The National tribune., 1888-02-16
CONGRESS.
An Abstract Of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TrrspAY. FEB. z.


son To examine into the charges against the
priesthood Of the Roman Church on account OF
auricular confession, and petition from the
Woman's Christian Union Of Kansas praying
for the abolition of internal-reyenue taxes on
liquor.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
resolution Of Senator Sherman to refer the
Presidents message TO the Committee on III
nance, and Senator Patt made an argument
against that document which, he Claimed,
meant the absolute and final destruction OF the
protective system and practically an absolute
free trade He said, among other things that
he wanted to put il on record that cheap raw
materials were the badge OF poverty the world
over He did not want wool from Australia; iron
ore from Spain, Algeria, Cuba, Elba; lumber
from Canada; coal from Nova Scotia. and salt
from Turks Island Oh the free list, which would
mean the destruction Of 100000 Of Amerl-
can capital and taking away the employment
Of 100000 TO $4,000 American workmen. We
had production Of manufactured goods equal
70 S6000000000 in the United States. The
object of the free-trader in reducing the duties
was that he mig ht buy foreign products. 1t was
admitted, and there is no free-tradeT but what
would admit, that One-tenth OF our production
would come from abroad under destruction OF
the protective system. That is S60000O,OOO
year that we give up Of our own market. III
meant the destruction Of one-teath o. the capt.
tai employed in manufacturing enterprises; the
throwing out of employment permanently, one
tenth of the artisans employed in manufactur-
ing operations, and sending them to the farm
or the poorhouse Ii was pitiful privilege
that the President offered the manufacturers OF
the United States They were TO get raw ma
terials. but they would have to 20 from home
20 find a market for their manufactured prod
ucts Foreign trade was desirable but 1t IS not
worth obtaining at the sacrifice OF the trade of
he rr1arvel of Gods
own civilization, and TO give up q tenth or
twentieth Of it in the hope that we might IN
souae way compensate ourselves by getting the
markets Of the world, as they are called, was
the hight OF folly and absuTdity. We were not
going to sell our goods in England, France, Bel
GUM, Germany or Holland, in competition with
the foreign manufacturers. Freight and factor
age were against Us. We were not going TO sell
in English lands where she holds them b. the
strong power Of her army. Our only hope was
South America: and if We could get all the
trade Of South America, II would not be b per
cent Of our home market.
Senator Dolph called up the bill for the pay
ment OF the unpaid balance on Oregon and
Washington Territory Indian war claims for
the suppression Of the Indians in 1886. The
amount appropriated was g, 296, 65S.Sl, and he
made an extended argument in favor Of the
passage Of the bill aud the payment Of this
money to whom il was owing. At the conclu-
sion OF his speech the bill, on Senator Doph's
motion. was referred TO the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs
in the House, Mr.. Kelley Pa asked unani-
nous consent for the printing in the Record Of
the petition which he sent to the desk repre-
Fenting 390 wooden and worsted mills located
IN u Of the States Of the Union, and large
number Of the merchants of New York asking
for the passage OF the resolution providing for
the classification Of worsted cloth as wooden
cloth. The petition says that this will wipe
cut q distinction between goods which are of
the same kind IS regards material and cost Of
production. and dispose Of discrimination be-
tween products which is absolutely destructive
IN its effects and which 10 one, proteetionist,
tariff reformeT, OF free-trader holds should be
tolerated for a moment" The petition says it
takes four pounds Of wool to make pound of
cloth. hence the American manufacturer pays q
duty Of 10 eo1S 4 pound-90 cents, while the
foreign manufacturer IN everything pays an
ad yaioTem Of only 351 cents making dis
elimination against the American manufacturer
OF about Al cents pound.
Nh Landes called Up the resolution and re-
port from the Committee on Banking and Cur
Tency IN regard TO the limit TO the issue Of
Freenbacks. This resolution recited that the
act OF 1873 fixes the amount of greenbacks to
be issued at 1916 GsI Ol6, and the Secretary Of
the Treasury was requested 70 inform the
House # X was within his knowledge, whether
any portion Of tie said amount had been lost
or destroyed, the probable amount Of such loss,
what percentage Of such notes were IN actual
existence now, and what legislation was neces-
saTy 70 maintain said circulation al the lawful
limit
Ny. Weaver denied that there was any limit
fixed 10 the issue; but there was limit fixed
20 the destruction Of legal-tcnder notes
The law Of Feb. e. 1873, provided that the
-ar-N ant
more Of them, ana the law left the amount o.
legal-tender notes at S3f6,000.000
Hr. Anderson said that the point he had IL
his mind was the minimum limit. The limit
might be a maximum or a minimum, and the
Law IN question only fixed the minimum limit
Mr. Weaver said that the law fixed 10 limi
whatever except that il took away from The
Treasury Department the power to destroy
legal tender notes.
Mr.. Randall said the Government had neve
reduced, so far as his knowledge extended. tn
amount Of legal-tender notes below the S3i6,
003,0g0. The Government had reissned worI
AID delaced notes, keeping always within tn
limit. What amount Of the greenbaclls la
been destroyed is a pertinent inquiry; but !
did not matter what that amount might be- th
Government would have the authority to issue
IL they knew Of the destruction Of any portion
Of the issne. up 70 the aggregate Of S346,0000 0C
The resolution was adopted.
Dir. Seney, from the Committee on the Ju
ciciary, reported back adversely the joint rcsc
lut50n proposing an amendment 70 the Con
BtitufiOn Of the United States.
Mr. Gear, from the Committee on Militar
Affairs. reported back adversely the bill for tn
relief Of Marcus A. Reno.
Mr. Maish, from the Committee on Militar
Affairs, reported back with a favorable recon
nendatiou the bill il. 4. 5233} for the relic
Of Haj.-Gen. w. W. Ayercll; which was referre
70 The Committee Of the Whole House on ia
Private Calendar.
BIT. Cul5ersou called up the bin to amend tn
section OF the Revised Statutes which provid,
for the punishment OF the President, Directo
Cashier. Teller, Clerk Or Agent Of any assecii
ton who embezzJs funds or credits. puts In ci
cuiation notes without authority from the D
rect0rs, or in amy way Injuries or defrauds d
association. This was amended. the ament
ment proposed being 10 punish making false e.
tries reports or statements 20 the Controller
the Currency, or the suppression or concea
Iaeut Of any material facts with the intent
deceive the Controller. Under the existii
law an officer Of . National Bank, If be d
celves the Bank Examiner is liable to pc
atty. but il he c0ilDdes with the Bank Z
Ruincr % deceive the Controller Of the Gu
rency be is not subject 10 q penalty. To su
Elythis omission is the sole purpose Of the pen
AZ bill
The BIZ was passed as amended.
Nh. Henderson O.. C. reported bin for {
amendment Of tie internal revepue laws, viii
changes those now ia force so as 10 permit {
Hassfsr -. n a.