Year: 1870

THE BUSINESS OF TIRE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF


IMPORTANT MEASURES NOW PENDING-NEW


LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED.


WASHINGTON, Dec 6.-The important legis-
ation now pending before Congress, or likely TO be
brought up action during the session. may be classified
follows:


Measures for the restoration Of American commerce.


H. further reduction Of Internal Revenue Taxation.


III. Attempts TO make changes in the Tariff laws.


~ Some legislation to secure a resumption of specie
payments within the next year.


V. A General Amnesty bill.


VI great number of projectsfor subsid1inG Western
railroads with grants Of public lands, including the I'M
portant Southern Pacific Railroad bill.


There must also be mentioned subecs for debate,
n not for action the San Domingo Purchase the Adolf
ton OF the Franking Privilege, Civil Service REFORM the
Canadian Fishery Question. the Georgia Senatorial ues


on proposed increase OF the Navy, and mas OF uh
finished work OF last session in tho way OF claims ana
other legislation OF minor Interest," and all this If, OF
course In addition TO the regular annual Appropriation
bla the discussion and passage of which s imperative


The most important under the first heading 10
the bill admit foregnbuit vessels 70 American regis
try when owned by American citizens which was miro
duced into both Houses In pursuance OF the recomnen
daton In the special sent In by the Presldent
In the closing hours Of the last session. In s present
shape the operations of the bill limited to six months





once in either House. It's supporters say that the
measure stronger than 1t was last session, and
that they could carried through the House
by majority Of 80 had they had days more time IL
will be strongly opposed by Judge Kelley and others as
an attack upOu the vital principle Of protection The
numerous steamship subsidy bills do not appear to have


very brilliant prospect They will be skillfuy lObbied,
however, and II their managers combine and consolidate,
instead OF lighting each other they did last GUNNER,
some OF the more deserving may succeed


Another modification OF the Internal Revenue laws, for
the purpose Of further reducing the income OF the Gov
ernment is understood 10 be favored by Gen. schenck
and other members OF the Ways and Means Committee.
The General does not intimate what changes he intends
propose, but says 1t is too early to 90 into details
before his Committee have met and compared views


There will certainly great deal of Tariff agitation
this winter but it Ia not likely TO result In any new
legislation. We shall only have skrInish Of words
preceding actual battle, which promises to be the
great event of the XLId Congress The "Reyenue Re
formers" knowing they win he stronger IN the next Con-
gess than in ths will probably content themselves with
speechmakng and plotting 10 control the organization
Of the next House.


There good ground hope for the adoption Of egs
laon TO enable the and the banks TO take
the short remaining step necessary TO reach resump-
ton Of specie payments The feeling general among
the IN Congress that resumption easily be
accomplished within year, and that It should be done
before the opening of the next Presidential campaign as
the crowning good work Of the Republican party. A
conference this subject Of the leading members Of the
Finance Committees OF both Houses Ia already talked Of


The prospects OF the passage Of General Amnesty
bill are better han ever before Many members who.
fix months ago. in favor Of continuing disqualified
tions indefinitely, now frankly say that they have
changed their vewe and believe that the time has come
give the finishing stroke 70 the work Of reconstruct0n
thus settling the whole matter. 30 that 1t will play no
part in the politics OF the fnture the present Con-


that aatio ~
the next.


The strong ground taken by both parties, during the
recent canvass opposition to further grants Of land for
the benefit Of corporations has produced such marked
effect upon the mind Of Congress that the prospects OF
the numerous railroad bills which slipped easily
through the Senate last session exceedingly black.
about dozen the Speakers table and twice
as many more In the Committee Public Lands The
Committee is favorable 10 most Of them providing the
clause be added which they have devised, obgng the
roads 20 cell the land TO actual settlers at average
price OF 81 so acre but the House Is less faioraby
disposed than the Committee. No railroad land grant
bill appears have any chance with the single excep
ton OF the Southern Pacific which has strong backing
from who oppose all other grants, and support this
solely Of the important national character Of the
enterprise.


As to the San Domingo purchase II yet unsafe TO
predict the result Of reconsideration OF the treaty.
There will be talk and action about the Frank
ing Privilege. No Civil Service bill will be passed al
though several members who lost their nominations last
FALL solely account OF dissatisfaction with their dis
tribution OF Federal patronage ready TO change
front the question: convinced by sad experience Of
their folly. The Fishery Question Is for resolutions
and speechmakng, and, finally, for Executive rather
than Congress action. The question Of building
ironclsds TO treDghen navy and Of properly
ing forts many OF which reported by the Chief
Of Ordnance to be defenseess for want OF heavy guns
will come up in connection with the Appropriation bills


Altogether, may look for interesting but not
exciting, session. considerable number Of members
go back TO private life the th Of March and naturally
take less interest in public affairs their terms OF Office
draw 10 Close This faot together with the general lu
in politics will make quiet session. devoted 10 finishing
tho uncompleted work Of Last session, more than TO
ori ginating new measures