The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-13

! codify the law relating to bills Of exchange.
| This is substantially the English law, and the
| bill is an English print, with the amendments
necessary TO extend its provisions to this
| country
The Senate bill to prevent and punish coun-
terfeiting within the United States of securities
Of foreign governments was passed
| Mr.. Eaton submitted report on the petition
of William Webster, citizen of the United
! States, who claims to have been unlawfuly de
| prived of a tract of land in New Zealand. a
resolution accompanying the report transfers
the petition to the President, with request that
he take such steps as he deems proper to inquire
into the injuries suffered by Webster by reason
of this act of the British government and secure
proper compensation therefor Placed on the
House calendar.
Mr.. Cobb, from the committee on public lands,
reported a bill to repeal all laws providing for
pre- emption of public lands. and all laws relat-
ing to entries for timber culture. Placed on the
House calendar
The following conference committees We're ap-
pointed: On the Fitz John Porter bil-Messrs.
Slocum Morgan and Steele. On the bill estab-
| fishing bureau of animal industry--Messrs.
Hatch of Missouri Dibrell and Wilson of Iowa
The House then proceeded to consideration of
business relating to the District of Columbia
and consideration OF the bill appropriating $780,
600 to complete the sewerage system of the Dis
trict continued in committee of the whole.
The committee rose and reported to the House,
and the bill was passed
A bill was also passed for increasing the water
supply Of the city of Washington. and for pro-
lection of fish in the Potomac.
The next bill considered was one relating to
the police regulations of the District of Columbia
The sections prohibiting sales of lottery tickets
gave rise to some discussion, Mr. Browne, Of
Indiana, characteriziug the Louisiana State Lot
terry the colossal swindle of the age. He was
informed that the clerks in one of the govern
ment departments expended 81, 600 monthly in
lottery tickets. The Louisiana Lottery Company
defed the courts, the departments and pub
lie opinion, but it should not be allowed to defy
Congress.
prohibit an individual from spending his money
as he saw fit. Did the gentleman from Indiana
think Congress should prevent five six respect
able gentlemen from sitting down to a game OF
poker! He did not want any of this puritancal
kind of Legislation. The whole thing was hum
bug, and when the House got through with this
bill, he would move to strike out the enacting
clause, and commit the morality of the nation TO
the State of Indiana as its political virtues had
been committed to the State of Ohio.
Mr.. Weller, while expressing opposition to all
games of chance, from pitching pennies 20
gambling in breadstufs, did not regard the
Louisiana Lottery as the colossal swindle of the
age, but thought that title more applicable to
the national bank system
Mr. Skinner, of New York, offered an amend
ment repeating all laws requiring commercial
travellers to pay license tax to the District of
Columbia. The amendment was adopted and
the bill passed.
Mr. O'Neill, of Missouri, introduced the fol-
lowing BILL
Whereas, the existing tariff taxes on articles of
food increase the cost of living to the people and pro
duce large surplus revenue, therefore, be it enacted
that from and after July l, 1884, the following
named articles be exempt from duty viz. raw sugar
refined; molasses salt rice, barley potatoes oat
meal currants and raisins lrunes, peas and beans,
butter and cheese live animals, vegetables, chicory
Referred.
Mr. O'Nel estimated that the bill would ae-
complish a reduction of $57 900, 900 in the reve-
nues. Adjourned.