The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-17

House OF Represem OF the OAs-
trict OF Columbia-Thc Civil and Diploma
tic Appropriation BilI-Retrenchment and
Reform-CIerks and Messengers.
In the House of Representatives to-day bill has
been carried to its third reading and passed,o post
pone for one year, from the first of March next,
provision in the Charter of the Banks of the District
OF Columbia, prohibiting the reissue of the notes Of
non specie paying banks. Mr.. UNDERWOOD d, who
had charge of the BILL urged this when the ehA-'---
were granted at the ex'ra-ssss".. twas supposed
that the Banks of Yir.:aia and MARYLAND would re.
sumo specie payments by the first of March, but
now no such expectation existed, and it would be
calamitous to persist in the provision, inasmuch as
twould compel the Banks Of the District to exact
pay men from their debtors, of claims estimated at
two millions OF dollars in specie fund.-, while they
were willing to take the notes of the two adjoining
states. with whose interests the interest of The Dis
trict commingle, if Congress would only give
the banks authority to re- issue them TO such
persons as were willing to take them. The House
aSsened by majority of 81 to 49, and II Is probable
that Virginia paper may still remain the legalIzed
circulation of the District and resume its value, from
which, by an unaccountable panic, it has recently
been deprecated From six percent depreciation
but week ago. it fell to upwards of fifteen, with
out any accurate means of ascertaining Its value
With what truth does not appear, but the ssuers OF
a spurious currency, redeemable in Virginia paper,
were accused OF creating the panic for the purpose
of purchasing, at depreciation, the means to re-
deem their own " shin plasters." Confidence, how.
ever being restored, and the brokers are willing
to take the Virginia paper at depreciation of nine
per cent, and it is not unlikely that the bill which
the House has passed, may still further reduce
the rate.
The House has recommitted the civil ard and d.
plomatic appropriation bill, with instructions to
strike out every item Of appropriation which was
not authorised by law. Notwithstanding an exist
ing rule, which provides that no appropriation
shall be made by an appropriation bill but for
objects which previous enactments have made
imperative, from year to year clerks and mes
sengers and other officers have been increased in
numbers without the authority of specific enact
ment, and of the annual appropriation bill has made
provision for their remuneration. The Comm iltee
OF Ways and Means at the present session, with
some qualms Of conscience as to the propriety of
the CUSTOM struck from the bill some such appropri-
atoms, leaving others to which the same objection
applied, and the motion to recommit has been made
to secure the uniform enforcement of the principle,
OF which the sense Of the House may be ascertaned
by the vote, the recommitment being carried by Ia
10 u The extra clerkr, for whom provision is
refused by this appropriation bill, may possibly be
dsbanded The select committee on retrenchment
in the expenditures ofthe House have made report
on this subject, discussion of which occupied the
morning hour without leading to any practical
result. There was no other than routine business
and that not possessing any public interest.