Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-01-28
WASHINGTON.
WORK OF THE 5oTH CONGRESS
A Few Ofthe Bills Which were Introduc-
ed in the Senate and House.
Mr.. FARwELL's BILL.
MR.. FARwELL's BILL.

The bill introduced in the Senate by
Mr. Farwell authorizing the Secretary of
the Treasury to apply the surplus to the
purchase of United States bonds and to
perpctuate the national banking system
by providing further securities, author
ICES the Secretary to issue to banks IN
such amounts as he may deem proper
three per cent. bonds to run fifty years
and to take them in exchange for bonds
now held by banks paying the premium
fixed by the New York market and in
! creasing the circulation Of the banks to
the par value of the bonds deposited. 1t
further authorizes and directs the Secro-
tary of the Treasury to apply the surplus
at his discretion to the purchase and can
collation. of bonds offered in open mark
et
ACTIONS OF THE SHIPPING LEAGUE.
The American Shipping League Con
vention held a short session and re-elect-
ed General Joseph Wheeler, of Alabama,
President, and Charles S. Hill, of Wash
ington, Secretary. A long list of vice-pres
idents was also elected The convention
took recess at noon, and at 80 p. m.
the delegates called in body at the Ex
ecutivc Mansion and paid their respects
to the President. At the afternoon
session the committee on resolutions
made a report recommending the passage
of bill allowing 80 cents per ton to
American built vessels for each 1000
miles travelled, also a resolution in favor
of holding in this city Constitutional
Centennial celebration in 1889, and a
Worlds Exposition in 1890. The con-
vention then adjourned.
TNE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS.
The committee on Appropriations have
ready the regular annual pension bill for
report to the House The bill appropri
ates $50, 275, so as follows For the pay
ment of pensions, $40, 200, 900; for fees
and expenses of examining surgeons,
81 900, 600; for salaries of agents, $72,
0OC; clerk hire. $4,000; rents, 100000;
fuel, $3.50; lights, $3.50; stationary and
incidentals. $12, 900. The estimates orig
inalIy made aggregated $40, 400. A
subseqcnt letter from the Commissioner
of Pensions brought the sum up to the
amount of the bill.
SENATOR BUTLER's RAILROAD BILL.
An amendment TO Inter State COM
mercc law introduced in the Senate by
Senator Butler provides that no railroad
shall charge any passenger more than two
cents per mile for distance greater than
200 miles, nor more than three cents per
mile for less distance. 1t also provides
that no common carrier, subject to the
provisions Act shall permit any employ
ee engaged in the transportation of pas
sengers to continue to work for more
than twelve hours cOnsecutively.
NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKS.
A delegation composed Of prominent
citizens of North Carolina, appointed by
the Democratic State executive commit
tee, met the Democratic members OF the
House committee on ways and means in
the committee room and urged the entire
rcpcal of the internal revenue laws
or at least the tax on tobacco and fruit
brandies. The delegation was accompa-
MED by Senators Vance and Ransom and
all the Democratic members Of the House
from North Carolina.
OPEN FOR BIDS.
The Postoffice Department has con-
cluded the opening of bids for Star Route
service in North Carolina, South Caroli-
na, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi and Florida. The to-
tai number of bids was over 50, 900
against rs, 900 in 1887. The awards will
be made in March.
PROMOTION OF CHIEF OF SECRET SERVICE.
The resignation of Mr.. J. J. Brooks.
chief of the secret service, has been ac-
cepted, to take effect February Is. 1888.
/ John S. Bell of Newark, n. j.. now in
secret service, will be promoted to sue
ceed Mr. Brooks.