The Osceola times., 1879-03-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
INNATE.

senate.
In the senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Nc.
Pherson presented the petition OF the New
Jersey Hi torical Society, in favor of the
erection of a monument to Christopher Co,
lumbus by the republics of the western hem.
isphere, and that the United States take the
initiative. Referred. The anti-Chinese
immigration bill came mp for consideration,
anu alter debate was passed-S9 to 27. Ad.
journed.
In the senate, on the 18th, Senator Win
dom presented a petition of tle negro CO.
operative association of Shreveport, Louisi-
ana, favoring the passage OF the resolution
in regard to the immigration OF colored peo>
pie. The resolution is now before the SEN
ate ....A bill to provide for the construction
OF a bridge a,ross the Missouri river at De-
catur Nebraska, was passed The bill to
amend the internal revenue laws, containing
an amendment to reduce the tax on tobacco,
Was then considered. The bill was read at
length. The question then recurred on the
anne ndment of the committee to insert "April
1, 1879" as the time for the reduction to
take place. The question being on concur
ring in the amendment proposed by the
committee on finance to tax snuh twenty.
four cents per pound, it was disagreed to,
thus leaving the tax on snuff at sixteen cen ts
per pound, as proposed by the house bill,
the same rate OF tax also being retained on
tobacco. The tenate then voted ON the
amendments proposed by the con.littee, and
struck out the tax proposed on cigars and
cigarettes, leaving the tax rs under the exist.
ing law. Dealers in leaf tobacco, except re-
tail, shall pay a special tax of S25. Every
person who manufactures tobacco or snuff of
any description, without first giving bond rs
required by this act, shall be fined not less
than one thousand nor more than i've thou.
sand dollars, and imprisoned Tor not less
than one year nor more than five years. An
allowance OF drawback on tobacco, snuff and
cigars on which the tax has been paid by
suitable stamps affixed thereto before re.
moval from the place OF manufacture, when
the same are exported, will be made, equal
in amount TO the value Of the stamps found
to have been so affixed. The amendment of
the committee to strike out the repeal of the
tax on lucifer or friction matches was agreed
to. The senate also agreed TO the other
amendments OF the committee, including the
allowance OF a drawback on fermentej liquors
aud on all articles mentioned in schedule A,
on which any internal taxes have been paid,
except lucifer and friction matches, cigar
lights and wax tapers, equal in amount to
the tax paid thereon, and no more when ex.
ported. Adjourned.
In the senate, on the 18th, the house bi. !
to promote knowledge of steam engineering
aud iron ship>bui4 ding among students of
scientific schools or colleges passed without
discussion. W len the senate bill to repeal
the revised stat tutes, which forbds any one
who served under the confederacy from
being appointed 10 the army, was reached,
Senator Cameron WIS., objected to its pres.
ent consideration, and 1t was laid aside ...
After the morning session, consideration was
resumed of the bill TO mend the internal
revenue laws. Senator !. .nsom submitted an
amendment to exempt from certain provi-
sions of the existing law small distlleries
where the daily capacity does not exceed
thirty gallons. Agreed to. Senator Whyte
submitted an amendment that the act take
effect on the first of May instead OF the frst
of April, as proposed by the committee.
Agreed to. The amendment made in CONS
mittee providing that no tax shall be assessed
or collected upon an insolvent bank, and the
amendment 10 section 34s revised statutes,
so as to exempt from taxation SO much of De.
posts of provIdebt institutions and savings
banks, recognized as such by the laws of
their respective states, as they have invested
in securities of the United States, was agreed
to without division. Senator Morrill, sub
mitted au amendment to strike out the whole
which was agreed TO. So the law in regard
to the tax ON matches remains as at present.
Other amendments, made in committee OF
the whole, were agreed to without division.
The bill was then read the third time and
passed-45 to 81. Adjourned.
In the senate, on the 10Th, the house bill
to ia the pay OF letter carriers and senate
bill to incorporate the United Railway Mail
Service Mutual Benevolent A sociation were
passed .... Consideration was resumed of the
postoffice appropriation bill. An amend.
ment of the committee, increasing the ap,
preparation tor postal clerks. route agents.
local agents and messengers from $3.50 900
to So, 10000, was agreed to also an amend.
ment providing that from and after July |,
1879, local agents and messengers shall be
designated as postal clerks, and divided into
FIVE classes, whose salaries shall be from $500
to Sl400 per annum. Other amendments
were agreed to, as follows; Allowing the bu.
reau of engraving and printing Of treasury
department to bid for contract of printing
postage stsmps; authorizing the postmaster
general to issue postal cards for circulation
in foreign countries under the provisions of
the Universal Postal Union of June I, 1873,
such cards TO cost two cents. After execus
tive session, the senate adjourned.
In the senate, on the Goth, the army
appropriation bill, with amendments, was
reported back and placed on the calendar.
1t is divested of all the army reorganization
sections inserted by the house. The so-called
Butler railroad telegraph amendment" is
retained in the bill ...Senator Matthews
called up lont resolution authorizing the
secretary OF the treasury to sell the public
property at the corner of Fourth and Vine
streets, in Cincinnati. Passed.. Ire fol-
loving bills on the calendar passed: House
bill to give circuit courts supervising juris-
diction in certain cases house bill to amend
section SO Of the revised statutes relative
to the fees of district attorneys Consid-
Grafton was resumed of the postofiice appro
pration bill. Sundry amendments were
adopted, shd the bill passed. Adjournea.
In the senate, on the 2lst, number of
bills on the calendar were passed, among
them the senate bill to amend the res
vised statutes in relation to the transporta>
ton OF alimals..-..The army appropriation
bill was then taken NJ. Pending the discuss
sion thereon, Senator Ferry called up the
house resolution in memery of the late Gen.
Alpheus :. Williams, a member of the house
from Michigan. Appropriate remarks upon
the life and ch ,racter of the deceased were
made. Adjourned.
10 the no Ise, on the 10Th, Mr. Sparks,
f. ON the committee on appropriations, said
bill would be reported iu few days 10 pay
the srrearages of pensions. Mr., Mohan
submitted an amendment to dispense with
biennial examinations Of pensioners, the
| commissioner 20 have power OF ordering q
| specisl examnston when deemed necessary,
| and of reuu siug or nc,easing pensions
Mr.. Vance subm tied an amendment putting
| the salaries Of the chief clerk and examiner,