Semi-weekly independent., 1896-04-22
Lawmakers at Labor.


reducing the tax on retail dealers from
$40 to SD. The bill requires the manu-
facturers Of filled cheese to pay n tax Of
S4O0 annually. the wholesale dealers $3.50
and the retail dealers SD, and for failure
to pay such tax imposed upon manufac-
turerS fine of from S4O0 TO $1,000. upon
wholesale dealers from 500 IL 81. 900 and
upon retail dealers from $40 to $500. 1t
also requires the branding of filled
cheese and its sale only from original
packages.
The George" bill to establish 4 uniform
system of bankruptcy was reported TO the
Senate Monday from the Judiciary Com
mittee. The most important amendment
made by the committee was that provid-
ing that where any debtor who. being
a banker, broker. merchant. trader OF
manufacturer owing 5000 makes an as
slgnment or conveyance Of his property,
or gives any lien or incumbrance thereon,
contrived or devised with the actual in
| tent on his part TO defraud his creditors,
| such act shall be deemed bankruptcy. The
measure provides for voluntary bankrupt
| cy. At the same time Mr. Mitchell, of
| Oregon, submitted the views of the mi
nority Of the committee in the shape of
| the measure agreed on 10y the House Com
| mittee on judiciary with some modifica-
| tions. The latter provides for voluntary
| and involuntary bankruptcy. The propo-
| sitiOn TO secure the passage Of bib pro-
viding for an additional United States
| district judge in the northern district of
| Illinois comes too late TO accomplish any
thing during the present session. pro-
nounced sentiment exists in the House
against creating any new judsesLps.
| The house Tuesday passed without
| amendment the fortfcation appropriation
bill carrying appropriations and authori-
cations involving an expenditure OF SILL
3S4.G13. The appropriations for FORTH
cations since the Endicott commission in
1856 reported its pan for the defense OF
! twenty-seven seapOrts. at an approximate
cost of S1OO.OO0000 have averaged some
thing over S2.O00.OOO annually. 1t was
made apparent after lively coiloquy ir
the Senate that there was no disposition
among the silver and Populist Senators
TO allow the resolution for n Senate IN
| Quiry into recent bond issues 10 lapse.
| Mr. Squire Rep., Wash.) made an elab-
crate presentation OF the pressing need
OF coast defenses. pointing ont the de-
| fenseess condition of our great sea-coast
| harbors
In the House "Wednesday Mr.. Hull,
chairman Of the Committee on Military
Affairs called up the resolution for the re-
appointment Of William Z. Franklin, Of
| Connecticut. Thomas j. Henderson of Hi
| nos. George l.. Beale of Maine and Geo.
| w. Steele Of Indiana as members of the
| Board of Managers Of the national sol
| diers' homes. Mr.. Blue made a scnsa-
] tional speech against Gen. Franklin,
charging him and Col Smith (for whom
he said Gen. Franklin was responsibility
| with cruel and brutal treatment Of the in
mates of the home at Lcavenworth. Kan.
| He moved to substitute the name Of Gen
| O. q. Howard for that Of Gen. Franklin.
| Mr. Blue said his purpose was 10 free the
| LeavcnwOrth home from the drunken and
| brutal man now at lis head. Mr.. Blue
read telegram from l.. J. Anderson and
| others urging him tG fight Gen. Franklin's
| reappOintmcnt and telling him that co.
600 soldiers in Kansas were behind him.
| He claimed that Gov. Smith maintained
| the biggest saloon in Kansas under the
shadow of the flag the soldiers fought to
| save. Last year. he said. the profits OF
the beer hall alone were $4,000. Mr..
| Blue also read an affidavit charging that
II contract existing whereby the Keeley
cure was given TO inmates for Sc. while
outsiders were charged $50. Has not the
board made an investigation of GOV.
Smiths administration asked Mr.. Hull.
] ANY investigation made by the Board OF
| Managers" replied Mr.. Blue. lis Il roar
| ing farce" With the understanding that
| a vote should be had Thursday. the House
| adjourned The Senate ratified the Ber-
| ing sea arbitration treaty. The treaty
| provides for n commission to arbitrate
| the claims made by citizens of England
| against the United States for seizures of
vessels engaged in the capture OF fur seals
prior to the Paris award.
Mr. Blues fight against the reappoint-
ment of Gen. William Il. Franklin as a
member of the Board of Managers of the
| National Home tor Disabled Volunteers,
which was the feature of the proceedings
In the House Wednesday. terminated un-
successfully Thursday. when his amend
ment to substitute the name of Gen O. o.
Howard for that of Gen. Franklin was
rejected 149 to 81. Several minor bills
were passed. The speaker announced the
appointment of Mr.. Cobb Dem.). of Ala
bama, on the Ways and Means Commit
tee in place of Mr.. Tarsncy. who was un-
seated: Mr.. Aldrich RepD. of Illinois, on
Banking and Currency, and Mr.. Van
Horn Rep0. of Missouri. on Labor De
bate of the resolution for an investigation
of recent bond issues consumed the time
of the Senate.
The Senate continued debate OF tha
bond bill Friday, and incidentally Mr..
Allen called Mr.. Gear a liar. He was
compelled TO subsde. and his words were
"taken down" The net result of five
hours work on the private calendar in
the House was the passage OF four PEN
sion bills, one to pension the widow of
Rear Admiral Footc nj $50 Il month: the
rejection of n bill To retire n hospital
steward Il second lieutenant Of cavalry
and the passage of a war claim less than
5000. The latter was the first war claim
brought before the House for consider
alton and naturally provoked a general
debate on the policy of paying war claims.
The Land of the Bocrs,
Gold was discovered there in 1886
Country has been enjoying its indie