Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-06
PORTY-SByRkfH CONGRESS.
second se.s1on.
WAsHIxGrou, Dec 5.

BIT. Brown presented the creOentI11S OF
Pope Barrow, chosen to ill the unexpired
term of the late Senator Hill Of Georgia
When the credentials we're read Senator Ed
munds remarked that the Governors certi-
ficate was not. in his judgment, in conform
ity with the act of Congress; but a. all knew
that Mr. Barrow had been regularly elected,
he would not urge that point. being content
to call attention to it, so that this defective
certificate should not be drawn into pre-
cedent.
The oath of Office was administered to the
new senator.
The President pro tenn laid on the table the
annual report of the Comptroller OF the Cur
rency. Ordered printed ON motion of Mr..
Anthony.
The standing anil select committees as
they existed last session. were continued.
Mr.. Saunders gave notice that At an early
day next week he would call up the pending
bill for the admission of Dakota.
Mr. Beck offered preamble and resolu-
ton setting forth the law against political
assessments, with copies of circulars asking
contributions for political purposes issued by
republican and readjuster committees during
the last campaign, and instructing the judi
ciary committee to investigate matters fully
and report by bill or otherwise on or before
Feb LIST, 1888. Mr.. Beck said he would call
up the resolution tomorrow.
| Mr. Platt offered resolution instructing
| the commissioner of pensions to give mass
| Of information under fourteen heads in re-
lation to the pension roll, and probable effect
upon it of the passage of House bill l4lO,
now pending in the Senate.
| Mr.. Bayard asked Platt to amend the res
olution so the act will call for the complete
alphabetical list of pensions.
| Mr.. Plat declined, as it would delay too
| long the information desired by the commit
tee on pensions.
In connection with the pending bill, the
resolution, at Mr.. Beck's suggestion, went
| over until Wednesday.
A resolution to meet at ii o'clock was re-
jected, leaving the hour of meeting az noon.
The Senate at 2 O'Clock, on motion of Mr..
Pendleton, adjourned as a mark of respect
to the late Representatives Updergraff and
Lowe.
HOUSE.
The House met at noon and the Speaker
laid on the table the annual report of the
comptroller of the currency.
Judge Kelly of Penn, chairman of the
committee on WAYS and means, reported
bill to abolish the internal revenue tax on
snuff, cigars and cigarettes. 1t was referred
to a committee of the whole and minority
granted leave to fill minority report.
The House committee on ways and means
! later adopted a report in favor of the bill
abolishing all internal revenue taxes on to-
baccO, snuff, cigars and cigarettes. The
revenue derived from tobacco in 1882 was
over SAT 100000; chewing and smoking to-
bacco alone yielded S25, OOO, 900.
The report made by Mr.. Kelley states that
the committee is persuaded that the time has
I
upon tobacco growers-especially the small
planters whose places are remote from the
popular highways of travel and therefore in
access only to licensed dealers in leaf tobac-
co-should be repealed, as tobacco is one of
our staples that enters largely into our inter-
national trade. The government should, at
the earliest possible day, remove everv re-
strictiOn therefrom as a measure of sound
commercial policy. The committee amend
ed the bill by fixing the date at which it shall
| take effect on the LIST of July, 1883, instead
of the LIST of January, 1884, as proposed by
the original bill. and with this amendment
recommend its adoption.
Mr.. Anderson of Kansas, asked that the
bill be read.
Mr.. Kasson Of Indiana, stated, in explana-
ton, that the tax was taken off of tobacco in
all its forms, to take effect July next, and
provisions of the bill.
Mr. Mills Of Texas, asked that it be made
in order to offer amendments reducing the
customs duties, but the speaker ruled that it
was not now in order.
Mr.. Kendall of Pennsylvania, speaking as
a member of the ma ority of the committee,
had no objection TO having the two reports
printed together, provided the minority did
not too long delay in preparing its views.
Mr.. KassOn, as member of the minority.
| thought that the minority views could pre-
pare and present this week a bill to amend
the revised statutes so as not to exclude re-
tired army officers from holding civil offices
in the territories. The suggestion gave rise
| to some discussion, but finally it went over,
| pending motion to consider vote by which
| it was indefinitely postponed.
The bill to appeal and amend certain acts
pertaining to shipment and discharge of sea-
men was passed. The bill embodies sub
stantally modification of the law recon-
mended by the joint special committee, hav-
ing in charge the question of the decline of
American shipping.
message from the Senate announced the
death of Benjamin II. Hill of Georgia, and
after few touching remarks by Mr.. Ham,
mond of Georgia, the House As a mark of
respect to the memory Of the deceased ad-
journed.
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.