The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON Dec. 19.-The senate bill
by Senator Harris r, pealing the tenth sec
ton of the act to prevent the introduction
of contagious diseases into the United
States was referred, and consideration o
the Indian appropriation bin resumed
Senator Plumb Directing to Senator Sher
man g attempt to get the bonded spirits
bill up.
Senator Conger thought that the ten
dency of the bill would be to encourage
the over-production of whisky. 1t was 8
measure in the interests of the whisky men
and at the end of this extension another
would be asked.
Senator Ingalls, moved to add a provi-
sion that from and after the expiration OF
three years from the entry of any distilled
spirits now IN warehouse, S per cent in
terest shall be collected on such Spirits to
be computed to the time of withdrawal.
He asked Senator Sherman what effect the
bill would have upon the revenue for the
next two years. He understood that on
the Both of June last there were 80, 000, 900
gallons of whisky in bond, of which about
10000, 900 gallons were held in Kentucky
alone.
Senator Sherman said it was about time
that the amount stated was held in bond
in Kentucky, but it was not owned there
It was sold in bond. The revenue would
not be materially effected by the passage
OF this bill because only a certain quantity
of spirits could be consumed aud if that
now in bond was forced upon the market
other whiskies would be withheld.
Senator Ingalls, amendment was agreed
to-yeas 80; nays, II.
Senator Edmunds called for a regular
order on the civil service bill.
Senator Sherman moved to postpone the
regular order so as to proceed with the
pending bill. On vote the motion was
lost-yeas, is; nays, 80.
Then, with the civil service bill before it,
the senate adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Mr Butterworth
reported the army appropriation bill, and
will ask for its consideration after the
postoffice bill is disposed of.
The Speaker presented requests for leave
of absence. Many objections were raised,
but several were granted.
Mr.. Brown thereupon denounced yester-
days proceedings as farce.
After warm debate the house agreed
1877 to 101-to take a holiday recess from
December 22d to January ID.
The house proceeded with the introduc-
ton of bills for reference, and then, in
committee, considered the postofice appro-s
priation bill.
Mr.. Williams, of Wisconsin, chairman
of the committee on foreign affairs, re
ported the joint resolution reciIing that
the government of France proposes to es
tablish at Tunis judicial system, common
among Christian nations, so that the courts
of that country shall be opened for the
protection of citizens of the United States
in their persons, property and rights, and
authorizing the President to declare that
right on the part of the United States and
its citizens to claim extra territorial juris-
diction within said territory of Tunis which
has ceased and will be no longer claimed
Passed.
The house then went into committee of
the whole (BIr. Calkins, of Indiana, in the
chair) on the postoffice appropriation BILL
the pending amendment being that offered
by Mr.. Robson, of New Jersey, providing
that railroad companies which have re
ceived bond subsidies in addition to grants
of public lands, shall receive as compen-
sation for carrying mails 80 per cent. of the
amount now allowed them by law for that
service. Mr.. Robson explained that his
amendment was intended as an amendment
to the charter of these railroads, declaring
the Legislative intention. It did not reduce
their compensations- largely; it reduced it
W Alb1sd1Ci CCuJ.s diIO WuCu tA&b
duction was made those roads would still,
have more compensation than other rail-
roads. This legislation was necessary IN
order that the question whether congress
has, or has not, control over this matter
should be brought fairly the test of a Judi
cial revision and settled for the present
and future.
Mr.. Hughitt, of New York, opposed the
amendment and said the proclamation
which sought to insert into the charters of
these companies was condition subse-
quent, and the authority for making this
new condition was claimed to be the right
TO alter, amend and repeal the original
acts. In the charters of the companies
there was provision that the rates paid
should be fair and reasonable The right4e
alter and amend the charters was reserved
in remarkable language, and better to &C
complish obligations this act of congress
may at any time, with due regard to the
rights of said companies so alter,
amend and repeal this act He had never
seen clause in any charter in which that
language was inserted. Having due re-
gard to the rights of said companies was
congress prepared to begin the work of
confiseaticn of private property which,
when once approved by vote of the house,
would proceed with fearful strides until it
ended in communism. The Pacific roads
were carrying $739. 900 worth and so per
cent of that amounted to @36, 900. IL the