Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-23
FORTY-sIXTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ?

! 1 SENArE-The bill to repeal all laws thai | impose taxes upon the capital of and deposits l with banks and bankers and upon bacl l checks, as amended to provide simply for the repeal of the tax on bank deposits, was passed.
 The remainder of the morning hour was | occupied in discussion upon the House joint resolution for a monument to mark the birth, 1 place of Washington, increasing the appro- priation from $3, 900 to $30,oOO. It was adopted. Mir. Logan attempted to call up the bill placing General Grant on the re- tired list, but it was rejected by party vote, except Mir. Logan, who voted in the affirma- tive Messrs Davis of Illinois, and Hill, of Georgia, were absent
 The Senate then took up the legislative bill, Mr. Blair resuming his remarks on the "slxty surgeons bill'' He was followed by Messrs. Buck, Logan Platt, Plumb and Burnside until 4:45, when the Senate proceeded to con- sider the appropriation bill An amendment adding one principal examiner and one each of first, second and third assistant examiners was adopted. Some amendments of 8 minor nature were added, with the assent of the Committee on Appropriations, and the bill was passed
 The Senate at 5:45 adjour ned to 10 o'clock tomorrow.
 dOUSE.-ln0 COQl0IeuCS TepOft OA IAO pension appropriation bill was agreed to and the House then went into Committee of the Whole, Mir. Cox in the chair, on the agricul- tural appropriation bill, which was subse- quently reported and passed.
 MT. Blount, from the Committee on Alp propriations, reported back the sundry civil appropriation bill referred to Committee of the Whole The amount recommended by the bill is $2O, O,0O4, ,2O5.4 AZ. The amount of the estimates was $23, 751 ,1O25 59. The amount appropriated for the current year was $22, ,523, 821.
 Mir Kimmel1, of Maryland, offered an amendment appropriating $500, ,000 for com mencing work on the public building for postoffice and other public offices in Baltl- more
 Mr. BIount made the point of order that there was no law authorizing the commence ment of work, and pointed to the rule which prohibited putting on appropriation bills amendments for expenditure not previously authorized by law unless in continuation of an appropriation for such works as are al ready in progress.
 The whole question turned upon the point whether the purchase for site and direction to prepare plans was the commencement of work Messrs. McLane, Carlisle, Kimmell and others argued that it was, and Messrs. Sparks, Braggs and others arguing against it. The chair sustained the point of order, on the ground that the purchase of site and the submission of estimates did not authorize the construction Of a building The estimates were sub mitted for the information of Con gress and Congress might think the cost too great and refuse the appropriation.
 Mr. Kimmell appealed from the decision of the chair and the appeal was sustained, 61 to 59
 Mr. Fort, of Illinois. said he was friend of the measure, but in his opinion $25O, 1000 was enough with which to commence the work and he moved to make it that amount. This was accepted and in that form the clause was adopted.
 Mr. Buckner offered an amendment au- thorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to use $24, 1000 of the appropriation for light and water in public buildings in the purchase of gas savers and gas regulating in struments which are shown to be most ad- vantageous to the government, and that they be placed upon buildings under control of the Treasury department, provided that the amount paid for said instruments shall not exceed the value of gas during the first year.
 Pending consideration of the amendment the committee arose, having disposed of sev- enteen pages of the bill.
 Mir Thompson, of Kentucky, gave notice of an amendment to the apportionment bill, fixing the number of Representatives at 315. At D. m. the House adjourned.