National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
THE HOUSE.

There was a struggle In the house yesterday for
precedence between tho legislative and the river
and harbor appropriation bills.
Mr.. Randall thought that IL would expedite
business TO have the former bill passed before to-
IN arrow, as q number of gentlemen on the repub.
lican SIDE would then leave for Chicago In this
view he was re- enforced by Mr.. Cannon.
Mr.. Willis held contrary opini9n;. aud Mr.,
blanchard called attention To the fact that, while
congress could not adjourn without passing the
legislative bill, II might adjourn without passing
the river and harbor bin, and there was danger
that II would do so unless that bill was now con.
considered.
The legislative bill was successful and the house
went into committee Of the whole (Mr Cox, of
New York, in the chair for its consideration.
The amount appropriated is $40, being
an increase OF ses' 100 over me appropriation for
the GU rent year, and s0Ss,626 less than the
estimat.s.
Mr.. Holman briefly explained the provisions of
the PHI, stating that the only changes from exist
ing law which thev contained was one reducing
the number of internal revenue collection dis
tricts from eighty four to sixtythree and one iu
creasing the force IN the pension office.
Mr. Cannon criticised the bill more for its sins of
omission than for those Of commission.
Mr.. Thompson favored the adjustment of the
entire present system for the collection of internal
revenue taxes and the granting TO the secretary
Of the treasury power to consolidate collection
districts.
Mr. Dorsheimer urged the consolidation of the
customs and internal revenue bureaus saying that
tins would be an economy worth making and
would work great improvement in administra.
ton.
Mr. Randall said that for one he was quite will.
ing to reduce the number of internal revenue coll
leCtors or TO consolidate the internal revenue with
the custom service. He sent to the clerks desk
and had read for information an amendment
which is now being considered by the subcOm-
mitlee Of the appropriations committee, having IN
charge the sundry civil bill. The amendment
directs the President to Teorganze and Cousol-
date the customs collection districts so that they
shall not exceed sixty-seyen IN number, and TO
fix the boundaries of such reorgauized districts
and designate ports of entry therein IL IL made
4 n ~ IA
In the regular book of estimates estimates speCi-
flying in detail the number and class Of officers
and employees of every grade and nature, with
the rate of compensation to each that may be
necessary properly TO conduct the business OF col
lecting the revenue.
Mr., Randall expressed his Indifference as to
whether the amendment should be offered to the
pending Dill or to the sundry civil bill
Mr. Cannon, Mr.. Long, and Mr.. HisCOck thought
that this matter should not be considered until
the sundry civil bill was before the house,
Mr., Thompson gave notice of an amendment
which, ut tho proper time, he would offer to the
pending bill, consolidating customs and internal
revenue districts, aud establishing one tax colec-
u9m district IN each state and territory.
Inc Dill was then read by paragraph for amend
ment.
The paragraph specifying the committee of the
house which shall be entitled 10 annual clerks
gave rise to good deal OF discussion, and IL hav-
ing been passed from, Mr.. Bedford offered m
amendment granting every member private
clerk Ruled out on point Of order,
Mr.. Belford then offered an amendment provid-
ing mat In conformity with ciyil service reform
pr'HVlploe' no committee clerk shall perform any
service of clerical or other character Tor any
member OF the house, rendering him liable to re-
moYal for violation Of this prOvso and subject
ing to censure, fine, or imprisonment At the dis
erection OF the house, any member requesting or
permitting such service.
This was adopted amid good deal of merri.
nent. AMER completing the confederation of
thirteen Of the ninety'six pages Of the bill the
lOmmittee rose
TUE AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Mr.. Dibrell submitted the conference repOrt ON
the agricultural appropriation bill and It was
adopted
Nj. Scales. from the committee on printing, 10