Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-16
XVI coNeRess-sEcoND SESSION
WAsHIxGroN. February Is.
SENATE.

I bill was introduced by Mr.. Grover pro-
posing constitutional amendment relating
to the manufacture ami sale Of Intoxicating
| liquors.
| On motion of Mr.. Bayard the pending or
der was postponed and the Senate took up
the House funding bill.
| Mr.. Bayard spoke in explanation of the
amendment of the Senate finance committee
upon the main features Of the bill. He al
vocated the 81 per cent. rate. and gu
| bond as modification of the two PROPOSE
tons of the Secretary of the Treasury and
the House, and opposed the compulsory fea-
ture of the House bill in the fifth section.
compelling banks 10 exchange bonds of a
higher rate for those of a lesser
Mr.. Mcpherson advocated the ) per cent.
! i0. 40 bond.
Mr. Herman spoke in opposition 10 The long
| bond. He believed II was policy on the part
Of the government, to keep control Of the OPP
ton of paying the debt.
| The question was taken on the amend
ment reported by the finance committee 10
| make the clause read: The Secretary of
the Treasury is hereby authorized 10 issue
bonds in amounts hot exceeding S4Uo,ooo.-
000." Agreed to.
| The next amendment of the finance COM
| mittee. to insert the words in denomina-
tons OF $50 or multples Of that sum.
The amendment of the finance committee
to make the rate of interest - instead of
per cent. provoked long discussion.
| Mr.. Eaton opposed the amendment fixing
the rate of interest at 3, per cent.
Without action the Senate adjourned,
leaving the funding bill 10 come up to-mor-
| row as unfinished business.
HoUsE.
The deck recently occupied By Fernando
Wood was draped in black and decorated
with a handsome basket of flowers.
| 4 bill was presented TO regulate the col
| lection of taxes on wines and beer, and To
make the tax ) cents per gallon.
Mr.. Deberell offered an amendment pro.
vidng that on and after the lst of July the
tax on ready distilled liquors from fruit shall
| be 80 cents per gallon.
To this Mr. Townsend offered an amend
ment providing that the duty on salt shall be
| reduced to | cent per ton.
Mr.. Conger raised a point of order that
the chair must, under the rule, call five OBJ
iections to these amendments.
The Speaker overruled the point of order
Mr.. Townsend moved to lay the appeal on
the table, but Mr.. Conger claimed the floor
and Il sharp colloquy cnsued between him
and the Speaker as to his right to debate the
appeal. The confusion and noise was very
great.
Mr.. Atkins of Tennessee moved to pro-
coed to the consideration of the river and
harbor bill.
The hour expired without any disposition
of the question.
After few brief addresses had been pre-
scented to the House on the acceptance by
Congress of the statue of Jacob Callamore
of Vermont, the House at l.50 went into
committee of the whole on the river and har
Dor bill
After considerable discussion vote upon
an amendment disclosed the fact that no
quorum was present and a call of the House
was ordered.
The roll call showed the presence of l6l
members. more than quorum, but still the
doors were closed and the sergeant at arms
dispatched after abscntees. Two or three
hours passed in vain endeavors to arrive al
an amiciable mode of settlement, by which
the session could be brought to close, and
finally, without action, the House adjourned.