Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-27
F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings
FRIDAY, March q.


Mr.. Chandler called up the bill 10 regulat
the forelgn and coastng trade on the northern.
norfneastern, and north western frontiers of the
nlIeo Statesi which was read and then laid
over at the request of Mr.. Fessenden
Mr.. Ross offered a resolution 20 print 5.OOl
extra copies OF report Of j. Boss Brow ne on the
Mineral resources of the Territories. Referred
to Committee on Printing.
Mr.. Cattell moved to take up the bill supple-
mentary 10 the act 70 proyid a National Cur
rency secured by a pledge of United States
bonds: which was agreed to.
1T prohibits any National bank from paying
any interest on the deposits of any other Ma
uonal Bank, and prohibits any officer or ar .nt
OF the Government from recei wing any con-
sloeranon Tor deposites of public monies, and
prescribes penalties for violation Of the proyi-
sions.l
Mr Cattell then took the floor in advocacy of
the present national banking system, and said
the present bill would remedy one of its great
est defects. II was intended TO break mn the
pernicious practice Of one set of banks paying
interest on the deposits and balances of anoth-
er set. IL was not legitimate banking but was
speculation. The country banks have now
seventy millions of their capital withdra wn
from the communities in which they are To-
located and placed in the redemption cities for
the purpose of obtaining interest This sys.
tenn impoverishes the localities from which iha
money is drawn. This bill has the approval
OF the Comptroller Of The Currency The
Chancellor Of the Excheo uer of England pro
nounces this practice of the city banks paving
interest on the balances Of the country banks as
one liable to great abuse. The passage of this
bill would result in great profit to the mercan-
ule class Of the community: it would remedy
the defects and make the national banking sys-
tenn more popular.
as described by the Senator from New Jersey
(fdr. Cattelll but he did not so understand n
1t looked TO him as if ii was stIll further in
tended to hoist up the city banks at the ex-
pense Of the country banks. He had an expe-
rience of some twenty -eight years In the man.
agement OF country banks, and he did not see
how they were to get along If they were not
allowed TO receive interest on their deposits.
Ii the bill was passed, he thought II would
place the country banks completely at the
mercy Of the city banks, who would get their
funds there without paying anything for them.
For part of the year the country ban ks
had no use for their balances among their
own people, and sent them to the CITY
As TO speculation. the city banks engaged more
in that than the country banks. They loaned
money not only by the week. but the day and
even by the hour. If this bill was TO pass he
should move an amendment that none of the
hanks named in said cities shall be allowed to
lean any money TO brokers or other persons en-.
gagged in stock speculations There was no
doubt that this bill was gotten up m the inter-
est Of the city banks.
Mr.. Morrill, Mel then moved To postnone
the further consideration of the bill and 10 "a ke
up the Naval Appropriation bill.
MT Sumner thought IL would be hetrer
economy to take up the bill relative TO the Pa
cif1c Railroad, the Senator from Iowa 5Mr
Harlan) having been interrupted i'm his speech
on it the other day.
After considerable discussion the motion was
agreed to.
The naval appropriation bill was then read
through.
The Committee on Appropriations reported
The following amendment: Striking out the
provlso that all balances of unex pended appro-
priations In the hands of the Secretary OF the
Navy, or from sales of public property on
July l, 1865, shall be covered into the Treasury:
which was adopted. Striking out he proyiso
that the civil engineer and naval storekePper
at the several navy-yards, the superiptendants
of the mechanical departments heretofore
known as master mechanics. master carpen-
ters, &e-. shall be appointed by the Pres iden l.
by and with the advice and consent of the Sen :
ate, and shall be men skilled in their several
duties, and appointed from civil life and shall
not be appointed from the officers OF the nayy'
MI morrill,, of Maine, said the committee
had considered that this proyIso would NOT
subserye the public interests, and had there
fore reported to strike il out
Mr.. Sumner called for the ayes and noas ON
the amendment.
Mr.. Wilson said there had been a great deal
OF complaint the last two years TO the man.
ner in which the appointments in the navy
yards had been made, many of the appointees
not being capable of filling the Offices If il
was objected to these small Offices coming be-
lore the Senate, he was willing to strike that
out, and provide that they should be appointed
by the President.
Mr.. Fessenden said this was nothing more
than legislation in the interest Cf a few politi-
clans who wanted to get these positions There
Were many carpenters and other mechanics in
the navy who were not needed at sea now in
consequence OF the reduction of the navy and
the effect of this showed us that these men
would nave nothing TO do, and civilians would
be appointed and both would receive their paw.
All this hue and cry was gotten up by those
who were personally interested.
HOUSE OF RKPREsENrArIvgs.-Th Sna.t.,
announced the first business in order was the
call of committees for reports of a private ma |.
ture, commencing with the Committee on the
District of Columbia.
M. Burr (lnl made a suggestion that AS a
plumber OF gentlemen desired to discuss the
Alabama bill, that the morning hour to-day be
waived.
District of Columbia Committee, declined TO
yield for that purpose.
Mr.. Welker then reported a resolution for the
bill in relation TO the property of married wo-
men in the District of Col umbia. TThe bill pro-
vldes that any estate belonging to a woman in
the District of Columbia, or any equitable right
IN real property, which may be vested IN her
at the time OF her marriage, shall remain her
separate property and under her control. and
may be improved by herself, and be leased by
her for term lot otexceeding three years During
the life OF said married woman or the life OF
any heir of her body to the property of such
married woman shall not be taken for the debts
OF said husbandi but during coverture she can
not convey real estate unless her husband ioi as
with her. The property of the wife shall be
liable, however, for any obligations contracted
jointly by the husband and WIFE Any mar
ried woman whose husband shall desert her
or who shall fail to provide for herself and her
children, may contract for her own labor and
that Of her minor children, and may collect am
such wages, &c, for her own and her chill
dren's support
Mr.. Maynard (Tenn.) made the point of order
that this was not private bill, and the Spea ker
sustained the point of order, and the bill was
accordingly recommitted.
Mr.. lngersoll, (Ill.,) from the Committee on
the District Of Columbia, reported adversely
upon the bill TO repeal section three Of the act
OF July %, 1856, amencatory Of the act estab
fishing Metropolitan Police force ard the
same was laid on the table.
MT. lngersoll also reported adversely upon
the bill to survey one or more railroad routes.
and the same was laid upon the table
MT. lngersell reported favorably upon the
bill in relation to the pay of grand and natfi,
jurors in the District Of COLUMBIA vvitb an
amendment and IL was considered ana nassad
fThe amended bill fixes the pay of Jurors ar "a
tor each day service, instead OF S5 As nrovidsS
In the original bill.
Mr.. 1ngersoll then reported the Hill I'm r.,,-
ton to weights in the District Of COLUMBIA. but
1t was Withdrawn upon q point of order that IL
was public bill.
Mr.. 1neersoll then reported favorably upou
me biil IN relation to marriages in the District
Mr, Maynard made the point OF order that
this also was a public bill. T|
Mr. 1ngersoll.-Why, certainly thought
that everything relating to marriage ought to
Mr. Mullins Tenn suggested that whether
very private matters- Renewed laughter
The CrQn ker suatainesd Mr x,ciu,