Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-15
CONGRESs


The House discussed an important measure
last week, which appears in both branches OF
Congress with the Endorsement OF the com.
mittee on agriculture. Itisa bill to prevent
the expectation Of diseased cattle and to pro-
vide means for the suppression and extirpa-
ton Of plouro-pneumonia and other conta-
pious diseases among domestic animals. II
authorizes the commissioner Of agriculture to
organize a bureau of animal industry, with q
competent veterinary surgeon at it's head
with salary of $4,000, to report on the con-
dilion Of the domestic animals of the country
and upon the existence of contagious and
communicable diseases There may also be
appointed two agents, who shall be stock
raisers or business men, to report on the cat
tie trade the manner OF transportation, deal
ing and other points, with a view to the sup
preston of disease. Whenever any state in
which pleuro- pneumonia or other infectious
or contagious disease exists is willing to nc
cept the cooperation Of the federal authorities,
the commissioner of agriculture is authorized
to expend as much as may be necessary in in
vestigating the disease and paying for ami
mails killed to prevent the spread Of the dis
ease provided the state pay one-half Of the
value Of the cattle and of the cost of disinfec-
ton. II any state or territory fails to extir-
pate such disease, the President may declare
it in quarantine and regulate or prohibit the
transportation of cattle out of the same. The
secretary Of the treasury is authorized to take
measures to prevent the expectation Of dis
eased cattle railroads and all common carri-
ers are forbidden to take them for transpor-
tation, and no person shall drive them upon
the highways The bill is accompanied by a
report in its favor embodying memorials
from the Legislature of Montana and the
stock breeders association of Minnesota and
Iowa in favor Of some action to prevent the
spread of pleuro- pneumonia from the middle
states westward. In New Jersey, Pennsylva-
MIA and Maryland there have recently been
extensive outbursts. In fact a narrow strip
of territory from Connecticut to Virginia COW
ers about the whole region Of infection, say
~ or 10 counties.
The bill, which is a radical measure was
in charge Of Mr. Hatch Of Missouri, and one
of the ablest speeches in its favor was made
by James Wilson OF Iowa. an Engishman by
birth, who recalled the fact that this disease
had cost Great Britain and her dependencies
$500, 200, 900. A case has never been discov-
cred west of the Alleghanies, and this is why
the West and Northwest demand this legisla-
ton.
Mr. Morrill, OF Vermont, from the commit
tee on finance reported a bill on Tuesday re-
lating to the coinage. It authorizes the di-
rector of the mint, with the approval of the
secretary of the treasury, to employ tempo
rarily five persons distinguished in art or in
knowledge of coinage and medals TO investi.
gate and examine our system of coinage with
a view to its improvement. Any person whose
designs for any coin shall be adopted is to be
paid The sum of $50 for each design. The
secretary of the treasury, the secretary Of
state and the director of the mint are requir-
al 10, 4
proved by the persons thus employed and
make report TO Congress before December
/, 1884.
Mr.. Morrill, has again been successful in
passing through the Senate his bill TO erect a
congressional library building. On Tuesday
this bill, which proposes to purchase q site
east of the capitol for $780, 600, and to COM
mence the erection of q public building upon
it which will cost three millions, was passed
with very little objection. The friends of
this bill are very hopeful that it will pass the
House. There seems kinder feeling toward
it than there was in the last Congress.
1t is said that the bill to pension survivors
of the Mexican and some of the Indian wars
would require $500 600.
Mr.. Voorhees, of Indiana asked and obtain
cd unanimous consent to introduce out of the
regular order bill to prohibit officers and
employees of the United States from contrbu-
ting money for political purposes.
The biggest farce of the season was the
Democratic caucus hold Tuesday evening to
determine upon some course of action touch
ing tariff legislation. About 40 Democrats
were brave enough to cut their way through
the fog to the capitol and the Craftsmanship
was successfully offered to Holman and Nor
rison, but neither of them would accept As
the final act of desperation the caucus chose
Sunset Cox, and, seeing what they had done,
Immediately adjourned without the transac-
ton of further business.