Thursday, October 6, 2011

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 28.

SENATE. – Mr. TenEyck presented a petition for citizens of New York against further traffic and monopoly in the public lands.

Mr. Wright presented a petition for citizens of Indiana in relation to the proposed tax on spirits.

Mr. King from the committee on pensions, reported a bill to prevent the allowance of pensions to the widows and orphans of revolutionary soldiers unless the claims were established.  Passed.

Mr. Morrill presented a resolution from the Legislature of Main in relation to the reciprocity treaty.  Referred.

Mr. Harris presented a petition that the New York Caucassian and other newspapers be allowed privileges in the mails as the abolition newspapers.

Mr. Wright introduced a bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia..

Mr. Grimes moved to take up the resolution in regard to Brig. Generals.  The resolution declares that no more Brigadier Generals shall be appointed unless for gallantry in action.  Mr. Grimes said there were already one hundred and eighty Brigadier Generals appointed in the regular army.

After debate the resolution was disagreed to.

On motion of Mr. King, the bill remitting duties on arms ordered by States prior to July 1st, 1862 was taken up.

The naval appropriation bill was taken up, the question being on the amendment of the completion of the Steven’s battery.

Mr. Fessenden offered a proviso, that no part of the appropriation be paid until said battery shall be completed according to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Navy is full and adequate for the purpose of its construction.

Mr. Thompson spoke in favor of the amendment.  He contended that Mr. Stevens had done all he could in accordance with his contract.  He had been obliged to change his plan by the increased efficiency of naval warfare.  Great injustice had been done him by the commissioners.  If this battery would be completed it would be the most powerful naval armament in the world.


WASHINGTON, March 28.

HOUSE. – Mr. Sedgwick, from committee on naval affairs, declared it fit and proper that public acknowledgement should be made to John Ericsson, for the enterprise, skill, energy and tact displayed by him in constructing the iron-clad Monitor, which under gallant and able management came so opportunely to the relief of our fleet in Hampton Roads, and defended it against the vessels of the navy, seemingly irresistible to any other power at our command, and that the thanks of Congress be presented to him for the great service thus rendered to the country.  The resolution was adopted.

An amendment proposing a tax on cotton of one cent per pound after the 1st of May, was rejected.

An amendment was adopted exempting from duty red oil.  Also paraffin, whale and fish oils.  The tax on burning fluid was stricken out.

An amendment was adopted that when the manufacturer of illuminating gas shall not manufacture above 500,000 cubic feet per month, he shall pay a tax of 5 cents per each thousand cubic feet, when he manufactures above 500,000 cubic feet he shall pay a tax of 10 cents on each 1,000 cubic feet, when he manufactures above this, and not exceeding 15 million cubic feet, he shall pay 15c for each 1,000 cubic feet, and that when he manufactures over 15 millions cubic feet, he shall pay a tax of 20c for each 1,000 cubic feet. – Gas Companies are authorized to add the duty on tax to their charges.

Mr. Washburn inquired of the chairman of the committee on invalid pensions whether any action had been taken towards the passage of a tax providing for pensions on account of decease officers and soldiers of the present war.

Mr. Edwards replied that a bill for that purpose has already been reported.

The House then resumed the consideration of the tax bill.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

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