Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-07
WASHINGTON.
New Bills Introduced in
Congress.
SENATORS AND THEIR HOBBIES
The Direct Tax Bill Discussed il
the H0use-Capital
Notes.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, December g. In the
Senate to-day a statement from the
Director of the Mint in response to Sen
ator Stewards resolution last session as
to the amount Of silver bullion offered
monthly to the Government since 1878,
was presented and ordered printed.
To that part of the Senate's inquiry
asking if the quotation of India Consul
bills in London enter into the determine
ton to any extent of what is the market
price of silver bullion in the United
States, the Secretary of the Treasury
says: ri have the honor to state that
the quotations of India Consul bills in
London so far enters into the determine
ton of the market price of silver bullion
in the United States as these quotations
enter into the market price of silver bull
lion in London, the market price in Lon
don determining as is we'll known, the
current market price in all other parts OF
the world, with minute differences as
affected by the cost of the transportation
OF silver bullion to London"
A communication from the Secretary
of State, with certified copy of the final
ascertainmeut of the Presidential Elect
ors in Kansas, was presented. The pre-
siding officer asked the opinion of the
Senate (this being an entirely new pro-
eeeding) as to the disposition to be made
of the papers, whether they should be
entered on the journal or placed in the
archives OF the Senate. They were
finally referred to the Committee Oh
Privileges and Elections.
Numerous bills were introduced and
referred, including Stewards to open to
actual settlers the abandoned n ilitary
reservations in Nevada; by Manderson,
for the establishment of National patho-
logical laboratory; by Blair, to organize
Government bureaus of information re-
lating to employments, occupations,
wants, means of livelihood and homes.
The Senate then resumed considera-
ton of the tariff bill, beginning with
earthenware and glassware.
Mcpherson said the rates provided in
the Senate bill were increased on exist
ing rates more than 10 per cent. His
own State was largely interested in these
industries, but he did not believe they
needed the amount of protection pro.
posed. The Mills bill, he thought, &C.
corded to them all the protection they
needed.
Plumb called attention to the para
graph as to silvered glass (No. 115), and
said such glass was largely used by fur
niture manufacturers and was almost en-
tirely of foreign make, because the silver
ing of such glass in the United States
was not durable. The duty added two
or three dollars to the cost of bureau,
and if the article was not made in the
country he did not see why the duty
should not be reduced.
Allison did not know why such glass
could not be properly silvered in the
United States, and suggested that it
might be on account of the duty being
too low, it being only equal to ten per
cent. ad valorem.
The Senate then proceeded to the con-
sideratiou of schedule G, relating to
metals. Plumb called attention to the
paragraph as to beams, girders and
joists; he spoke of the iron and steel
combinations in this country and in
stanced the Government building at
Wichita and the State House at Texas,
where large saving had been effected by
contracting for such work abroad. He
moved to amend by reducing the rate
from lie. per pound to s. of cent.
Harris moved to put the rate at 6 OF a
cent.
Allison opposed Harris amendment,
saying it went to the root of the whole
iron and steel schedule. He had no
doubt if the present rate was maintained
competition would be sufficient in short
time to break down prices.
Aldrich, Reagan, Harris, Hoar, Butler,
Plumb and Payne continued the discus
sion, but no vote was taken on the pend
ing amendments, and the bill was laid
aside. the progress for the day being
about eight pages. Adjourned until
Monday.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
Senator Butler introduced Joint reso-
luton, proposing constitutional amend
ment, enlarging the Presidential term to
six years. Tabled.
Senator Reagan introduced a bill for
the free coinage of silver. 1t provides
that all holders of silver bullion of the
value of $50 or more, shall be entitled to
have it coined into standard silver dol
lars, of 4121a grains, troy, to the dollar,
upon the same terms and conditions as
gold is now coined for private holders.
SENATOR MANDERsoN's BILL.
Senator Manderson's bill introduced
to-day provides for the establishment of
q National pathological laboratory at
Washington for the study and investiga-
ton of the nature and cause of contagious
and infectious diseases which threaten
and endanger the health of the people
and the livestock interests of the country.
The laboratory is to be under the general
supervision Of the Surgeon General
of the Marine Hospital service, and
under the special direction of two direct
ors, one of whom shall be skilled in ami
NAL and the other in human diseases. A
chemist distinguished for learning ia also
to be employed. An appropriation of
$550,000 is made for the purchase of
ground, the erection of buildings and
the purchase of necessary apparatus and
appliances.
SENATOR BLAIR's NEW BILL.
Senator Blair's bill was introduced to-
day, providing that there should be es-
tablished by the President, on the re-
commendation of the Commissioner of
Labor, throughout the United States in
geographical sections, which shall include
q population of not less than 100, 900, nor
more than 1900, 900 inhabitants, bureaus
of information relating to employment,
occupations, wants, means OF livelihood
\ fNr l.