Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings I'm tho senate.

l
WAsHISGToN, Dec. 16.-Mr. Sherman
from the Finance Committee, reported
back House bill fixing duties on copper
and also the following resolution which,
on his motion, was laid on the table to be
called up at an early day: f.sas
/ Resolved by the Senate, That neither
Ipublic policy or the good faith of the nation
will allow the redemption of $40 bonds
until il shall perform its primary duty OF
paying lis notes in coin or making them
equivalent thereto, and measures should be
adopted 10 secure the resumption of specie
payment st as early period as practicable.
| Mr.. Sherman also reported back from
the same committee without amendment
the Joint resolution introduced by Mr.. Ed
moods in November, 1867, which reads IS
/ follows; 900 ael t9al f
Joint resolution pledging the faith of the
| United States 20 the payment Of the public
| debt in coin or its equivalent.
1 Wnsneas The public debt was, except
where specially Otherwise ordered, con-
tracted upon the faith and credit of the
United States that the same would be paid
or redeemed in coin or lis equivalent and,
whereas, doubts have been raised as TO the
duty and proprieiy Of discharging such
debt 10 coin or its equivalent therefore,
in cases wherein the Law authorizes the
same, or provision was expressly made, il
is ewing ia coin or its equivalent, and the
faith Of the United States is hereby
solemnIy pledged 10 lie paymeat ac-
cordingly.
Mr.. Williams offered resolution in.
struciing the Judiciary Committee 10 in
quire into the praciicabiliiy and expe-
diency Of some immediate legislation TO
prevent the discharge of persons convicted
Of crime BY the extraordinary decisions of
DE District Judge of Virginia. Alter
discussion, the word extraordinary was
stricken out, as perhaps rejecting on Judge
Underwood. The resolution was then
adopted. al s74
Mr.. Morton 0hzsed resolution direct
ing the Secretary Of the Senate TO pay Sen
ators from North Carolina, South Caro-
liza, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Lou
isiahs, the legal compensation Of Senators.
Mr.. Ferry objected.
Mr.. Corbett offered resolution request
ing the Secretary Of the Treasury to inform
the Senate of the total cost of issue of
fractional currency up to this time.
Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Ferry the resolutions
offered by Mr.. Morton in regard 10 pay Of
Southern Senators, was referred TO the
Judiciary COMMITTEE ~ 81
On motion of Mr.. Sherman The consider
alton of bis raiirosd bill was postponed
until after recess of the Senate.
Ga motion of Mr. Morton the Senate
took up his bill for resumption Of specie
payment on which he spoke at length.
Proceedings I'm the House.
MIR. Elliott introduced bill prohibiting
the carrisge as freight in passenger vessels
Of nitro-gi yeerine, petroleum, or other ex-
plOsiVe substances. Referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce.
Mr.. Paine also presented bill to repeal |
the sixth section Of the army appropria |
ton bill of March 2, 1867, which prohibits
the organization and maintenance of mi |
piled TO North Carolina, South Caro- |
lima, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.
Mr.. Eldridge inquired why Georgia was
left out
Mr. Paine replied he was not sure he |
should be in favor Of admitting Georgia, |
but there was an inquiry going on before
Congress as TO the condition of that State, |
which made it questionable whether the
bill should be extended to it now.
The bill passed. .......
Mr.. Schenck, from the Committee on
Ways and Means, reported bill TO amend |
The 18th section of the Internal Revenue
bill Of July 20, 1868, by extending the
time fixed therein from January l, 1868, 10
Feb. Is, 1859, so that the section will pro-
vide that zffer Feb. Is, 1869, all smoking
and fine cut chewing tobacco or snuff shall
be deemed as having been manufactured
after the passage of the bill. Passed.
Mr.. Davis, from the Committee on Elec- |
tiODs, reported. adding the Registers in
Bankruptcy to the officers designated by |
law for taking testimony in contested cleo
ton cases. Passed.
Mr. Paine offered resolution instructiDg |
the Committee on Banking to inquire into
the propriety of reporting bill prohibit
ing, under severe penalties, any National
Bank from certifying a check, unless the
maker has on deposit the funds necessary
TO meet it. Adopted.