The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-27
Northern Finances.

a System, of Taxation on the BanEs-Ercii-
ing Debate IN the Senate 1.-THE Var Logged
tn Sharp Political Controversy Northern
men Charged as Traitors. dc.
During the discussion in the q. S. Senate,
on the 18th, of the bill to provide the ways
and means for the support of the Government,
a warm political controversy sprung. up, and
came near leading to o scene in the Senate
chamber. The discussion assumed a wide
scope, and dragged into the controversy the
whole Subject Of the war, and the respective
positions Of some Of the most prominent men
Of the North Eek president Buchanan, Gene
raj Cass. Secretary Stanton, Judge Douglas
and Others We give sketch Of the debate:
The bill to. provide for ways and means to
support the Government being taken up, an
amendment was adopted making the interest
on notes authorized by the bill, and certif-
Gates hereafter issued, payablei in lawful mo,
ney, instead Of in coin; also an amendment
reducing the amount Of notes to be issued to
one hundred and fifty millions, instead of
three hundred millions, including the amount
issued BY the resolution of January II, 1868.
Mr.. Clark moved to amend the poposed tax
of two per cent. on the circulation pf the banks,
so as to make it one per cent. for two years
and two per cent. after that.
Mr.. Harris, (Republican,) of New York,
said he could vote for no such amendment,
as he deemed it a declaration of war against
the banks. It was a notice to them that they
must wind up their affairs in two years. The
banks had nobly supported the Government,
and he would not vote to destroy them.
Mr.. Clark said he offered the amendment to
relieve, not destroy, the banks. IF the scheme
passed Yesterday was to go into effect, that
circulation must take the place Of bank circu-
lation. He was ready, to sacrifice anything
save, the Government.
Mr.. Chandler, (fep.) of Michigan, said the
question was whether we should support the
Government or protect these State banks at
all hazards. He thought the Senator misap-
banks be worth if the Government went
down? They would be worth nothing This
question was far greater.than banks ,ti 1
f! Mr.. Richardson said that the Senator from
Michigan Mr.. Chandler] seemed to think
| that no man could be loyal who did not sup
port every measure of his. He believed that
there was no man in the country who stood in
| SO doubtful condition as that Senator Be-
| fore the war commenced he wrote a letter to
| the Governorsof Michigan that this country
i was NOT WOfttl q rush WITHOUT a little blood
| letting; and he stood before the COUNTRY as
having said, when Gen. Mcclellan was about
| to attack Richmond. that it would be better
that those thousands Of men should perish
than that the General should win q victory
| then.
Mr.. Chandler -Doess Che Senator make tina,
charge N
MI. Richardson-Issy it has been so stat
| ed. - .ass fsl5Il', Fl.
Mr.. Chandler-Well, sir, it is a. falseheod
whoever states it. There is not the leasi
foundation for such statement. {,
Mr.. Richardson The Senator isy late in
making denial .ftf a z
Mr.. Chandler said if he had spent his time
Ein denying all the newspaper lies about him,
| he would have had no time for other Duties
/ Mr.. Richardson said he accepted the denial
Of the Senator; hut he thought that the Sena.
tor was as much responsible as any one for
| the war. .,a
Mr.. Chandler said, as far as his LOYALTY AS
concerned, his record was bef0fe the country.
He was proud of it, and had nothing to take
back from any Of it. Two years ago there