Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-23
WHAT CONGRESS Is DOING TODAY
Senate.

A communication was received from the State
department., stating that the department becomes,
| from time to time custodian OF funds created by
the payment by foreign governments OF diplomatic
ciafms either directly or as the result or claims
commissions. 1t enclosed draft OF bill for the
| disposal OF such funds in cases of controverted
| claims by individuals by the Court OF Claims.
| Referred to the committee on foreign relations
Mt Ferry introduced a bill for the return of dead
letters to the writer's thereof free or postage Re-
rerred.
Mr. Beck offered resolution reciting that it IS
alleged that the directors OF some OF the national
banks in Richmond, Va, have been permitted to
file in the ONCE of the controller of the currency
| modified oath, with substantially the following
proviso: "The above is subscribed in all respects
allowed by law in this state" The resolution di.
reefs the Secretary OF the Treasury to furnish
! tiled copies OF all the oaths which were taken by
| the directors OF the national banks In Richmond
which were on file in the controllers Office during
the years 1879 and 1850. Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER PRO TEN.
Mr.. Frye called up the rule recently reported by
MIN from the committee on rules allowing Presi-
dent pro TEN OF the Senate when temporarily alb
sent to designate in writing a Senator to perform
the duties OF the chair for the day and during
otherwise order.
Mr.. Garland moved q substitute, and various
% suggestions were made to remedy the difficulty
or the presiding officer for a day. Mr.. Garland
said that clause 5, section 3, article OF the Con-
sttution lmperatvely directs the Senate to choose
dent. "''0'0 0' WV NV -0'''
Mr.. Ferry advocated an amendment substantially
similar to Mr. Garland'S.
MeSSrS. Hoar. Sherman MaXey and FRYE iOfned
in the discussion which followed, and Mr.. Morgan
denied the authority OF member to assume the
IunctOns OF presiding officer, except when, in the
| language Of the Constitution, "the Senate shall
choose" MIN 10 act as such. He held that the pro-
cess cess OF q an election was Indispensable and op-
posed all amendments to the existing rule
The subject, after occupying three-fourths of the
time allotted for morning business, was referred,
consideration.
House bill to accept and ratify an agreement
win inc ShoSh0ne and Bannock Indians for sale
or portion Of their reservation In Idaho territory
| required for the use OF the Utah and Northern
railroad, was passed.
Mr.. Hawley then called up the Senate bill Great
Ing the oregon short line railroad company.
Nomination To-day.
The President sent the following nomination to
| the Senate to-day:
Philip Armour to be pOstmaster at Councl RluffS
Iowa.
House Of Representatives.
Mr.. Townshend gave notice in the House to-day
that II the committee On ways and means did not
at an early day report resolution for the final
adjournment Of Congress, he would himself make
motion to that effect
Mr.. Kelley, chairman OF the committee on ways
and means, stated that the matter would be
brought to the attention OF the House after the
next committee meeting
THE BILL TO REDUCE INTERNAL REVENUE TAXA
TION.
The House then, at II :25 went into committee
| of the whole (Mr Camp in the chair) and resumed
consideration of the bill to reduce internal revenue
taxation. 1t being agreed that general debate
| thereon should close at 3 o'clock, at which hour
euloges upon the life and character OF the late
Thos. Allen of Mo- will be delivered.
Mr. Stephens said that the bill was right as far
AS it went. but that it did not go nearly as far as
ne would have wished. He thought that the entire
internal revenue system ought to be abolished.
internal taxes except in time OF war, were anti
republican and antt-democratic They were In
opposition to the general policy OF this govern
ment they were OF British origin, and had always
| been viewed with British odiun. The best way In
| which to raise revenue was by import duties.
They bore less heavily the tax payers, and that
was what legislators ought to look TO-
Mr. KaSsOn explained and defended the action
| OF the committee on ways and means.
MT. Wilson spoke In support OF two amendments
which he proposed to Offer-the one striking out
the clause abolshing the tax on bank capital, the
other forbldding national banks to charge or re-
| ceVe any interest, discount or exchange exceed
| ing the rate OF six per cent per annum for the
loan of any money or in the discount OF any bill,
note or other obligation.
Mr.. Willis argued in support OF a proposed
amendment providing that alcohol and other
spirits to be used in the manipulation of tobacco
and In other industrial pursuits shall be free OF tax
| Mr.. Kelley said that While be wished that the
arts could have free alcohol, tile tax upon the ar
tcle could not be abolished as long twas main
tanned on spirits
Mr., Dunnell thought that it was an error for
congress TO begin now repeal OF laws affecting
The debate was stopped at three O'Clock and
eulogies were pronounced upon ex-Representa-
tive Allen, OF Missouri.
District in Congress.
The Senate to-day passed the bill directing the
Secretary OF the Treasury to pay to j. A. Merrill
$41.4S, being an amount collected from him as an
erroneous charge for special improvement against
property in the District.
THE POTOMAC IMPROVEMENT BILL AND THE RIVER
AND HARBOR BILL.
the Senate committee on commerce are holding
daily sessions upon the river and harbor bill.
They have been considering it for week, aud
have SO far only got through with four pages. It
is estimated by member OF the committee that it
will take ten days longer to finish the bill. Men,
pIiations as they desired for their respective dis
| tricts are besieging and tmportuning the Senate
committee to incorporate amendments that Will
and the amendments wanted ty the Senate, the
committee Las its hands full. The proposition to
incorporate the bill to reclaim the flats In the river
and harbOr bill has not yet been formally submit
ted to the committee but 1t is said it will be be-
fore the bill Is reported back.
Capitol Notes.
Tho Senate, yesterday afternoon, by vote OF
"a TO 13 passed the Dill to extend the charters OF
national banks.
MIR. VAN vOoRHIs AND THE IMMIGRATION BILL.
The House committee on commerce did not to-
day dispose OF the statement which was yester-
DAY prepared Dy the subcommittee, respecting
the passage of the bill ''to regulate immigration
Several members of the committee held a confer
ence on the subject this morning, but, without
reaching conclusion decided to meet again this
afternoon. There is n disposition on the part OF
one or two members OF the committee to modify
that part OF the prepared statement which re-
fleets upon Mr. Van Voorhis, so as to relieve that
gentleman from the suspicion OF having acted un-
fairly towards the committee. Chairman Page
says that the statement of the committee Will
probably not be submitted to the House until the
return OF Mr.. VanVOOrht5 from New York, which
will be on Tuesday next
CAUCUS OF DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES
was held last night There were only about forty
members present. It was decided to vote against
Mr. Kelleys revenue bill, unless certain amend
ments thereto were adopted. An agreement was
substantially reached to vote In favor OF taking on
the tax on tobacco, cigars, fermented liquors and
also the special license lakes It was also decided
that In case the proposed amendme nts to the bill
are rejected motion should be offered to recon-
NIT the bill to the committee on ways and means
with instructions to report bill aboshing all in-
ternli revenue taxes except those upon whisky and
whisky dealers.
Utah Wants To be a State.
John T. Caine, F. s. Richards, D. H. Perry and
W. D. johnson, OF Utah, are In Washington as the
delegation appointed by o convention held in Salt
Lake City IN April last composed Of represe n ta-
<3x, <H,.