Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-21
AFFAIRS AT THE CAPITOL
WHAT CONGRESS Is DOING TODAY.
THE TOBACCO AND WHISKY QUESTIONS, ETC.
The Senate.

Petitions were presented by Mr.. Sherman, Mr.
Miller (of New York; ani Mr.. Mitchell IN the Sem
ate to-day for the passage OF the bill to give in
creased pensions to one-armed and One-legged
soldiers.
Mr.. Pendleton also presented petitions for the
allowance OF a rebate equal to any reduction that
may be made in the tax on toblccO, and Mr.. Davis
a memorial praying for the repeal of all taxes on
tobacco
Mr.. Pendleton stated that he had received tel
egraphic communication from prominent dealers
in whisky, asking that immediate action be taken
upon the bonded whisky bill
Mr.. Sherman said he also had received several
allowance of rebate in case the tobacco tax
should be reduced.
THE TOBACCO TAX.
Mr.. Bayard, from the committee on finance, re-
ported the following substitute for the resolution
offered by Mr.. Mcpherson, in relation to the re-
duction OF the tobacco tax.
Resolved, That whenever the internal revenue
tax on tobacco, snuff and cigars is reduced or re-
moved, prOportiOnate rebate Of the tax paid on
the stocks on hand should be allowed"
Mr.. Bayard said he would ask the consideration
OF this resolution tomorrow; as he thought it
important to quiet as soon as possible, the appre
ness all over the country.
Mr. MOrrll gave notice that he would move to
amend az M & 6y addlng; Unless ample previous notice
or the time When the act Is to take effect shall be
given" He had no doubt that the agitation OF this
subject Was disturbing the trade but he believed II
those interested were assured that there would
be no reduction below twelve cents per pound
they would be content AS to the allowance OF a
rebate, good deal Of difficulty would attend it,
and he thought that If due notice were given Of
the time when the reduction, If any should be
made. would go into effect that would afford all
that is needed in the way OF relief.
NEW BILLS
Bills were introduced as follows: BY Mr.: Nc
phnrcn To tJ,o-t ot,,to,
ents. Referred to the committee on patents. By
Mr. Rolltns-To punish larceny from the person in
the District of Columbia. Referred to the commit
tee on District of Columbia.
BY Mr.. Slater-AuthoriZing the construction OF
jetty at the mouth OF the Columbia river, and
making an appropriation therefor. Ordered
printed.
By Mr.. Jonas-To authorize the sale of theBaton
Rouge arsenal and grounds. Referred to the CON-
mttee on military affairs.
By Mr. Morgan-To define the jurisdiction OF the
circuit and district courts of the United States
Laid on the table at Mr. Morgans request in order
Mr.. Morgan also gave notice that he would offer
an amendment to the resolution reported from the
nnance committee in relation to the tax on to-
Dacco, providing that any rebate that shall be al
lowed shall be In certificates to cover future taxa
tion On the manufacture of spirits or tobacco.
By Mr.. Mitchell-To amend section s, ,4s5 Revised
Statutes relating to pensions Referred.
By Mr.. LoganSFixfng and defining the duties of
military affairs
By Mr.. Sherman-For the relief of Alfred Hop
kins, late captain in the navy. Referred to the
committee on naval affairs
MIR. Brown offered resolution, which was
agreed 10, directing the Secretary of War to in
form the Senate OF the progress made with the
work Of the Improvement OF the harborS OF Sayan-
nah and Brunswick, the expenditures made and
!ne amount tnlt can be prOftlbfy expended dur
ing the next fiscal year. and whether the suSpen-
sion OF the work would not prove very detrimental
to the public interest by leaving the work in an
lDsOlnDlpCe what amount ~
to be appropriated Mt this session to conduct the
work as 1t should be conducted in each harbor
during the next fiscal year; also to furnish SIM
liar statement In relation to each OF the rivers in
Georgia for which appropriations were made last
On motion OF Mr.. Morgan the resolution. before
1t was agreed to, was amended SO as to apply also
TO the harbor OF Mobile
PUBLIC LANDS FOR HOMESTEAD SETTLEMENT
Mr.. Saunders offered the following preamble and
resolution. Which he said he would call up at an
early day:
Whereas, 1t Is, or should be, fundamental prin-
clple OF the government of the United States that
the public domain should be held and reserved for
the use and benefit OF actual settlers only; and
whereas, there are large tracts of land now with
held from settlement on the plea that they have
heretofore been granted to certain railroads, but
the right to 1t is believed to have been forfeited by
OF the grant: therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on public lands be
directed to inquire into the subject and ascertain
what steps, If any, are necessary to be taken to
restore the lands. so that they may be opened uD
for homestead settlement
Reso1red Juther, That it is the sense OF the SEN
ate that the pre-emptOn law which allows lands
To be entered or purchased OF the government at
% per acre without requiring permanent settle
Ineht SnOuld De repealed and that hereafter all
government lands should be held and reserved for
actual settlement only.
At the close OF the morning hour Mr. Hale called
up the resolution for
A HOLIDAY RECESS.
MI. Garland offerel an amendment, giving the
consent Of tle Senate to the House taking the pro-
posed recess. The House, he said, thought 1t could
aHorc 10 adjourn for so long time, but the Sen
ate, in his opinion, could not
The resolution was discussed at length, Messrs
Hale Bayard, Jones and Davis favoring the recess,
ana M0.r,H Messrs Hoar Allison conger, Window and
At O'Clock the unfinished business-the civil
service bill-came up, but by unanimous consent
IL was laid aside to allow vote to be taken on the
was lost-ayes H. nays IS. The question then re-
CURED on the resolution reported from the COM
mlttee to take a recess from Dec. ssd to Jan. 3D.
On this the vote resulted-ayes 25 noes &c. and
the resolution Was declared lost.
TIE CIVIL SERVICE BILL
The civil service bill was then taken up at
2:15.
House of Representatives.
In the House today, on motion OF Mr.. Van Horn
OF Missouri, Senate bill was passed authorizing
the Public Printer to purchase, without previous
advertisement, ink. rollers and press blankets.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE LAWS.
Mr.. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, chairman OF the
committee on ways and means, reported resolu-
ton declaring 1t to be the sense OF the House, that
in case the internal revenue laws be so amended
as to abolish the tax on tobacco, snuff and cigars
or either-provSion should be made for allowing
a rebate OF the tax paid ON stock on hand at the
time such law goes into effect, provided such stock
is stamped and in unbroken packages
Mr.. kassOn. or Iowa, in behalf OF the mi nority
OF the committee, reported, as a substitute a res
olution declaring that, in the Judgment OF the
House, no further reduction of taxes on the man.
ufactureS OF tobacco shall now be made than that
provided for IN the House bill to reduce internal
revenue taxation now pending in the Senate.
Mr.. WbtthOrne, of Tennessee, objected to the
present consideration of the subject
Mr.. Tucker, OF Virginia, appealed to Mr. Whit
thore to withdraw his objection. The whole to-
bacco trade was thrown into great trouble by the
proposition to repeal the tax on tobacco without
any provision for rebate. The whole idea of the
committee on ways and means was that the House
should. by declaration, settle the question.
Mr. Hatch, of Missouri. said that until the COM
mittee on ways and means would allow farmers
ana producers OF tobacco some opportunity, some
RELIEF, nothing should be considered by unanimous
Mr.. Butterworth, OF Ohio. asked that the reSolu-
ton be made q special order for tomorrow but
Mr.. Hatch, OF Missouri, objected. The resolutions
were then referred to fha cOm mi 90 of tho whole