Butte semi-weekly miner., 1888-01-18
f|FT|ETH CONGRESS.
The Senate Still Defers Consideration
of Lamar's Nomination.
Vance Thinks the Central Theory of
the Tariff an Iniquity.
Stewart Introduces an Amendment
Looking to Bullion Certificates.
An Appropriation for Representation
at the Melbourne Exposition.
Both Houses Adjourn Oyer Until
Next Monday.

WASHINGTON, January 13.-The direct
tax act was taken up, the question beins
on verbal amendment offered by Mr.
Hoa- when the bill was up some days ago
After considerable discussion Mr.. Riddle.
berger made a motion to go into executive
session, his purpose being to forward action
on the nomination OF Lamar. The motion
was lost by tie, twenty-six to twenty-six,
the division being upon party line except
that Riddleberger voted in the negative with
the Democrats. In a few minutes he re-
newed the amendment, stating his under
standing that there was an agreement that
the Senate should go into executive session
to-day. The motion was lost: this time by
twenty six to twenty.seven. Riddlebsrger
again voting with the Democrats.
VANCE ON TARIFF.
The direct tax bill was then laid aside
and Mr.. Vance proceeded to address the
Senate on the resolution offered by Mr..
Brown proposing to abolish the internal
revenue. Taxation lines, he said, had been
drawn closely by the Presidents message
on the subject of surplus and taxation.
The contest had to be fought out squarely
and the question decided unequivocally on
it's merits. That question was should tax
alton be enforced for the support of the
Government or for the enrichment of pri-
vate individuals? He declared that the
central theory Of the tariff was an iniquity
and he was opposed to the whole thing out
and out. He should not vote to put any
thing on the free list, the tax on which was
pure revenue. He should strive earnestly
to reach taxation ON the necessa:ies of life,
AMI he should discriminate in nothing ex-
cept against luxuries and in favor of the
helpless and unprotected. The resolution
was laid aside and the Blair educational
bill was taken up and constitutional ar
gument made against it by Mr.. Gray. After
some little debate participated in by
Messrs. Gray and George, the bill went
over as unfinished business, and the Senate
adj djourned until Monday.
FORFEITED LANDS.
Senator Plumb to-day introduced bill
declaring forfeited lands, except ,ignt OF
way, granted to any State to aid in the
construction OF railroads opposite to and
coterminous with the uncompleted portion
OF any such railroad, for the benefit o!
which lands heretofore have been granted.
The forfeited lands are declared open to
settlement under the homestead laws
only.
BULLION CERTIFICATES.
Senator Stewart offered an amendment
to the bill providing for the contribution
OF certain funds in the Treasury. It pro-
vides that any person may deposit at any
mint or assay office gold or silver bullion,
and receive certificates therefor. The price |
to be paid for gold bullion is fixed at 81 |
|or 25 $40 grains and go fine, while the |
price for silver is to be fixed by the |
OF the Treasury on the 1st and |
18th OF each month, at an average
price of silver in the New York market during
The preceding fifteen days provided that |
The price shall not exceed in ounces of gold |
or sixteen ounces the same fneness. Certi-
icates are to be in denominations OF not
ess than two nor more than one thousand
jollars and are to be legal tender redeema-
Die at any treasury or sub-treasury. The
bullion received is to be melted into bars.
No more gold or silver certificates are to
'e issued and these coming into the treasury
to be eaneeed veS N Big s7ss EXPRESSLY
made payable in coin and to meet actusI
sants for silver currency among tn. people.
he silver coinage act is repeaed.
DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION.
Senator Sherman offered an amendment
the deficiency appropriation bill pro
ldlng that all claimants entitled to none,
nder the provisions OF the bill shall be a.
,wed 6 per cent interest from the time
hen the deficiency bill of last Congress
Iiled OF passage.