The Portland daily press., 1881-02-16
XLvITH CONGREss-2d Session
SENATE.

| WASHINGTON, Feb 10.
| Several bill were presented and referred in
the Senate. Among the bills introduced
was one authorizing the commissioners of the
District of Columbia to appoint 800 additiona |
private or metropolitan police for fifteen day s
from Feb. 20.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Grover, ,propos-
ing constitutional amendment in relation to
the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating Ii
quors.
On motion of Mr.. Bayard the pending order
was postponed, the Senate took up the House
funding bill.
Mr.. Bayard spoke in explanation of the
amendments of the Senate financial commit
tee He advocated the 81 per cent rate and
$40 bond as a modification of the two PROPOSE
tions of the Secretary of the Treasuary and the
House, and opposed the compulsory feature of
House i'll the 9th section compelling banks to
exchange bonds of higher rate for those of
lesser.
Mr.. Mcpherson advocated per cent 10. 40
bond,
Mr. Herman spoke in opposition to long
bonds. He believed it wise policy on the
part of the government to keep control of the
option of paying the debt
Question was taken on amendment reported
by the finance committee to make the clause
read that the Secretary of the Treasury is
hereby authorized to issue bonds the amount
not exceeding $40O,000,0O0 and it was agreed
to-
mittee to insert the words I'm denominations
of $50 or multipies of that sum" was adopted.
Amendment OF the finance committee to
make the rate of interest 81 instead of 5 per
cent. provoked long discussion.
Mr.. Eaton offered a compromise amendment
fixing the rate at 81 per cent.
Without action the Senate adjourned leay-
ing. the funding bill to come up tomorrow as
unfinished business.
HOUSE.
The desk recently occupied by Fernando
Wood was draped in black and decorated with
handsome basket of flowers
Mr.. Carlyle from the committee on ways and
means reported back the bill in relation to
duties on manufactures of iron, &c. 1t was
y1aced on the calendar.
The report of the election committee that
Orth was entitled to his seat was agreed to.
A bill was presented to regulate the collec-
ton of taxes on Weiss beer. 1t makes the tax
3 cents per gallon.
Mr. Dibrell offered an amendment providing
that from and after the first of July the tax on
brandy distilled from fruit shall be so cents
per gallon.
To this Mr.. Townsend offered an amend
ment providing that the duty on salt shall be
reduced to one cent per ton.
Mr.. Conger raised the point of order that
the Chair must under the rule, object to these
amendments.
The Speaker overruled the point and Mr..
COnger appealed.
Mr.. Townshend moved to lay the appeal on
the table, but Mr. Conger claimed the floor
and sharp coloquy ensued between him and
the Speaker as to his right to debate the ap-
peal. The confusion and noise were very great
Mr.. Atkins of Tennessee moved to proceed
to consideration of the river and harbor bill.
The hour expired without any disposition of
the question.
After few brief addresses had been pre-
sented OF the acceptance by Congress of the
statue of Jacob Collamer oflVermont, the House
at 1.50 went into committee of the whole on
the river and harbor bill.
After considerable discussion vote upon
an amendment disclosed the fact of no quorum
present, and a call of the House was ordered.
Roll call showed the presence of 161 men,
bers, more than quorum, but still the doors
were closed and the Sergeant-at-arms despatch
ed after absentees.
Two or three hours were passed in vain
endeavor to arrive at an amicahle mode of
settlement by which the session. could be
brought to close, and finally without action
the House adjourned