The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-03-21

Washington Letter.
= WAsH1NaroN, d. G. March l6. 1873.
CONGRESS-. IN THE SENATE,
The Bill authorizing the District of
columbia Commissioners to take ap-
peals without giving bonds was ad-
versely reported upon. A favorable
report was made by tho Committee on
Commerce to aid the Polar Expedition
inaugurated by James Gordon Ben
nett. Mr.. Blaine, in his speech upon
the fishery award, took occasion to
criticise very severely the appoint
ment of Mr.. Delfosse, Minister from
Belgium, as one of the Commissioners
and his resolution to inquire into this
appointment was passed. A Bill pro-
viding for the appointment of Com
mission on alcoholic traffic was con-
Cured in. Mr.. Whyte, of Nd, Offer
ed a petition from Baltimoreans, in
opposition to the reimposing of the
income tax. A communication was
then read from the Secretary of the
Interior, in relation to timber depre.
dations in Montana Territory. The
above referred to Bill in relation to the
Bennett Polar Expedition was then
taken up and passed, as was also the
| Bill for the relief of ex-Surgeon Gem
eral Hammond. Messrs. Thurman, of
Ohio, and ex-Supreme Judge Davis,
then called up the bill In relation to
the sinking fund of the Pacific Rail-
road, and advocated in strong terms
| its passage. A bill to regulate and
properly adjust the counting of the
Electoral vote, similar in its main fea-
lures to the one passed by the Senate
and not acted upon by the House, at
the last session, was offered by Mr..
Merrimon. Mr.. Blaine then address
ed the Senate, and severely denounced
the communication of the Secretary Of
the Interior hereinbefore alluded to-
The Military Academy appropriation
bill was reported, with an amendment
increasing the amount appropriated by
the House to the amount of $50, ,466,
and passed the House bill making COM
petent witnesses in u. 8. and Terrific
rial Courts, of persons charged only
with crimes, was also passed. A bill
introduced by Mr.. VOORHEES,, making
legal tender notes receivable for GUS
toms and all other dues to the U. S.,
except where otherwise stipulated by
contract. Mr.. Matthews urged the
substitute of Mr.. Dorsey. in relat ion
to the funding bill of the Pacific Rail.
road.
~ IN THE HOUSE.
A bill making appropriations to COW
er the deficiencies for the fiscal year
ending June 39th, 1878, was favorably
reported. Mr.. Kelley, of Pa, replied
to the speech of Mr.. Garfield previ-
ously made, which was followed by q
rejoinder from Mr.. Garfield, both Of
these speeches being directed to the
discussion of our finances. The Di-
plomatic appropriation bill was then
considered, and reduction of $1O2,-
439, was made from last years appro-
priation for that particular service.
which is considerably below the esti-
mate made by the State Department.
A joint resolution was offered and ap-
propriately referred, providing for a
staple currency of papor to be fur
nished our people for business pur-
poses. A bill to provide for the issu-
ing of Silver Certificates for Silver
bullion or bars, and to repeal the Act
heretofore, for paying certain class
OF mail contractors from the South,
were also introduced and referred,
whereupon the House went into Com
mittee of the Whole, on the Appro.
priation Bill for the Diplomatic Ser
vice, in which Mr.. Hewitt, of New
York, took advantage thereof to ad-
dress the House, by denouncing the
Civil Service of Mr.. Hayes as a per-
feet failure. The Naval Appropria-
ton Bill, containing the total sum of
$l4, ,O48.6 .6S4, was reported by the Com
mittee favorably. The House then
held an evening session, with few par
Elephants, at which speeches were de-
livered upon almost any and all sub
jects. During the discussion upon the
Consular Appropriation Bill, Mr.. Cox.
of New York, ridiculed in one Of his
usual funny speeches, the efforts of
Mr.. Hayes at Civil Service reform,
proclaiming that "policical debauch-
cry had been the rule, and trustwor-
thiness the exception" in the recent
made by the Admins.
tration. The above Diplomatic Ap.
Bill received some imma.
terial amendments and was then pass
ed. Mr.. Regan, of Texas, arose to a
personafexplanation, in which he de-
clared his ignorance of the fact that
the naval contractors had received |
from the late sO-called |
States, for services rem
dered by them previous to the war.
The bill extending the time for the
payment of the tax on distilled spirits
in bond, from one to three years, pass
ed by vote of lis to 116, and as this
is somewhat of an important bill, it
would be perhaps well for those in.
terested to peruse it, as its length pre-
vents us from any thing more than al
luding thereto.
IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Of the Senate, quite an animated dis
:ussion occurred over the confirma.
lion of Mr.. Potts, as Postmaster at
Petersburg, Va, the Republicans con-
lending that as this was the only Re-