Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-12-17

OF LarlH now" ne 6alQ In MS speech
to-day, "that was made to suit the
exigencies of fifteen years ago? l
want the whole system revised.
We want men upon the floor of
the Senate 10 explain the ques-
tons at hand, and not wait for ex-
perts before the commission to do
it. / want Congress to reduce the
tax at least fifteen or twenty per
cent" Mr.. Garland quoted from
Senator Voorhees, Atlanta tariff
speech, in which the latter said
that the people would regard with
.avor the payment of a revenue
tax for the support of the govern
ment. Mr. Garland referred fire.
quently to Senator Morrill's recent
speech, taking issue to several
points therein. Senator Beck's
speech was directed directly at
Senator Morrill,, whose bill, he
said, meant the selection of a COM
mission that would submit a re-
port according to their own ideas.
Mr.. Beck maintained that the
commission should be selected by
both houses of Congress. If that
was done, evidence could be pro-
duced that would explode tn @
whole of Mr.. Morrill's theory.
Tuesday Dec. 13th.-In the SEN
ate there was quitea lively debate
on Mr.. Pendleton's Civil Service
Reform bill, in which Senator
Hill took occasion to attack Presi-
dent Arthur, which he did with
all that venom and bitterness in
which he seems to excel.
In the House it was "bill day"
and the members unloaded them
selves of nearly a thousand bills.
The majority of them were meas
ures that failed, or were not reach
ed at the last session Of Congress,
and a large proportion were for
pensions or wal claims. The u.s.
ual grist of tariff and financial
measures, some of which, if franz
ed into laws, would embarass the
country beyond recovery, flowed
in without limit. A marked in
crease in the demand for appro-
priations for internal improve
ments was a feature. Bills for inn
proving rivers and harbors, and
for constructing public buildings
in every quarter of the country
were introduced, involving the
expenditure Of many millions Of
dollars. These demands came
more particularly from the South
and West.
Wednesday Dec. 14th.-The sub
ject of the presidential succession
was under discussion in the Senate
Mes5rs. Beck and Anthony max
ing speechs. a large number of
bills were introduced and referred.
A debate occurred on a motion to
create a committee on the rights
of women. Mr.. Hoar, of Massa-
chusetts, supported, and several
Southern senators opposed it, be-
cause in their belief it looked to
the final enfranchisement of wO-
men. The matter went over.
A subcommittee of the Senate
Committee on Appropriations has
been appointed 20 ascertain the
manner in which the contingent
funds of the executive departments
are expended.
Thursday, Dec. Is. -Speeches on
the presidential succession in case
of the inability of the President,
were made in the Senate by Messrs
Garland and Coke. MI. Sher-
mans Three Per Cent. Funding
bill was reported. Mr., Miller in
troduced a bill to incorporate the
Maritime Canal Company of Mic
arague, with General Grant aud
several other distinguished per
sons as corporatOrs. Senator Hale
introduced several bills relative to
reappOrtiOnment under the tenth
census.