Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-04
Congressional.


sage was received from the Senate stating
that the Postofiice and Legislative APP
preparation bills had passed.
The House non-concurred in the Sen,
ate's amendments, and asked Confer
ence Committee.
Speaker Coltax then delivered his
farewell speech, and was greeted at its
conclusion with applause.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, then took the
Speakers chair, and the usual compli-
mentary resolution to the retiring Speak
er was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Pomeroy was then unanimously
elected Speaker, and took the oath, and
after returning thanks, the business was
proceeded with
The joint resolution for printing the
Medical History of the Rebellion was
passed.
The Deficiency bill, as amended by the
Senate, was then received.
The Committee on the Treatment OF
Prisoners made report, which was or
dered to be printed.
The report Of the Committee on Ac.
counts, relative to the contingent fund,
was then taken up; and the resolution
that no csrpeting or furnishing be done,
unless authorized by the Committee on
Buildings, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms
be reimbursed for summoning witnesses,
compelling the presence of members and
mileage, passed.
A resolution to pay the clerks of the
committees six dollars per day when ac-
tually employed passed.
A motion to suspend the rules and re-
scind the resolution to pay the Louisiana
contestants $2500 was made, and after a
debate was tabled.
The bill annulling the tax on spirits
and tobacco, and extending the time OF
drawing the whisky from the warehouse
till the goth of April, was reported and
passed.
Senate--At 2 am. the Senate passed
the Deficiency bill, and adjourned.
1t met again to-day, at noon, and q
joint resolution, instructing the Secretary
of the Treasury to withhold all pay
ments to Corcoran for the use of property
during the war, until he takes the oath,
was reported, and the yeas and nays
ordered; and pending this vote, Mr.,
Sherman reported Sehenck's bill 10
strengthen the public credit, with its pro-
visions substantially unchanged, and q
debate ensued
The report Of the committee was
finally ngpeed to by 81 against "a.
The following is the bill as agreed TO :
Be ID enacted, ETC., That in order to re-
move any doubt as to the purpose of the
Government to discharge all just obliga-
iions to the public creditors, and 20 set
tie conflicting questions aud interpreta-
tons of the laws, by virtue Of which such
obligations have been contracted, it is
hereby provided and declared that the
faith of the United States is solemnly
pledged to the payment in coin or its
equivalent of all the obligations Of the
United States not bearing interest,
known as Uuited States notes, and OF
the Understanding obligations OF the
United States, except in cases where the
law authorizing the issue Of any such
obligation has expressly provided that
the same be paid in lawful money or
other currency than gold or silver, but
none Of said interest bearing obligations,
| not already due, shall be paid or re-
deemed before maturity, unless at such
time United States notes shall be con-
veriible into coin, OF the option of the
holder; or unless at such tine the bonds
of the United States, bearing 0 lower in
terest than the bonds to be redeemed, can
be sold at par in coini and the United
States also solemnly pledges its faith to
make provision, at the earliest practical
BILE period, for the redemption Of the
| United States notes in coin.
Sac. 2. Be ii further enacted, etc,
That any contract hereafter made spe
cially payable in coin, aud the considera'
ton may be loan or sale of property, OF
the rendering Of labor or services of any
kind, the price OF which is carried into
the contract, may have been adjusted on
the basis OF the coin value thereof at the
time of such sails c. the rendering Of such
labor or service, shall De legal aud valid,
and may be enforced according TO its
terms, and on the trial of q suit brought
| for the enforcement Of any such contract,
proof Of the real consideration may be
given,
The morning hour having expired, the
Army Appropriation bill came up as IN
finished business, ana after Q dlscussion,
Summers amendment providing for the
payment Of the interest on the claim Of
Massachusetts was rejected by l6 TO 81
and the army bill passed.
The Corcoran joint resolution was then
passed by "a to 3.
The Senate, on the motion of Mr. Sum
usr, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, refused to concur in the House
amendment to The Joint resolution ex-
pressing sympathy With Spain end then
went into executive session,