Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-29
FORTY-SEVByTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March %.
| Mr. Sherman, from the finance committee,
| reported the Senate bill to facilitate the pay
ment of dividends to the creditors OF the
Freedmen's Saving and Trust Company.
Passed.
On motion of Mr. Window. the committee
on foreign relations was discharged from the
consideration of the letter of the secretary
of state, and the recommendations OF the
President in regard to the abolition OF the
discrimination duties against certain produc.
tions of the Dutch East Indies. and the same
was referred TO the committee on finance.
Mr. Blair submitted and had read by the
secretary, resolutions of the New Hampshire
legislature expressing the sympathy of the
people of that State for the people Of Ireland,
in their struggle for more liberty, and for de-
liverance from the oppression OF the land
laws Referred 10 tine committee on foreign
relations.
Mr. Bayard called up the Senate bill for
the purchase of land in Philadelphia for the
use of the United States Mint. The amend
ment fixing as the maximum to be paid for
the property at $500, 900 was agreed to, and
the bill then passed.
The Presidential count bill came up as first
on the calendar, but went over by consent
until tomorrow.
The President pro TEN. announced the APP
pointment of Messrs. Dawes, and Jones of
Florida. as members of the board of visitors
to the next annual examination at the Naval
Academy, and Ferry and Lamar as visitors
to the West Point Academy.
The tariff commission bill came up regu-
larry soon after o'clock. and Mr. Harris
spoke in advocacy of action the tariff by
the committees of Congress without further
delay.
MIR. Bayard in closing the debate on the
bill, spoke of the difficulties which necessa-
rily surrounded the question. The proper
reformation of the tariff system could be
best accomplished by commission which
would also afford the most effective instru-
mentality for securing uniformity and per-
manence in the laws.
His objection to the Garland commission,
10 be composed of members of Congress.
was that the report would be liable to oppo-
sitiOn on partisan grounds.
The amendment of Mr. Vance requiring
that in the selection of the commissioners,
the President shall give representation to the
industries of agriculture and manufactures,
near as practicable in proportion to the cap
ital invested and the numbers of persons en-
gagged, was then taken up, and after some
discussion was rejected-ayes 81 noes 80.
Mr.. Allison moved to so amend the bill as
10 eXcluue the internal revenue system from
the investigation. Rejected.
Messrs. Jones, (FlOrida) Beck and Maxey
opposed the bill. The latter asserting that
the commission would flood the country with
literature gotten up in the interest of protec-
ted manufacturers.
Mr. Morgan argued that the measure would
postpone relief from the admitted abuses for
years.
Several other proposed amendments were
voted down. when the bill passed without
amendment-yeas IS, nays Is.
The bill provides for commission of nine
members to be appointed by the President
and confirmed BY the Senate. and to receive
as compensation for services $40 per day.
when actually employed. and travelling and
other necessary expenses. They are to in
vestlgate all the various questions relating to
| the agricultural, commercial. mercantile,
manufacturing, mining and industrial inter-
est of the United States, so far as the same
may be necessary to the establishment of a
judicious tariff. or the revision of the existing
| tariff, and existing system of internal revenue
| laws, upon scale of justice to all interests,
| and is to report to Congress from time to time
and to make final report not later than the
first Monday in January. 1888.
The Presidential count bill was then taken
up and laid aside as unfinished business.
Adjourned.