National Republican., 1878-05-08
F0RTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Passage Of the District Government
Bill.
A Test Vote In the Senate on Contraction
Invalid Soldiers for Pension Agents
The wood TartT Bm Before the
uouse-Mr. Banks Opens
the Fire Against
the Bill.

TUESDAY, May 7, 1873.
A number Of petitions and memorials were
presented and referred, among them ono by
Mr.. VOORHEES,, asking that six hours be made
days work.
On motion of Mr.. CoCKRELL, tho bill to
prevent the further retirement Of legal tenders
wins taken up and read a second time-yeas,
81; nays, %.
Tho morning hour having expired the PEN
sion appropriation bill was taken up.
Mr.. EDMUEDS moved to strike out the Sec
ond section. Disagreed to-ycas, 90 nays, 80
The section, as amended. reads as follows:
"That the Office of pension agent, when any
vacancy occurs from any cause, shall be filled
BY wounded or disabled Union soldiers, or the
widow or daughter of Union soldiers"
The bill was then passed.
The Indian appropriation bill was next con.
shered. The bill was read nearly half
through, when n motion by Mr. MAxEY to
strike out the paragraph providing for the re-
moval Of Joseph's band Of Ncz Perces to the
Indian Territory gave riso to protracted de-
bate, which was not concluded when the SEN
ate lat 4:30 p. m.) went into executive session.
and soon thereafter adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. MARSH, from Committee on Military
Affairs, reported back o joint resolution grant
ing the use Of tents to tho soldiers reunion to
be held at Dcs Moiues Iowa Passed.
The regular order was demanded, and the
House resumed consideration of the bill to es.
tablsh permanent form of government for
the District of Columbis.
The pending question was upon the adoption
Of the amendment fixing the rate of taxation
At sl.50 instead of at Sl.75, as recommended In
the bill.
Mr. HENDEE said that the proposition to
mako the taxation S1.75 was mistake. 1t
was not the wish of the whole committee.
The rate Of $1.75 was too high, and If we fixed
upon this amount we would be obliged to in.
crease the rate on the agricultural lands.
Mr. BUCKNER inquired how much would
be realized at $l.75.
Mr. HENDEE had not figured 1t down, but
at 81 so the amount realized would be about
H,5O0,000. And after the Government pays
It's so per cent proportion, there will be So, ,000-
900 to pay the expenses Of the District.
The amendment was adopted, and the rate
Of tax is at S1.5O.
Mr.. REAGAN moved to amend by provid-
ing that the proportion which the Federal
Government shall pay shall be 25 per cent,
and that the District shall pay the other rs
per cent.
protracted debate upon this amendment
cnsucd, after which it was rejected.
Mr.. EDEN moved to amend by making the
proportion which the United States shall pay
10 per cent. Rejected.
Mr.. LAPHAM offered an amendment strik-
ing out the clause which fixes the rate Of tax
alton at 81 upon lands used solely for agricul-
tural purposes Rejected.
Mr.. BCCKNER moved to amend by provid-
Ing for the creation of a sinking. fund for the
payment OF the bonded debt of the District.
Mr.. BLACKBURN said that would be doing
Just the very thing he had been all slong try
Ing TO avoid, viz: 1t would make tho United
States responsible for the bonds
The amendment was rejected.
The previous question was then demanded
and seconded, and the bill was passed as
smended. "
Mr.. WOOD moved to go into Committee Of
the Whole for the purpose of resuming con-
sideration Of the tariff bill.
, This was resisted In the first instance by
members Of the Committee on Commerce, who
wanted morning hour, and also by the oppo-
ncnts Of tariff legislation. Tho House on a
roll call, however, decided to 60 into commit
toe by vote Of 100 to los.
Mr.. BANKS took the floor and made a
speech In opposition to the bill, after which
the House adjourned