The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-14
THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS,
SENATE.


Thursday, Feb. 49,
A communication was received from the I'm
ION Defence Committee urging the passage of
the legal tender bill
The Dill was reported back from the District
Committee, to appoint Warden to the Jail.
MIR. Davis presented d series of resolutions on
the Constitution, declaring it a duty to suppress
the rebellion speedily to carry sword in one
hand and the olive branch in the other, and to
restore the States as they were before the war
Mr.. Foster gave notice that he should intro
duce bill for the cultivation of cotton on lands
in possession of the Government.
The bill fixing the number of Representatives
in the House at 239 was taken up.
A message was here received from the House
with the civil appropriation bill, with disa-
greement of the Senate amendments, and COM
mittee OF conference was appointed.
MIR. Turnbull opposed altering the number of
Representatives in the House.
After discussion the bill was postponed till
tomorrow.
The Treasury Note bill was taken up. The
question being on Mr.. Fessenden's amendment,
making the bonds redeemable after five years,
and payable in twenty years at the pleasure Of
the government. This was Withdrawn.
Mr.. Collamer moved to strike out that por-
ton making the notes u legal tender.
Mr.. Wilson opposed the amendment and said
if it was adopted he would voteagalnst the bill,
and said if we do not make the notes a legal
tender every curbstone broker will be deprecat-
ing the notes, and the soldiers and sailors will
be compelled to submit to a shave.
Mr.. Wilson of Mass, said he had a letter
from nine merchants of Boston, representing
$40 900, 900, tavoring the legal tender clause.
and who assert that they don't know a mer-
chant in the city of Boston who does not favor
it.
Mr. Collamer of VT, modified his amend
ment SO as to strike out all portions of the bill
which make the notes legal tender for debts
of the United States, or any kind CT debts in
Guiding the amendment of the Committee pro-
viding that the interest be paid in coin.
Mir. Sherman of Ohio, believed it was ncces-
sary to make those notes legal tender, and
should vote for it, as a temporary necessity to
carry on the war.
Mr.. Bayard of Delaware, urged that the mea-
sure was unconstitu tional and inexpedient.
Messrs. Howard, Wiley, McDougal and
Sumner continued the debate. The question
was taken to strike out the legal tender clause ;
lost--yeas II, nays %.
MI Simmons of Il. l., offered an amendment
to allow the notes to be funded in two years, the
bonds bearing per cent interest adopted.
The BILL as reported to the Senate, with the
amendments made in the Committee to the first
section, was agreed to except Mr. Simmons
amendment to allow the notes to be funded in s
per cent, which was altered to be and $40
bonds, and adopted.
Messrs. Pearcc, Salisbury and Powell spoke
against the bill as unconstitutional. The bill
as amended then passe@, yeas 80, nays 7.
Adjourned.
The Joint resolution authorizing payment to
the Hannibal, St. Joseph and Pacific Railroad
Tor the transportation of troops was taken up.
"A fter three hours debate the resolution passed
in an amended form, the companies to be COM
pensated according to the schedule of the Secre-
tary of War.
5000 copies of the bank report bill were or
dered to be printed.
The House resumed the consideration OF the
naval appropriation bill. The clause appropri-
ating 81 500 900 for charter vessels, NC, was
| read.
| Mr. Holman of Kentucky offered an amend.
ment that the officers OF the navy be requested
to purchase vessels; rejected.
Without concluding the House adjourned.