ther word to say" -, The bill granting an
American register to foreign uit ship for
the purposes of the Woodruff scientific expe-
dition was passed, and the House adjourned.
The House in committee of the whole, dis
cussed the bill extending the time for the with
drawal of distilled spirits now in bond until
July 1, l87S and at the close of the debate Mr.
Buffers amendment providing that when the
spirits are withdrawn the tax shall be collected
at the rate required BY law at the time of its
entry into bond, was adopted. Mr. Fosters
substitute for the original proposition, declar-
ing that reduction of the tax on whisky is in
expedient was adopted by a vote of 1874 to 95
The House sustained the action of the COM
mi tee by vote of-yeas, l46 nays 1l2. Ad-
journed.