Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-23
PORTYSEyENTH CONGRESS.
second Session.
SENATE.

| WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
| As soon as the Journal was read, the Sen
ate. on motion of Mr.. Cameron (Pa.) went
into executive session.
| At ~ 20 the doors were re-opened.
| Mr.. Sherman moved to proceed to the con-
sideration of the bonded whiskey bill.
| Mr.. Hale hoped Mr.. Sherman would not
insist upon this motion, when the Senate vas
almost ready to dispose of the civil service
reform bill.
| Messrs Bayard and Ransom urged the
consideration of the resolution declaring the
sense OF the Senate in favor of allowing the
rebate on the stocks Of tobacco on hand, In
case of the repeal or reduction of the tax.
| Mr.. Sherman temporarily withdrew his
motion. and Mr.. Bayard called up the tobacco
resolution. Mr. Morrill, offered his amend
ment, modifying the resolution so as to
| promise rebate only in case of failure to
give ample notice in time, when the act to
reduce the tax shall take effect. He said the
tobacco trade was suffering from imaginary
evil. as there was no prospect of repeal OF
| the tax. or of its reduction below IL cents a
| pound. Mr. Bayard and Mr.. Beck opposed
Mr.. Morrills amendment. Mr.. Morgan said
! the resolution waswrong in principle. he gov
ernment could not refund taxes paid every
time it became necessary to change the rev.
enue tariff laws.
The Senate took up the bonded whiskey
bill Mr.. Morrill, offered an amendment pro-
viding that spirits produced on and after Jan.
LIST, 1884, shall be withdrawn within one
wear from the time they are entered or de-
posted in distillery warehouses. 1t was re-
| jected, ayes 2l, nays 80.
Mr. Morrilrs amendment was agreed to,
| a,es %, nays 16. The resolution as amend
ed was then adopted.
At o'clock the civil service bill came up
as unfinished business. Mr.. Sherman gave
notice that as soon as this bill was out of the
way he would move to proceed with the whis-
key bill.
| On motion of Mr.. Plumb, salaries of COM
missioners were reduced from $500 to
$500.
Later-Mr. Logan gave notice that he
| would move to make it $1,000.
Mr. Malone addressed the Senate in a
prepared speech. He thought the direct ac-
| countabiitv of pablic affairs to the people
the safest guarantee of proper discharge OF
their Cuties, and believed that the honorable
condition of the political parties would ever
serve to stimulate to such performance of
duties, and afford means of correcting
abuses, if these existed.
| The executive heads were responsible, and
reform could not be affected by interposing
an irresponsible agency like this commission
|
Turning from the bill Mr.. Malone pro-
ceeded to reply to Mr.. Eaton References
had been made by Mr.. Beck and Mr.. Bayard
| to himself in connection with federal patron
age in Virginia The circular letter issued
| BY him as chairman of the readjuster State
committee had been sent to 252 of the $500
postmasters in Virginia and only 50 respond
ed OF the other government officials in that
State, about 27O in number, the letter had
been sent to 46 and only sc responded. In
the departments in Washington, exclusive of
the bureau of engraving and printing and the
war department, there were 342 employees
charged to Virginia. The circular had been
sent to 90 of these and responses were re-
ceived from 40, and no authority over any of
| these employees had been consulted about
| the circular or informed to whom it had been
sent in any or what response had been
received. He then read from the Record
some remarks made by Mr.. Bayard in debate
on the Beck resolution for an investigation,
in which he spoke last of (the statements
published last fall that the decapitation of
| the unfortunate officials from Virginia was SO
general that the blanks were kept to be filled
out with the names Of the victims discharged
because they refused to make use of their
places for political ends. Mr.. Malone char
acterized this statement as ''from beginning
to end and in all parts untrue and without
the slightest foundation in fact" He chal-
lenged a searching examination Of the matter.
Mr. Voorhees,, on behalf of an agreement
that it should be taken up tomorrow after the
NOR ming business, and acted upon finally to-
morrow at 6 o'clock.
Mr.. Pendlcton was willing to agree to this
| if the unanimous consent could be obtained,
but Mr. Edmunds objected, preferring to sit
the bill out tonight. At 80 the Senate ad-
journed until tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania, chairman of
the committee on WAYS and means, acting
under the instructions of that committee,
mo ed that when the House adjourns tomor
row, it be to meet Wednesday next After a
vain attempt to secure a quorum, the motion
was Withdrawn.
Mr.. Rice Of Missouri, from the committee
on pensions, reported bill granting PEN
| sions to certain soldiers and sailors of the
Mexican and certain Indian wars. 1t was
referred to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Kelly again made a motion for ad
tournament from tomorrow until Wednesday.
A motion to adjourn from tomorrow till
Wednesday was agreed to.
The House then went into committee on
the army appropriation bill. After consid-
Grafton of the various amendments point
of no quorum was raised and the committee
rose and reported the absentees of the House.
The speaker announced the appointment
of Mr.. Hill on the committee on foreign af
fairs and Mr.. Mclean on the committee on
pensions.
There are 90 leaves of absence granted,
making a total Of l3l members absent on
leave, and then the House adjourned, the
common understanding being that no bust
ness will be transacted tomorrow.