Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
SEN ATE.


from the President, transmitting the pro.
ceedings of the International Monetary
Convention held in Paris. Referred to the
committee on Finance.
The House bill amending the supplement
tary Reconstruction acts was referred to
the Judiciary committee.
MIR. MORTON tried to call ND the bill to
prevent urther'retirement of currency.
MIR. SHERMAN moved to resume con-
'ideration of unfinished business, the Cot
ION Tax bill. :,
Mr.. CONKLING opposed the motion, on
che ground that it was unlikely there
would be quorum Tomorrow. as there
ought to he when the cotton bill was taken
up.
Mr.. MORTON was satisfied the. cotton
tax bill could not be passed before the re-
cess, while great anxiety prevailed for the
passage OF this important bill, which had
been passed by the House.
| The Clerk read, at the instance of Mr..
Sherman, letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury, stating that it was not his in
tention to retire or cancel any more Uni
ted States notes this month. nor will the
condition of the finances justify him
! in making the usual contraction
in January. While still entertain
| ing the opinion that an early
return to specie payment is indispensable
to national prosperity, it will be impossible.
without curtaiment of circulation. He
will not continue to exercise his power of
curtailment unless he has reason to suppose
that he will be sustained in doing so by
Congress, nor until Congress has deter
mined the future financial policy of Gov
ernment. There will therefore be no con-
traction during the present month or the
next.
Mr. MORTON said the Secretary of the
Treasury did not settle the financial policy
of the country, and the business of the
coming year depended so mucn upon the
settlement of this matter that he felt obliged
to press it.
Mr.. SHERMAN suggested that a bill
, covering the whole financial policy of the
Government could not be passed in one
day.
Mr.. MORTON had no reason to suppose
there would be any serious opposition to
the matter in the Senate. They could not
better occupy their time.
Mr.. HOWE introduced bill to grant
certain lands to the Northern Michigan
railroad and an extension of the Northern
Pacific Railroad Company. which was re-
ferred to the committee on Pacific railroad.
Mr.. MORTON said he desired to take the
sense of the Senate on taking up his bill,
but
Mr.. EDMUNDS moved to adjourn, which
was agreed to.
VT n
Mr.. BOYER asked leave to introduce a
concurrent resolution of thanks to Major
General 4ancork for patriotic exercise of
duty and for his timely vindication of the
| supremacy of civil law as guaranteed by
the Constitution.
Mr.. SPALDING objected and insisted on
the regular order of business.
The House resumed consideration of the
| bill reported yesterday by Mr.. Garfield i'm
reference to deserters.
MIR. BENJAMIN moved to amend the
second section by adding prOviso that it
should not be construed as relieving from
the penalties and disabilities of the 2lst
section of the act of 1S60, any person who
had deserted from the army and navy, and
went over to the enemy.
| Mr.. GARFIELD declared his cheerful
acceptance of the amendment.
After debate. the bill was recommitted
| Mr.. HOOPER, from the committee on
| Banking and Currency reported as a sub.
stitute for bill introduced by Mr.. Hunter
a bill enacting that all United States and
National Bank notes shall be SUBJ. .ct to tax
alton by or under State authorities in the
same manner as other monies are taxed
and at no higher rate. Referred to the
committee of the Whole Oh the State of the
| Union. .t-=
MIR. CULLOM, introduced bill to amend
| the law relative to Pensions, by making
them date from the day of discharge, Sc
Referred to committee on Invalid PEN
sions.
Mr.. PAINE offered resolution instruct
ing the committee on Ways and Means tc
report whether it is eXpedient to permit
any bonds in which the United States debt
may be funded, to be entailed for charitable
or educational purposes, under suitable
regulations as to interest, &c.
On motion of Mr.. PERHAM, the COM
mittee on Military Affairs was directed to
inquire into the eXpediency of allowing to
wounded soldiers and sailors the value o
artificial limbs or surgical appliances, tc
which their wounds would entitle them.
| The SPEAKER presented a communica-
| tion from the Governor of West Virginia
relative to the Agricultural College of thai
State. Referred to the committee on Ag
| riculture.
The House went into committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. May
nard in the Chair, and considered the def
cheney bill reported yesterday.
Mr.. LAWRENCE offered an amend
ment.
Mr.. BUTLER claimed the amendment
was not in order, and the Chair so ruled.
The committee rose and reported bacl
the bill without amel dment. The bill wa
then passed.
Mr.. STOKES introduced joint resoln
tion amending the act of July 4th, 1864
more effectually to secure the payment o
the claims of loyal persons for pIopert.
taken and used by the Federal forces dur
ing the late war. Referred to the commit
tee on Claims.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE gave notice that h
would Tomorrow introduce joint resO
luton of thanks to Major-General Han
cock.
Mr.. KERR offered a resolution instruct
ing the committee on Military Affairs t
inquire into the expectancy OF retaining
in the service the Veteran Reserve Corp
as now organized, and making the needfu
reduction IN the army to affect other part
of the service. Adopted.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, of Iniiana, fror
the select committee on the Payment U
Additional Bounties, presented a repor
which was ordered printed, and post
poned to the 9th of January.
Tie SPEAKER presented messag
from the President enclosing the report {
the Secretary of State in reference to tn