New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-13
MR.. HooPER's SPEECH.

Fron Our Special Correspondent
wAsHHGToN, Thursday Feb II, 1867.
Among the ornamental proceedings of Congress, is
ApOrtion of report from the Committee on Banking
and Currency, recommending n reduction of taxation
on those unhappy institutions styled National Banks
The sufferngs of these corporations undoubtedly APP
peal to the sympathies of that innocent majority who
have recently voted that in paper money lies our sal
walton. A body of gentlemen whose prOfoundest
convictions could only be fifty expressed by altering
tie Doxology, that in their more exalted state
hey might sing:
Praise Bqpks from whom all blessings flow
The report referred to was made the subject of
recent speech by Mr. Hooper of Massachusetts, who
certainly to be applauded for his patient endeayOr to
snIighten Congressional BGtia by elementary para
graphs. It's subsequent vote in favor of initiation
shows with what success Mr.. Hooper labOred. 1t is
one of the numberess blessings of a numerous lcgis
ative body in deciding State problems that opinions
go by number and not by weight. If an argument
cannot be answered it can at least be voted down
The old SlavemongeTs and compromises on the negro
question tried that plan and all know how admir-
ably il worked This going in rOttOn courses and
leaving things "to Providence" is like taking trip
OIL the Sound in an old Commodore steamer The
country is on its " Commodore of paper money
which the majority of the lower House insist on run
ming eaky and rotten as it is. The voice of expe-
rienced pilots like Nh, Hooper, gets entirely drowned
in the eager demand Of the crowd 10 maintain full
mead of steam and keep TO sea, with the barometer
falling, and certain rough weather ahead.
1t is to be hoped these expressions VIII not be
deemed too picturesque There is chronic juveniliy
In some minds that can only be awakened by pic
lures. venture TO think that wild cat" bankers
have a touch of it. We trust make this sugges-
tiOn with becoming Difference especially for the legal
and military minds embraced in that category who
Illustrate tfeir lives. and what is worse their opn
Ions on finance in Congress.
can fancynO answer that the noble twenty major
Ity of the House against the policy Ofreturnng tOspe
Gle payments make. except that Ofthe French Min
lister of Finance in regard to the Mexican bonds held
by his GOvernmentthat touching legacy of the late
Improbable invasion of our neighbOr Mr.. Fould
made the very specific declaration that those bonds
would remain in the portfolio of the Treasury, and
he made the subject of Interior determinations
which yeuld in the future be announced in a special
supplementary and rectificatiye budget" We sup
pose it would be precisely this that the wildcat"
lnfatonists of the House would propose in regard to
the disposition of our paper money system, if they
had spokesman able 10 command the verbal felici-
lies of Monsieur Fould. l suggest the form Of
speech TO them and trust they will appreciate the
generosity which tenders such luminous relief to
their wants.
But only rose 70 call attention to the tender bill
reported from the Banking Committee Of the House,
before referred TO- for the relief of the much injured
National banks. These suffering institutions are,
On some cases. we are credbly informed, declaring
twenty five per cent dividends annually, and put
ting by yearly nearly much more. The last thing
we should ever think Of doing would be TO call gem
tIemen by name. But / suggest that the inquiry |
might be properly set on foot TO discover how many
"wild cat" banking favorte in the House stock
holders in such banks as this. How many of
the immortal twenty majority who deprecate all |
movements toward resumption, and how many of |
such who will favor the bill to relieve these OPP |
pressed institutions from taxationi Mr. Hooper |
providing bis milk for the innocent babes whose |
votes he did not get the other day, mildly remarked
In his speech 50" believe much could be done to pre-
pare the way for resuming specie payments IL the |
banks would cO6peste.D And again "The banks
can do much ~ they have the inclination" But" |
he pathetically adds, but great obstacle TO
sumption IL the profit and the ease in managing
banks with an irTedeemable currency"
Ainiabe Mr.. Hooper, 50 it is. You never spoke |