The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-12
WASHINGTOs.
Bills Introduced in the House

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE bill introduced
10 theiHouse to-day by Mr. Price of Iowa, to
promote the deposits of savings and refunding
the national debt, authorizing the Secretary Of
the Treasury to issue certificates of deposit of
the United States of the denomination of $40,
$50, $50 and 800 each. which certificates shall
bear interest at rate of 8 65-100 per cent, per
annum. The certificates thus issued shall be
deposited in such amounts as the Secretary of
the Treasury may direct with any designated
depository of the United States or with any
postmaster OF any postal money order office
OF the United States on condition that all such
certificates so deposited be paid for by such des-
lgnated depository or postmaster within ninety
days from time of making such deposition coin
or its equivalent or the return of such certifi-
Gates or any part thereof to the Secretary of the
Treasury, and that the certificate issued as
aforesaid shall be redeemed only in United
States per cent. bonds and the holder thereof
be authorized to receive from the Secretary of
the Treasury United States bonds bearing inter-
est at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum when
presented at the United States Treasury, or auy
designated depository in sums of $40 or any
multiple thereof, said bonds being payable prin-
cipal and interest in coin of standard of Jnlv
4, 1870.
The bill further provides that all national
banks of the United States are required to re-
celve at par and accrued interest all such cer-
tltcates in payment of any debt due said bank,
provided, however, that no interest shall be al.
or upwards.
1t further authorizes any national bank do
ing business under the United States banking
law to hold at its option two-thirds of all the
reserve now required by law to be held in GER
t1hcates herein before referred to.
a bill was introduced in the House of Repre-
sentatives to-day by Mr.. Sapp of Iowa to give
construction to the specie resumption act by
declaring that it does not authorize the cancel
lstion of legal tender notes outstanding or re-
deemed on and after Jan. 1, 1879, but requires
them to be paid out again az legal tender. The
Dill also proposes expressly to prohibit the Sec
rotary of the Treasury from destroying said
notes SO as to reduce their total amount below
1850 900, 900, 1t being declared that the intent
OF the bill is to provide for continuance of that
amount as part of the circulating medium of
the United States.
The Appropriation Bills.
The full House committee on appropriations
to-day held meeting, at which reports were
received from the subcommittee on nayai,
consular and diplomatic Notifications and mill
tary bills. None were completed, but all are in
state of torvafdness, which warrants the ex-
pectatlon that at least two of them will be
ready for report to the House early next week.
Cabinet Meeting.
The Cabinet was in session nearly two hours
to-day, with all the members present except
the Secretary of the Navy. Matters of routine
Importance only were said to be under con-
slderat1on, though after other members of the
Cabinet had departed, Secretary Evarts re-
manned in consultation with the President.
when the subject OF the appoiptm of assist
ant commissioners to the Paris Exposition was
discussed. The number of applications are by
no means decreasing, while there seems a cor.
responding difficulty in making selections.
1t ia understood the government has been
giving renewed consideration to the case of the
supposed fllibustering steamer Estelle at
Bristol, r. l., and that the Presjdapt does NOT
consider that at present the steamer should be
allowed to leave the port, and accordingly in
structlons have been sent to the proper officials
for her still further detention.
The Steamboat HilI.
The House committee on Commerce to-day
authorized the chairman to report back the So
called steamboat bill )" with Recommendation
for the passage of the bill as agreed upon By
the committee amended in accordance with the
views of National Board Of Steam Nayigs-
ton.
The Tariff.
Ways and Means this morning continued in
formal discussion concerning the tariff ana tax
question, and without taking any action, ad.
journed until Tuesday. when they will bear ths
views of Secretary Sherman in person. No
reports yet submitted to full committee BY sub
committees in charge Of the work Of preparing
a tax and tariff bill,
The Sixteenth Amend mene,
The Senate committee on elections to-day
heard arguments of number of delegates from
the Woman's Suffrage convention. Speeches
were made by Mrs. Tozer. Julia Smith of
Conn.,, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Others
Freshet ON Virginia Rivers.
RICHMOND, Jan. 1.-THE heavy rains of the
past two days caused another rise in the rivers.
The bridge over the Stanton river on the Rich.
mond and Danville railroad which had lust