Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-06-27

SENATE.

4
! A bill vas introduced constituting Robert
Garrett, VIM. F. Burns, VIM. F. Frick. OF
| Md. and their associates, a company to lay
telegraph cables between America and Eu-
rope. Referred to the committee on foreign
relations.
/ The appropriation committee reported
back the legislative, executive and judicial
| appropriation bill with amendments, and
will move its consideration tomorrow. The
aggregate of the appropriations amounts to
| $40, ,2OO, 900, being an increase of $326.OOO
over the amount of the bill as it passed the
! House: the bill with sundry tables showing
changes made by the Senate committee. was
ordered printed.
The conference report on the West Point
military appropriation bill was read ana
adopted.
/ On motion of Mr.. Hawley. provision was
made for the printing of portions of the re-
port of the ordinance board, and Information
concerning the society of the Red Cross for
the amelioration OF the sufferings of soldiers
during the war.
| Mr.. Pendleton moved to take up his reso-
luton concerning the political assessments.
Mr.. Conger objected.
The chair ruled that the sending up of the
resolution to the committee, notwithstanding
the objection would enable the discussion to
proceed outside the limit upon debate in the
morning hours
/ Mr.. Conger Withdrew his objection when
/ it was renewed on the democratic side. The
resolution then went up without dissent. 1t
| instructs the committee on civil service and
retrenchment, to inquire whether any at
tempt is being made to levy or collect as
sessments for political purposes or parties
from government employers in Washington.
| Mr.. Pendleton read from the republican
! n,r las, a
severely criticised it. He was followed by
MIR. Allison. who said the committee wished
the fact distinctly understood that the assess
ments were entirely voluntary, and compul-
sorry upon no one. The debate was tempor-
arily suspended and the House resolution
providing for final adjournment July 10th,
was briefly considered, but was finally laid
on the table to await further progress on the
appropriation bills. The discussion of polit-
ical assessments was then resumed. Mr..
Allison asserted that in 1880, which was
presidential year, 10000 circulars were sent
out to which only ll,5l4 made affirmative
response, and he challenged the assertion
that not single removal from office was the
result of a failure to contribute.
Mr.. Hale spoke in similar strain and
said the posing of the democratic party now
in the attitude of special advocates OF civil
service reform was but temporary expe-
dent to gain popularity. The spoils system
had always been the element of the demo-
cratic strength, and he quoted from the
Cavode investigation to show the extent to
which this was carried on before and during
Buchanan's campaign, and argued that the
republican administration could show nothing
as bad as that. Upon the conclusion of his
remarks the subject was informally laid
aside until tomorrow.
NJ 7 Al,
port on the army appropriation bill. Retire.
ment had been made compulsory at Ct years
and voluntary after 10 years service. Re.
port agreed to-
Without action on the political assessment
resolution the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
bill was passed appropriating Sl0o,O
for public building at Williamsport.
Mr.. Butterworth, of Ohio, submitted a
conference report on the army appropriation
bill and it was agreed to, and several bills
were introduced and referred.
Mr.. Hiscock, of New York, chairman of
: committee on appropriations, reported the
sundry civil appropriation bill. Ordered
printed and recommitted.
Mr.. New, of Ohio, then claimed the floor
: for the committee on the District of Colum-
bia, stating that at 2 30 he would yield to
Mr.. Kelley, of Penn, to call up internal
revenue bills.
Several bills pertaining to the District OF
Columbia were passed.
At 2.45 the District committee yielded the
floor and the House went into committee OF
the whole on the bill to reduce internal rev.
enue taxes. Several amendments were
offered and rejected.
On motion of Mr.. Carlisle substitute for
the third section, offered by Mr.. Kelley, was
amended BY reducing the tax on cigars to
81 per 1000, and on cigarettes weighing not
less than three pounds per 1000, to IS cents.
Mr.. Kelley's substitute as amended, was
agreed to.
Mr.. Flower then offered as a substitute
for the entire bill, an amendment of which
he gave notice some days ago. He took the
ground that all taxes under the internal
revenue system ought to be reduced except
the tax on distilled spirits. He believed that
such a reduction would be in direct line of
revenue reform and civil service reform. He
; referred to the fact that almost on the ami
: versary of the assassination Of President
Garfield the two per cent republican assess
ment was ringing through the papers in
order to celebrate it. He would not as a
member of the democratic congressional
: committee solicit single subscription.
Mr.. Cox offered an amendment providing
that no political assessment shall be imposed
upon any person engaged in the execution of
the internal revenue laws.
MIR. KassOn said the manhood of the coun-
: try is not to be insulted any more by that
: side any more than by this, and when a free
man is asked to pay money for political pur-
poses he has right, and it is his duty, to de-
: cline ifhe does not wish to do so. If | find
any officer in Congress, or in the depart
ments, whose interference to get man
turned out on the ground that he has not con-
tributed will get up on this floor and de-
nonnce him. There is not one man who
will lose his Office for declining to paw the
assessment.
Mr.. Springer made strong denunciatory
speech upon the subject of political assess
ments, and inquired whether he was at lib
erty to inform the employees of the House
that they were not expected TO pay the as
sessment unless they wanted to.
: Mr.. Hubbell-As far as 1 am concerned
: you have that right.
Mr.. Springer-Then I inform the en-
ployes that they need not pay the assess
ments.
MIR. Flowers substitute was rejected.
Mr.. Anderson vehemently attacked the
l bill