The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-12-15
DoINGs OF CONGRESS.
More Than 1000 Bills introduced In the
House.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-The Senate
was in session less than two hours to-
day, and a large part of that time was
In executive session, considering nOmi-
nations by the President and discussing
the revised rules as reported by the
COMMITTEES.
In the House bill-day WAS continued,
and through the entire session the
stream flowed necessarily, and yet the
end of the roll of states was not reached.
Nearly 800 bills were introduced yester-
day, and little over 100 today, with
several states yet to hear from. The
bills were generally of the same char
acter as on yesterday, the majority OF
them being of private nature, for the
relief Of or granting pensions to indi-
viluals. IL is estimated that nearly
two thirds of the whole number are Old
bills left over from the last Congress,
and which to get through.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 14.-The Senate
took up the resolution offered yesterday
by Mr.. Beck, directing the Secretary Of
the Treasury to furnish information
concerning the sinking fund, &C., aud
Mr.. Beck addressed the Senate. He said:
1t is perfectly apparent the request Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury, made in
a recent report, to keep up taxation he
yOnd the wants of tho Government, 30
at least $50,O0O,OO0 can be applied to the
sinking fund, ought not to be complied
with, and his own report seems to fur
niIh a basis for the statement. When
the Information asked for Is presented,
he would show we have paid seven hum
dTed million of dollars of the public
debt beyond what any creditor can say
good faith required for the maintenance
of the sinking fund, under any laws or
nj hah Wn
now to say what every creditor of the
United States wants us to say, that
there is no necessity of keeping up tax
alton to the extent of providing $4,000
600 year, which the Secretary recon-
mends, but we ought to allow Outstand
ing bonds to remain as security for the
circulation of national banks, and such
other purposes as they are needed for,
and we ought to reduce taxation. He
would not say how, but i'll some proper
way, we ought to give the people relief
from OneTOus taxation, The sinking
fund has been fully and fairly provided
for, he said, for the next twenty years to
come. The purpose of the fund was to
give assurance or security the debt
would be paid. This 1t amply does, and
would do without the necessity of fol-
lowing the recommendation of the Sec
retaTy of the treasury.
Mr. Sherman said he had no objection
whatever to the resolution calling for
information, but the published state
ments relating to the sinking fund CON
tain all the material necessary from
which to derive particulars the gentle
man from Kentucky (Beck) desires. At
the present rate the sinking fund would
pay off the national debt in about four
teen years. He believes the policy a
good one which preserves the sinking
fund intact. There should be no inter-
TuptiOn to that policy, except under eX-
traOrdinary pressure, which should be
only temporary, resumed at the earliest
moment, and persevered in until the
public debt is paid off to the uttermOst
faTthing.
Mr.. Beck, in reply, said he desired no
action or legislation to injure the pub
lie faith or credit, but on the contrary
wanted to maintain it; but to do so by
taxation for legitimate purposes, not
for the purpose of accumulating money
at the rate of $50,000,OO0 a year, or ad-
vacing the prospects of any man to
nomination.
Mr.. Bayard moved an amendment to
the resolution, so as to call also for re-
port showing under precisely what pro-
vision of law the reduction of the pub
lie debt has been effected.
The amendment Of Mr.. Bayard was
agreed to, and the resolution as amen
ded was agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson called up his joint resOIu-
tiOn proposing an amendment to the
Constitution relating to the civil rights
citizens, and moved reference to COM
mittee on judiciary. The resolution
proposes the following article, the
amendment to be numbered article Is:
Congress shall have power, by appTO-
pirate legislation, to protect citizens of
the United States in the exercise and
enjoyment of their rights, privileges
and immunities, and assure them the
equal protection of the laws"