The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, Jan. q.

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tition from citizens Of Texas, against
the confirmation to Office of nOn-resi-
deuts. Tabled at his request.
Wilson presented a petition from
members of the Georgia Constitution
al Convention. asking Congress to au-
thorize and establish provisional gov
ernments in the South. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Ramsey presented a petition with
the proceedings Of a meeting Of the
citizens of st. Anthony's Falls. re-
ferring to the rights of American
citizens abroad Referred.
Patterson, of New Hampshire, from
the Committee on retrenchment, re-
ported bill to amend the Tenure of
Office Act, and gave notice that he
would call it up at an early day.
Conness offered a resolution that,
WHEREAS, 1t was stated thatAmeri-
can citizens had been deprived of
liberty upon suspicion of conspiracy
to, and the commission OF, overt acts
of hostility against, the peace of the
British Government; and,
\ WHEREAS, The first duty of State
Is to protectits citizens against hostile
acts by foreign nations; therefore,
Res0lced, That the President be
directed to cause an investigation, and
if-such- persons are -oand to be guilty
of no such overt act then to demand
their Immediate release. and, If neees-
sary, to call out such portion of the
land and naval forces as may be neces-
sary to enforce such demand. Laid
on the table. % Il
Connessr gave notice that be would
call it up at an early day.
Wilson called up the bill to facili-
tate the payment of bounties to sol
diers, under the act of 1866, which.
after some discussion, was postponed
till tomorrow.
Stewart called up bill to remove the
disabilities under the reconstruction
act of Governor Potter, of Alabama.
He also read a reeommendatory letter
from General Pope. and claimed that
the Governor was one of those who
had manifested desire to maintain
the Government.
Buekalew argued that Congress
could not legislate upon every indi-
yIdual case brought before them.
The bill was postponed until to-
morrow.
Henderson introduced bill to fund
the, public debt and to amend the
banking laws of the United States,
which was referred to the Committee
on Finance. It provides that, for the
purpose of paying off the compound
interest notes, three per cent. eertif-
Gates and other outstanding indebted
ness, papable in lawful money. the
Secretary of the Treasury shall be
authorized to issue and pay out such
notes as were authorized by the Act
Of February 25th, 1862, provided the
whole amount shall not. at any time,
exceed four hundred millions Of dol
lars, including those already issued,
except in cases hereafter speci-
fed. The Secretary of the
Treasury is further authorized to
issue coupons or registered bonds. to
an amount sufficient to cover all ex-
isting obligations, which are to bear
interest at not more than three and
half per cent per annum, the prlncl-
pal and interest payable in coin, to
be due in fifty years, but redeemable
in ten years after date at the pleasure
of the Government. They are to be
exchanged at not less than par value
for any bond, certificate, note or
other evidence of indebtedness of the
United States, excepting legal tender
notes, which are not to be funded
until decided by Congress, and
the new bonds shall be exempt
from all taxation by State or local
authority. Section provides that a
limit of three hundred millions in
amount of circulating notes shall be
hoF L
NAV receive 80 per cent. on the value
Treasurer, in notes for circulation;
provided this does not exceed 20 per
cent. on its paid up capital. Existing
banks are required to substitute
bonds of new issue for those now de-
posted, to an equal amount, bearing
the same relation to circulation
and capital, as required by this
section in the case of new banks, un-
der penalty of forfeiting all bonds
aud the winding up of their affairs by
the Comptroller of currency; in which
case their notes are to be paid by a
sufficient amount of legal tender
notes, which may be issued in excess
of the $400, 100000 heretofore author
lied. But if the amount of United
States notes and National Bank notes
together shall all exceed seven hun
dred millions, the bonds deposited
by the banks may be devoted
to them on receipt by the Treasurer
of the amount Of their outstanding
notes in United States notes. The
fourth section provides the creation of
a sinking fund by the retention of
five sevenths of the interest accruing
on bonds deposited to secure the cir