The Indianapolis journal., 1884-01-26
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
The Alaska Civil Government and Presi-
Dental Inability Bills Passed.


Dental Inability Bills Passed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Mr. Blair introduced
bill to provide for the free circulation Of news
papers and other periodicals and publications
within the State where published. Referred
Mr. Cameron, of Wisconsin, presented petit
ton from the Merchants Association of Milwau-
kee, praying for retaliatory legislation against
foreign nations who exclude American meats
The petitioners aver that the wines of these for
eign countries are much adulterated and should
be excluded. Referred.
Mr.. Sherman called up his resolution on the
Virginia and Mississippi elections
Mr.. Lamar hoped consideration would be post
poned until Monday.
Mr.. Sherman had no objection, and the CON
sideration of the resolution went over until
Monday
Mr. Miller of California, presented a petition
from the Chamber of Commerce of San Fran
cisco, praying Congress to increase the strength
and efficiency of the navy.
Mr. Gibson introduced bill to facilitate the
reform of the civil service.
Mr.. Bayard from the committee on finance
reported favorably the bill providing for the is
sue of circulating notes of national banking as
scciations. Placed on the calendar.
The House having disagreed to the Senate
insisted upon its amendment A committee of
conference was appoinred.
Mr.. Beck called up his bill intended to prohibit
the Secretary of the Treasury from purchasing
bonds above par He argued that if our revenues
go on increasing beyond needs as at present and
purchases are made by the Treasurer as he sees
ht, there will be quite as much instability in the
bonds as in the bank circulation based on them.
The bill under which the Treasurer professed to
act was simply to provide for an emergency then
existing, and not to give the Secretary absolute
power to go into the market to buy bonds at a
premium of 20 or "a per cent, or whatever other
price holders chose to demand. The intention
of the act was that the Secretary should buy
such bonds as the government had then the
right to redeem at par, instead of buying up
those bonds now at high premium.
Mr. Beck thought better plan would be to
accumulate less surplus and thus reduce the
taxation.
Mr. Morrill, said it was profitable, considering
the time the four-percents had to run, to buy
them even at II or Is per Cent premium, and
reinvest The fact that our bonds are at a
premium should not be subject of reproach
but of compliment.
The bill was referred to the committee on fl
nance.
The Alaska bill was then taken up
Mr. Harrison moved to amend so as to pay the
actual travelling expenses of marshals and a
salary. Agree to- The consideration of the
bill having been completed and adopted in com
mittee of the whole it was reported to the Sen
ate, the only reservation being on the prohibi-
ton clause. That clause prohibits the importa-
ton, manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors
in Alaska, except for medicinal and scientific
purposes, and led to quite a long debate, but the
bill passed with the prohibition clause retained.
Mr.. Hoar then called up his bill providing for
the performance of the duties of President and
Vice-presdent in case of removal DEATH resg
nation or inability of the President and Vice
president 1t was read three times and passed.
In the contingency referred to- the bill vests the
right to perform the Presidents duties in the
Secretary of State, or in case there be none,
then in the Secretary of the Treasury, or in case
there be no Secretary of the Treasury, then in
the Secretary of War, and SO on through the
Cabinet
until Monday.