National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-17
HOUSE or RgpREsEyr.irIyEs.

The SPEAKER announced the regular order to he
tho consideration of the bin reported last night
from the Committee of Ways and Means TO lncili-
tate the rcfunding of the national debt and The
pending question to be on the passage Of the bill.
Mr. MILLS a.ked Mr. Wood to yield to him for an
amendment subeCting all bonds hereafter issued to
taxation.
Mr. WooD declined to yield for that purpose, and
the bill was then passed without division.
IT authorizes the secretary of the Treasury, In
the process of rcfunding the national debt TO cX.
change directly at par the bonds of the United
states bearing per cent interest for the bonds
commonly known as 520's outstanding and un-
called; and directs that whenever all such $40
bonds shall be redeemed the provisions of this sec
ton and all existing provisions Of law authorizing
the reminding Of the national debt shall apply To-
any bonds bearing per cent, or n higher rate of
interest that may be redecmabe. In any exchange
made under the provisions Of this section Interest
may be allowed on the bonds redeemed for period
OF three months.
The House then went into Committee Of the
Whole MIR. Carlisle IN the chair on the bill or
gNni2ing the Mississippi River Improvement Com.
mission, and providing; for the Improvement Of
that river and the protection of its olluvinl lands
Irhc proposed commission is TO consist of five per-
sons, to be appointed by the President aud Is TO
have charge of the surveys of the Mississippi, and
TO take into consideration plans and estimates for
the improvement of its navigation and the pro-
lection of its alluval lands. When such plans are
prepared aud approved by Congress IL shall be the
duty of the Secretary of War TO cause such i'm
provemcnts to be made. An appropriation of 500
committee which reported the bill has as an
amendment, added section lpproprnting SSH
900 for Strengthening the Mississippi levees
Nearly an hour was occupied i'll the reading Of
the report accompanying the bill
Mr.. GIBSON gave notice that he would, If he had
opportunity, offer. as II substitute, an amendment
appropriating - 10000 for the improvement Of the
Mississippi, from the head of tie passes of that
river to the mouth Of the Illinois River
Mr.. REAGAN gave notice that he would offer an
amendment directing the Commission to take INTO
cons Liberation the .practic9bllity Of improving the
Mississippi by opening additional outlets for the
flow of that river into the Gulf of Mexico.
Mr.. ROBERTSON spoke IN favor of the bill. TWAS
for the benefit of no particular person, State, or
scctionl but would nure to he benefit Of the pco-
scourge which had traYersed the south might be
traced to the overflow OF the Mississippi IN 1874,
followed by the high waters of 1875, 1876 and 1877
and by the hot summer of 1873
Mr.. ELLIS offered an amendment as u substitute
appropriating SlSj0nOO for the purpose of repairing
the leVees of the Mississippi and improving the
navigation of that river, such money. to be eN.
pended under the direction ofhe CHIEF engineers of
Mr.. CHALMERS said that the people OF Mississippi
and Louisiana appealed 10 Congress TO give 10 thcm
that protection which every citizen had right 10
| expect from the Government, With the Mississippi
| River improved the south could supply the whole
! Union with sugar and the world with cotton. lie
! hoped that Congress would come TO the rescue OF
commerce, that even the gentleman nom Pcnnsyl-
vGuia Mr. Wright, the most promising Grcenbacls
! candidate for the Presidency In 1881 would sup.
port the bill and thOt even the hard hearts Of tho
]
MI NJ. Ronlssoy (Massl was in favor of the bill It.
! self but utterly opposed to the amendment appro-
pdaliuS S3S7lO0Oi for repair Of the leyees, ana II
/ that amendment We're adopted he would vote
| against the bill, The Government should not bc
! committed 70 any plan previous to the report OF
| Mr. ElLis spoke in favor Of his amendment and
/ OF the leycc system generally which, however 70
| be effective must be carried on by II single head
and with single purpose. lie dweI upon the
magnitude of the sugar and cotton Interests Of the
| south, aud predicted that In course of time The
southern states would be the great cotton manu-
| RCturlng centre of the world. lie wanted the
work placed in the hands of the engineer corps OF
| the army-h0uds free from Jobs and corruption.
! Mr.. ROBERTSON proposed that the debate shall be
| continued next Wednesday evening, the previous
question then seconded aud the vote taken on
The srlAKEn cSho was on the floor as a member
Of the Committee Of the WholcJ favored the propo'
| sitiOn,
The committee rose, and the order asked by Mr.,
! Robertson was made 10y the House.
| Bills were introduced as follows:
BY Mr.. SPRINGER In reference 10 special assess
ments In the District of Columbia,
| by Mr.. MONROE; 70 provide against evils from
the sale Of intoxicating drinks In the District of
by Mr. SINGLETON; To repeal the customs duty
on quinne.
Also for the payment OF southern mall contract
BY Mr.. White (Po,r To amend the funding act
| (reducng from three months to thirty days the no.
| tlce for the redemption Of 6per centss
| by Mr. HARDENBERGH, Extending tho limits
| of the port of New York,
BY Mr. COBB 10 authorize the local taxa
ton Of legaltender notes, Also to equallle the
| bOuntles of soldiers
Tho Senate amendments 10 the House bill for the
division of the western judicial district OF Missouri
were taken up and cOucurred in,
| Mr.. CLYMER, In view ofthe ceremonies this even
ing in honor Of the memory of the late Professor
Joseph Horny, Secretary of the smithsonian lnsti'
tuition, offered resolution for the admission TO the
floor rthc wives and daughters of members,
Agreed to, and the House, at five, took recess
I'm 40
The night session was devoted to the Henry
memorial exercises
| SAM RANDALL has 100 Congressman pledged "a
make him Speaker lie only needs lorIynl more