Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-02-07
LATEST TELEGRAMS.
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Senate.


CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Senate.
. WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The chair laid
before the Senate a memorial from the
Arkansas Convention, setting forth as
State officers the enemies of the govern
ment who will persecuie loyalists.
The convention asked TO be authorized
to appoint new officers. Referred to the
judiciary Committee.
The Committee on Finance reported a
substitute for Mr.. Sherman's bill, intro
dueed Dec. II, providing as follows:
The Secretary of the Treasury is author
lied to iesue bonds, bearing interest at FIVE
per cent, and the principal and interest
PAYABLE in coin, and due in forty wears.
but redeemable in ten years. The amount
10 be sufficient to cover all outstanding
obligations to the United States. Other
than five per cent. bonds TO be exchanged
for obligations, or disposed of otherwise at
not less than par, and said bonds, or
proceeds thereof to he exclusively
used for the redemption or exchange of
the existing securities. The United
States bonds to be issued shall be
known a. the consolidated debt of the
United States, and shall be exempt from
all taxation by the State or local anthori-
ties, and the same with interest thereon,
and income therefrom, shall be exempt
from the payment of all taxes or duties to
the United States, other than such income
tax as may be assessed on other incomes,
and in consideration of the reduction of
the State interest, there shall be appropri-
ated ont of the import duties an amount
equal 90 one per cent. on the bonds Issued,
which shall be applied to the purchase or
payment of tie national debt 1n addi-
ton to the sums necessary to pay the in
terest and maturing bonded debt of the
United States, there shall be appropriated
out of the treasury sum which, including
said interest and maturing debt, and one
per cent. as aforesaid, shall amount
to Sl35, 100000 annually, which sum shall
be applied TO the reduction of the debt in
lien of the sinking fund contemplated by
the act of February %, 1862. Fiye-twenty
bonds shall, after the expiration of five
years from date, at the option of the
holders, be exchanged for new bonds; such
as are now redeemable shall be presented
for exchange before the lst of November
next, and not thereafter, and the residne
not laterthan six months after the expira-
ton Of FIVE years from the date, for lawful
money of the United States, and the new
bonds to be exchangeable for each other
when presented to the Treasurer, unless
the amount of United States notes out.
standing shall be equal to $500 000, 900, or
unless the United States shall resume pay
ment in coin for the notes. The last sec
ton provides that any contracts hereafter
specially made in coin shall be legal and
valid, and may be enforced according TO
the terms of said contracts.
Mr.. Trnmbull presented petition from
eol0red citizens of North Carolina, setting
forth their miserable condition, and asking
to be sent to Liberia Referred 10 Com
mittee on Finance.
Mr.. Drake spoke in support Of the re-
construction bill.
The Joint resolution authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to send one or more
naval officers TO the Hayre Maratime Ex-
hibition, to represent the United States,
was taken up.
Mr.. Conness' amendment, providing
against any attending expense, was adopted,
and after lengthy debate the resolution
was adopted by vote of Fl against 49,
HOuse of Representatives.
The House proceeded to consider the
bill concerning the rights of American
citizens in foreign countries.
Mr.. Chandler addressed the House in
criticism of the bill.
Messrs Bayer and Woodward also made
| remarks on the bill, when it went over I'M
til the morning hour of Tuesday.
Mr.. Blair, from the Appropriation Com
| mittee, reported the army appropriation
bill as amounting to $33,000,000, and a
provision for the gradual reelection of the
| military force to twenty-five regiments of
infantry, seven regiments Of cavalry and
five regiments of artillery, and no new
| commissions shall be issued in any regi-
| ments except to West Point cadets as Sec
end Iieutenants, and the Secretary of War
is directed to consolidate the regiments az
rapidly as the requirements of the public
| service will permit.
Mr.. Blaine explained briefly the items
Of the bill recapitulating as follows: For
navy, $l8,000,000, compared with the
average annual cost of over thirteen mil
| lions ofgold under Buchanan's administra-
ton; executive legislature and judicial
| expenses, ST., 000, 900; Postoffice Depart
ment, $4,000 Consular and diplomatic
expenses, $125, 200; Ordnance Department,
$3,000,000; West Point Academy, $3,000,-
| 900; miscellaneous expenses, $l4,GO0,00O,
/ making an aggregate of $9O, 100000, com
pared with $70,000,000 in gold for like ex-
penses Of the government during the first
year Of Mr.. Buchanan's administration.
| TO these ordinary expenses we're TO be ad
ded $50, 100000 for pensions, $3.50, 100000
fol- bonnties, and $l30000,000 for interest
on the public debt, making an aggregate
| expenditure of S275, 100000 for the year
| This amount Mr.. Blaine stated would be
greatly reduced in future years,
when bounties would not have to be
paid, when the army list would be reduced
and pensions curtailed as would rapidly be
from various causes
Mr.. Boss inquired why the expenses Of
| the government had not been reduced
three years ago, and why economy had
| been postponed until the elections were
so near at hand and the dominant party
seeking a new base of power The bill was
nlaie special order for the 18th.
The House proceeded % consider the
action Of the West Point bill.
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois, Who had
reported the bill, made an argument against
the amendment adopted by the committee
yesterday, on the motion of Me-. Sohenek
striking ont the item of $4,000 for the eI-
penses aud board Of visitors to the Academy.
The amendment was rejected and the bill
passed.
The Honse went into committee on the
legislation, executive and judicial sppro-
priation bill, and without disposing Of the
bill adjourned.
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