National Republican., 1882-04-08
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
A Question OF InvcstIgntion-Tbc Tariff
Conamisaion Hill.


The Senate was not in session yesterday. In tho
House Mr.. Ellis presented memorial of the mayor
and several commercial bodies of New Orleans
praying for congressional action on the Mississippi
lcvce bill Referred
On motion Of Mr.. Randall bill was passed re.
lieving from the charge of dcsdrtion soldiers in
the volunteer service during the late war on proof
that they served faithfully until the expiration Of
their term of enlistment, or until the lst of May,
1865, but who failed to be mustered out aud receive
an honorable discharge.
Mr. Page presented n petition OF citizens OF the
Pacific coast urging the prompt passage of the bill
TO incorporate the maritime canal Of Nicdrauga.
Referred
Mr. Blackburn offered resolution directing the
Committee on Expenditures in the War Depart.
nent to inquire what If any, abuses exist OK have
existed in the adjudication of claims in the Quar-
termastcr Generals, the Conmissary Generals,
and the Third Auditors offices and report their find
ings, together with such recommendations as II
may deem proper for the settlement of such claims
Mr.. Robson, of New Jersey, offered rs Il substi-
tute a similar resolution, but with n preamble re-
citing that It had been asserted the aoor of the
House by n member that he had evidence In his
possession which showed that certain clerks of the
Government had acted fraudulently and corruptIy.
Mr. Robson advocated his substitute, declaring
that he was not willing to order an investigation
on mere idle rumors or statements in black. mail
| 1Dk nCNkphleTbi Dul lihI WHtu CUhl ~ WIS MAUI
| by member against the conduct Of public Off
cials there was something upon which to base an
| investigation.
Mr.. Blackburn declined TO accept the substitute,
| 1t was the duty of the Committee on Expenditures
in the War Department to inquire into this mat
ter, and it was not necessary that any member
should appear as public prosecutor.
Mr. Reed regretted that this matter had not been
brought to the attention of the House at the be-
ginning of the debate on the army bill, and that
the House had chosen for the time Of its investiga
tion the time that the effect had been produced.
These clerks had been forbidden to he employed
and now came the investigation. He read letter
from the Third Auditor stating that Mr. McFar.
land TO whom Mr.. Blackburn had referrcdl had
ceased his connection with the Quartermaster-
Generals Department in June 1874.
After further debate Mr. Robson modified his
preamble so as 10 read: "Whcreas 1t has been pub
licy declared by q member Of this House from his
place on the floor that there reasonable grounds
to believe" &c.
This was accepted by Mr.. Blackburn rs an
amendment to his resolution, which was there
upon adopted.
Mr.. Washburn submitted conference report on
the bill to authorize the construction Of bridge
across the Missouri River, within Ave miles Of st.
Charles Mo-, and it was agreed to.
Private business having been dispensed with the
House lat 2.05) went into Committee Of the Whole
(mr, Robinson, OF MuSshCnusctls, IN tne CHhlE) Oh
the tariff commission bill.
Mr.. Haskell advocated the passage of the bill
There was no question that the tariff needed re.
vision, but the representatives of the Republican
party did not propose to botch and bungle this
tariff work by hurried and iil-adyiscd action
There were excrescences on the tariff system to
+ which the Republican party proposed TO apply
the knife OF tariff reform, but IL intended that the
, instrument used should be an instrument worthy
of surgeons skill. 1t would not put n cheese
, knife into the neck of the country's industries
He then proceeded with an exhaustive argument
in support of the protective system as opposed tc
free trade or n tariff for revenue only. He did moi
believe in prohibitory tariff but he was in favor
of erec ting protecting wall around American in
/ dustries, and he contended-and quoted variety
of statistics with which to fortify his argument
: that in the twenty years of protection the pros
perty and the business interests of the people had
increased to wonderful extent while during the
golden era" of free trade from 1850 to 1860 the
. agricultural and mechanical interests had beer
depressed and well nigh crushed.
Mr.. Muldrow opposed the present tariff system
a because he regarded II as u great inpediment il
\ the way of agricultural prosperity and develop
ment
. The committee at half past four rose, and thu
t House took recess until haf-past seven, III,
evening session being for the consideratin ofpen
sion bills.
NIGHT SESSION.
There were but few members present when tn
House met lat half.past seren)
= After passing seventeen pension bills, the Hous
: lat 9:4O) adjourned, Saturdays session being 10
s debate only on the tariff. commission bill.