Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-14
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
Refundins Monies to the Several
State Governments.
The Abolition Of the Internal Revenue
Taxation Discussed.
The Blair Educational Bill Up for Con-
sideration-Other Matters Presented
in Congress on Friday.
W WAsHINGTOS, Jan. IL.
SENATE.

amendment offered by Mr.. Hoar.
Mr. Chandler moved to recommit the bill.
This afternoon Senator Riddle berger
moved TO proceed TO executive business in
order TO stop the discussion on the bill to
credit and pay to several States, territories
and the District of Columbia all monies col
ected under the direct tax of the fifth of
August, l86l. Riddleberger was proceeding
to state his understanding of the agreement
to do so when he was informed by the
presiding officer that debate was not in order.
Kiddeberger demanded the yeas and nays On
his motion. The motion was rejected 26 to
20, party vote except Riddleberger, who
voted with the democrats.
After some remarks by Gail, Riddlcberger
renewed his motion to proceed to executive
business The motion again defeated,
2G to q, Rlddleberger again voting with the
democrats
The above mentioned bill was then laid
aside, and Vance proceeded to address the
Senate on the resolution offered by Brown
proposing to abolish internal revenue taxa
ton, Vance favored reduction of the tar
i'll taxes and the tax On whskey He pro-
ceeded with much detail to illustrate the
many Inconsistencies. in the tariff particu-
larly, as bearing against articles consumed
by the poor, and in favor of those consumed
by the rich. He declared that the central
theory of the tariff was equity. He was
opposed to the whole thing and should not
vote to put anything on the free list, the tax
on which was pure revenue, and should strive
earnestly to reduce taxation on the necessa-
ries of life He should discriminate in moth
ing except against luxuries and in favor of
the helpless.
The resolution was laid aside and the Blair
IL ral hill faE IfIfin al
argument being made against it by Gray, In
the course of his argument Gray asked what
truth had been so clearly established during
the last century as this, that the greatest
measure of liberty and the highest type of
citizenship and civilization had been achieved
and maintained by local self government.
This was the educating influence which the
bill ignored and tended to destroy. The real
danger to the republic was not in illitcracy,
but in such bills as this. directed against the
experiment of self government.
The bill went over as unfinished business
and the Senate at 4.35, adjourned till Mon
day.
The bill relating to permissible marks,
writing or printing on second, third and
fourth class matter was taken from the table
and passed.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the private calender.
The afternoon was consumed i'll discus
sion of two bills of private character one to
carry out the findings of the court of clairss
in the case of James H. Ayres, and one re-
fcrrng to the court of claims, the claim of
the owners of the steamer, |. \. Bunton.
When the committee rose, the former bill
was passed but no action was taken on the
latter.
Morrow, California from the committee
on Foreign Affairs, reported joint resolu ,
tion appropriating S50,o to enable the
government to participate in the international
exhibition at Melbourne, Australia in April. |
1855
Referred to committee of the whole,
The House at 5.lj adjourned.
Congressman Dingley had an interview
with Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Maynard, Thurday, with reference to Custom
House officials in the Second Congressional
District of Maine.
The Secretary had received the report of
the Special Agent at Boston, who it seems
did not go to Maine recently, claiming that
he had obtained full information ON recent
visit. On the basis of this report, and the /
information furnished by Mr.. Dngley, the |
department promised to modify the original
order so far as to authorize the appointment !
of Deputy, but no other officer for Booth
bay, in addition to Deputy at Wiscasset;
an additional Deputy in the Waldoboro dis I
trict and Deputy at Camden, and another
at North Haven in the Belfast district.
The Secretary assured Mr.. Dingley that
the custom offices at Boothbay. Damaris- 1
Gotta, St George, Thomaston, Camden,
aud North Haven should be provided for,
The following is the full text of the bill in
troduced by Mr.. Dingley authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to contract for the
construction of naval vessels by private cit
zens who obligate themselves to establish
iron and steel ship yards in the United States
Whereas the experience of maritime ma
tons has shown that the possession of nu-
merous well-equipped private shipbuilding
establishments is essential, not only for the
maintenance of large merchant marine but
also for the construction of naval vessels and
government transports in the exigency of
war; and
Whereas the founders and the recent de-
Tenders of our government were so impress
ed with the Importance OF this truth that JEFF
ferson, speaking for the former, de-
clared in his celebrated report on
commerce. that establishments in readiness
for shiphuildlng are indispensable TO the
protection of our commerce and the defense
of our sea-board;" :" aud Admiral Porter,
speaking for the latter, affirmed, in his testi
mouv before the senate naval committee of
the forty-eighth Congress that, in case of
war with a naval power, the salvation of
the country would depend upon our private
ship building yards, and their plant accu-
mulated during peace, for which reason,
he aided, I'VE should encourage the estab-
lishment and maintenance of such yards by
has been done by Great Britain There
fore,
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
Secretary of the Navy he, and hereby is.
authorized, in the construction of vessels for
the navy, 10 invite proposals and enter into
contract for the building of such vessels,
not only by the owners of private ship yards
already established, but also by such respons-
ible citizen or citizens as will obligate them
selves to establish iron and steel ship wards
at suitable points in the United States
for the construction of vessels for the Merchant
marine, as well as naval vessels; and for
this purpose the Secretary of the Navy shall
have authority TO enter into contracts on
such special terms as seem 10 him hest calcu-
lated TO secure the end sought Provided,
that such contracts shall first be approved by
the President of the United States.
The bill has been referred 10 the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs for consideration.
/ An Exciting Wrestling Match