Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-10
Congress.

the newly eleced Senator from Maryland, heo
qualified, Mr. Wilson introduced q bill pro7id-
ing for the conversion and funding Of the inter-
est-bearing debt, and to amend the banking
laws. It authorizes the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to issue coupons or registered bonds sufi-
cient 10 redeem the entire interest bearing debt,
except the FIVE per cent. torty-yeer bonds:
provides that said bonds shall be payable IN
ffty wears, and shall bear six per cent. for
twenty years, and five per cent. after twenty
years, interest payable, semi-annually: provides
that said bonds shall be used solely trr rcdemp..
ton and exchange Of existing bonds, and said
exchange may be made until January lst, 1870,
under regulations to be prescribed by the Sec
retary of the Treasury: lays tax OF one per
cent. Der annum on said bonds, and directs the
Secretary of the Treasury to Withhold the same
from payment of interest as it accTues. Mir.
Wilson called up the bill to restore Alabama to
the right of representation in the Union. Mr..
Wilson, during his remarks upon the measure,
said if there had been no Intimidation" ct
colored voters by the opponents OF reconstruc,
ton. the Constitution would have been carried
by a large vote C!) He understood that Gen.
Meade was now examining into the election
returns aud if no action was taken by Congress,
would order another election. 1t was referred
to the Judiciary Committee. The Consular
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was then
discussed TO the time Of adjournment.
In the House OF Representatives, yesterday,
bill for the reduction Of naval expenses was
REFEREED One of its provisions IS to close UP
the Naval Academy at Annapolis Tor term OF
years Gen. Grant was dl1ec ed to communl-
+to o1i n l. on
Hancock in relation to the removal of the Com
mon Council Of New Orleans, of Jefferson City
not hitherto submitted \ resolution declaring
shat a sound financial policy requires the
gradual Withdrawal OF interest bearing notes
by our Government, and the substitution
therefor Of y. S. notes, popularity known as
greeDbacks," was rejected-yeas Sc, nays Cd
and referred to the Committee Of Ways and
Means The Judiciary Committee was in
structed to report such an amendment to the
Cons itntion 80 as to settle and define the quail
iicarion OF electors, and axe the same uni
form to all the States of the Union. The Sen
ate amendments 10 the bill of the House, re.
curing certain moneys now in the hands of the
Secretary OF the Treasury resulting from GER
tain sales OF abandoned cotton, e., to be Gov
cred in the Treasury, was taken up. An excl.
ting discussion cnsued upon the bill. MIR.
Logan, in speaking upon what he sad were
he al ged abuses in the Treasury Depart
ment. stated thar recently the Supe' intendent
OF the TT asury Prin ing Bureau, Mr. Clark,
had obtained the Certificate OF three other oln
GERS OF the Treasury to the destruction in then
presence of cancelled bonds to the amount of
SIS O4O. 900, while in fact and in truth
no such bonds had been destroyed, while what
was supposed to he such bonds was nothing
more than blank paper. This he had been told
ny Mr.. Clark himself lie had not believed
he statement, but had gone to Gen. Spinner on
the subject Gen. Spinner had told him that
it was all wrong, and that there Dug ht to De
some explanation made of it. He Gen. Spin
ner) dill not know how it was ond supposed il
must have been made Satisfactorily He said
if he had known the fact at the time he would
not have allowed it to be done Considerable
excitement was creaed by Mr. Logan a.
nouncemenr, and the Committee or Re1rench
ment was instructed to Immediately investigate
the sui ject, and 70 report tomorrow. The
committee walted upon treasurer Spinner yes
terday, and he informed them thst the Govern
ment had not lost dollars worth OF bonds By
the transactions IN question; that there was no
foundation for thc report that fraud has been
committed in this particular, ana that 1t has
probably arisen from misunderstanding of The
manner in which business is conducted in the
Printing Bureau. The Secretary Of the Treas
ury was directed to inform the House if Ed.
mund Cooper is 10 the performance Of the du
ties of Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
whether he has been SO acting since his rel sc-
ton by the Senate, and, if so, under what au-
thority of law. Mr.. Schenck reported bill to
exempt manufactures from internal tag. The
House adjourned until to day.