The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-15
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IA.

/ of certain disa Utilities. Referred to
Judiciary Committee.
Morgan presented a petition from
citizens Of Norfolk, for an appropria-
ton to charter a ship for the relief OF
starving people in Sweden. Referred
TO Foreign Committee.
Stuart, from the judiciary, reported
a bill for the relief of Gov. Patton. of
Alabama, which was laid over, as pre-
sent consideration was objected to.
Cole introduced bill for the better
security of the lives of passengers on
steam vessels Referred to Commit
mittee on Commerce. Also, bill
to reduce the number of Majors and
BrigadIer Generals in the army. Re-
ferred to Military Committee.
Williams offered a resolution in
structing the Committee on Finance
to inquire into the expediency of pro-
viding for the funding and consolida-
ton of the debt Of the United States
into obligations, whose principal shall
never become due, bearing interest at
four per cent per annum, payable
semiannually in coin, and exempt
from all taxation, and further to
provide for the purchase OF sueh
bonds from time to time by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, as the pecuniary
ability of the Government may Justify.
The Committee shall have also to
consider the propriety of imposing
high discriminating duties upon cost
ly abrics and luxuries. with a view
to checking excessive import
alton and in consequence the ex-
portation of gold, and reducing the
amount Of such duties collected
to the sum necessary for paying the
interest on the debt, aud removing
the taxes from the productions from
mining; also, to amend the National
Bank Act so as to permit their es-
tablishment without limit as to num-
Der, and to prohibit all other systems
of banking, and to provide for the |
substitution of National Bank notes |
in place of Treasury notes now In |
circulation, with further provisions |
promoting the return to specie pay
ment, by requiring said banks to hold |
reserves In coin, a1d Offering special |
same purpose. Laid on the table.
Frelinghuysen introduced a bill to
restore the possession of lands confs- |
CdNC0 OJ lAO d0LuOIlStSC III tAC ALaLCO
lately in rebellion. Referred to the
j Judiciary Committee.
On motion Of Davis, his resolution
to create a Constitutional tribunal,
composed of one member from each
State, to decide questions of jurisdic-
ton between the United States and
the several States thereof, was taken
up.
Nye replied to the portion of Da-
vis's speech assailing Judges Chase
and Swayne, and defending those gen.
tlemen, and paying tribute to their
ability and integrity.
Ramsay asked leave to introduce a
bill authorizing the several executive
departments to purchase paper and
envelopes of the treasury department,
provided it can be done 30 per cent.
lower than in open market.
After some discussion, Sherman
called for the special order, the Anti
Contraction Bill
Buckalew's amendment, fixing the
1st of July next as the period of
suspension of the operation of the
proposed bill. was rejected.
Drake moved to amend by prOvid-
ing for the repeal of the law allowing
contraction.
Sherman suggested that the amend
ment was not IN order, the PROPOSE
ton having already been voted down
The Chair sustained the point.
Corbett moved to amend by adding
the proviso, that nothing IL this
act shall be construed to prevent the
Secreta ryot the Treasury from sub
stituting notes payable IN gold on de-
mand in place OF an equal amount of
legal tender notes, IN such a manner
and at such times as he may deem
best Tor the public interest" Lost
the vote being 40 against l.
Morrill, offered an amendment that
the suspension of the Contraction
Law shall cease when the current
price of gold coin shall reach one
hundred and forty dollars 10 United
States notes for one hundred dollars
in coin. Lost-yeas 8. nays 81.
During the debate the bill relative
to a quorum Of the Supreme Court,
&C., with the House amendments,
came up, and was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Sherman said the amendments we're
important, and he thought it unrea
sonable that a bare majority Of any
Court should declare an act of Con-
gress unconstitutional; it was contra
ry to reason and common sense. and
he hoped the Committee would con-
slider whether three fourths or four
ffths vote, or even a unanimous vote
should not be required. On that he
would express no opinion.
Sherman reported back from Com
mlttee on Commerce House ResOlu
= Il. Il -. L. a Il