The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-10
THE HOUSE.
The Day Devoted Chiefly to Discussing the
River and Harbor Bill.

River and Harbor Bill.
WAsHINeToN, June 9.-The Republican side
of the House was reinforced this morning by
the return of a number of members from the
Chicago convention.
Bills were introduced and referred, as follows:
By Mr.. Dingley: To amend the act authoriz
ing the formation Of national banking associa-
tons. It provides that in all suits at law or in
equity now pending, or hereafter brought to
enforce the liability of shareholders in national
banking associations for contracts and debts
and engagements of such associations, to the
extent of the amount of their stock therein at the
par value thereof, in accordance with the
provisions of the Revised Statutes, stock
holders shall have the right to set up
in defense thereof an equitable discharge
from that liability by voluntary payment made
before an assessment is levied upon the stock by
the Comptroller of the Currency to enforce said
liability, or any other equitable defense which
said stockholders may have to such suits.
By Mr.. Golf: To repeal all internal revenue
taxes on tobacco.
The House went into committee of the whole,
Mr.. WeTlborn in the chair, on the river and har-
Dor bill.
Mr.. Willis explained the bill.
Mr.. Jones, of Wisconsin, opposed it.
Mr.. ONeill, of Missouri, favored liberal APP
preparations for improvement of the Mississippi
river, ana NOpeu congress would ne governed DN
no small, picayunish considerations in providing
for Improvement of the waterways of the coun-
try.
Mr.. Blanchard spoke in support of the bill and
in advocacy of the Hennepin canal project.
Mr.. Henderson supported the route proposed
by the bill for a canal.
Mr.. Gibson dwelt upon the necessity of pro
viding cheap transportation from the interior to
the s%eaboard, and cOntended that this could be
best accomplished by Improvement of the navi-
gable rivers Of the country.
Mr.. Potter thought the Hennepin canal should
be constructed by Illinois, without aid from the
government.
Mr.. Niece said the canal was a work of ma
tional Importance, and should receive govern
ment assistance.
Mr.. Murphy spoke warmly in favor of the con
~struction of the canal.
General debate then cl sed, and, without
action the committee rose ana the floor was ac-
corded the committee on District of Columbia
A number of bills of local interest were passed,
and then the Speaker appointed Messrs.
Foran, ONeill, of Missouri, and James CON
ferees on the bill to establish a bureau of labor
statistics.
A Senate bill was passed authorizing the con
~struc5icn of bridges across the Willamette river.
A Senate bill was passed to fix the terms of
United States Circuit and District Courts in the
Eastern and Northern districts of Texas. A
Senate bill was passed placing Newport News
on an equal footing with other ports of entry in
regard to immediate transportation of dutiable
goods.
The House then rose till s p. NJ.
AT the evening session of the House, numer-
Gus amendments increasing the appropriations
offered and voted down. After completing con
sideration of six of the forty seven pages of the
bill the committee rose, and the House ad-
journed,