Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-01-10
CONGRESSIONAL :,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.

On motion of Mr., NORTON, the Senate
took up his resolution to instruct the Judi,
.iary committee to report a bill to abrogate
existing State Governments in the South
and provide Provisional Governments in
Mr. JFRELINGHUYSEN moved to
amend by referring the proposition to the
Judiciary committee, with authority to re-
port such a bill.
! Mr.: NORTON urged the necessity of
such legislation, in view of General Han
cocks course and other recent occurrences,
occupying the attention of the Senate un-
til the morning hour expired.
The special order, the bill to prevent
further contraction of currency, was takei
up. The question was on the amendment
that after the passage of this act, the au
thority of the Secretary of the Treasury
to cancel notes shall be suspended.
I'd Mr., SHERMAN advocated the bill, as it
would satisfy the public mind that no
further contraction would be made and
quiet the apprehensions of many that it
would restore to Congress power too impor-
tant to be delegated to any single officer of
the Government, and place the entire re-
question on Congress, where it properly
belongs. /
Mr.. MORRILL,, of Vermont, spoke of
the recent rise in gold as caused bv Con-
gressional legislation on the subject, and
contended that the passage of this resolu-
tion would have similar effect.
Mr.. CORBETT agreed with Mr.. Morrill,,
and moved to indefinitely postpone the
subject. Lost.
Mr.. FESSENDEN feared the effect Of
this bill. If it passed, it would practically
proclaim to the country that all designs OF
a return to specie payment was abandoned
The present disordered condition of finan-
cial affairs could only be remedied by time
and a firm adherence to a settled policy
looking to resumption of specie pay
ments.
Mr.. STEWART contended that the dis
turbed condition of the country was owing
in great measure, to the mismanagement
of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
spoke for some time ag inst his policy.
Mr.. SPRAGUE corrObOrated a previou;
statement as tn the amountof contraction,
and disclaimed all Intention of censurine
the Secretary for such contraction in ODE
dience to law.
Mr.. SHERMAN stated that $43, ,24474s
of compound interest notes will mature
during the next six months, and that wher
all the compound interest notes are -paiC
our currency will be reduced to abou
$3.50, 100000, not much greater than before
the war. Contraction should be stopped
English history shows that times have
arisen when contraction had to be sudden
ly exchanged for expansion. Such crisi:
might occur with us, and without at all re.
tiecting on the present Secretary OF the
Treasury, his discretionary powers should
be removed and the matter placed on firm
basis of legislation.
Mr.. HENDERSON followed in advocacy
of the bill.
Mr.. MORTON favored the bill on tn,
ground that more currency is required fol
the business of the country. He thought
1871 would be time enough to resume specie
payment. Gold and silver would then sim
ply add 60 the volume of currency. He wal
opposed to any further contraction befor,
Mr.. HOWE followed in a lengthy argu.
ment against contraction.
1t being evident no vote would be reach.
ed to-day, the Senate went into executive
session and soon after adjourned.
i HOUSE OF REPKESENTATIvE
Mr.. EGGLESTON offered resolution
reciting that by enactment ofFebruary II
1865, authorizing the construction of {
bridge at Louisville. over the Ohio river
it was specially provided that such bridge
should be located above the falls, should i
be constructed, with at least three draws
and should in no way interfere with tht
navigation of the river, and it was eur
rently reported thatthe bridge now beine
constructed there was in fragrant violation
of these provisions and almost serious
obstruction to navigation, and resolvin.
| that the Secretary of War be instructed t.
cause an examination of the facts by
corps of Government engineers. Referred
| to committee on Finance.
Mr.. WILSON, of Iowa, introduced a bill
for protection in certain cases of person
making disclosures as defe ndants or testi
flying as witnesses. Referred to. Judiciar
committee.
Mr.. ARNELL introduced bill to amen
the Bankruptcy act. Referred to Judicia
ry committee.
The House proceeded to the considera
ton of the joint resolution requesting tn
President to intercede with the Queen {
Great Britain for the release OF tathe
tMcMahon. ii.s ~ --!i ~ l. =
Mr.. PAINE introduced similar join
resolution in reference to Robert Lyncl
of Milwaukee.
Mr.. WOOD gave notice of his intentio
to introduce joint resolution requestin
the President to interp0se his official al
thority to effect the immediate release
[Col. John Warner and w. j. Nagle, an
any other American citizens arrested
Ireland, under the habeas corpus act, ar
now imprisoned without sufficient grount
to charge them with the commission of an
offense against the laws OF Great Britain.
! After remarks by Messrs. Wood, Shank
Brooks, Banks and Orth, the joint resoll
ton passed unanimously.
MIR. PAINE'S joint resolution in refel
ence to Robert Lynch, of Milwaukee all
passed unanimously. -----.---.-
Mr.. WOOD then introduced a joint res
luton, of which he had given notice,
reference to Colonel S. Warren and Nagl
I Mr.. BINGHAM suggested the omissit
of words. .interpose his official authority
and substitute the words s'that the Pres
dent be requested to intercede." &c.
Mr.. WOOD made the modification su.
tgested.
Banks, struck out the words 'under Il
lhabeas corpus act" As thus modified, Il
Joint resolution was passed unanimously.
l. The morning hour having expired,
Mr.. SCHENCK, from the committee o
WAYS and Means, reported joint rasolr
1tion to provide for commission of fl,
persons, to be appointed by the SecretaI
to examine all matters and mechanicalcoi
ltrivance or inventions that may be pr
sented intended to measure. test and asce
tain the productiveness OF grain or 9th,
aeticles prepared for distillation. or tt
actual quantity and strength of distilie
spirits, subject to tax, produced therefroI
Giving due notice of time, when and plat
where such examination is to be cOnduc
ed the commission, to meet and procee
to the performance of their duties und'
the instruction of the Secretary of th
Treasury at the earliest practicable da.
and report in detail to the Secretary, to
communicated to Congress, the results
the examination, with such recommend
tion as NAV be deemed eXpedient ON G
before the 10th of February next.
Pending the action of the commission
and until its report Is made and a metz
adopted by law, all work on the construe
tion of metres under the direction of til
Treasury Department shall be suspende,
and in the meantime no further contra
for metres shall be made by the Secretar