Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-13
Proceedings I'm the HauSe

Mr.. Butler, of Mass, introduced bill
to authorize the issue of a national cur-
rency to assure its stability and elasticity
and to lessen the interest on the publ C
debt and reduce rates of interest. Re-
ferred to Committee of Ways and Means.
On motion OF MIR. Butler, he moved to
reconsider the motion, and thereupon
made lengthy speech in support of the
bill
On motion of Mr. Washburn, of ILL.,,
MIR. Buffers motion to reconsider was
laid ON the table.
Mr.. Spalding, from Committee on APP
preparations, reported a resolution that
all the papers and evidence returned to
the War Department by Davis, Hall and
Campbell, and commission touching
claims of the department OF the West be-
fore the l4th of October, 1861, shall be
surrendered and turned over to the At
tOrney General, whose duty it shall be to
cause the evidence to be examined and
such as has bearing on the Court of
Claims shall be printed and received by
said court, subject, however, to examinaa
ton and REORGANIZATION Of witnesses Of
either party.
Mr.. Spalding said the committee had
unanimously instructed him to offer the
resolution, and asked its passage at this
time. He explained that these claims
were adjudicated by a commission ap.
pointed under an act of Congress. One
of them was Justice of the Supreme
Court, another, Jas. Holt, head of the
Bureau of Military Justice, and the third
an eminent merchant of st. Louis Tn
commission carefully examined these
claims, and directed so much Of them to
be paid as they deemed just. Claimants
did receive their money and gave
receipts in full, but now, astonish-
ing as it might appear, they bring
| suit in the Court of Claims and
ask the difference between what was
originally claimed and what they said
they ought to have in satisfaction of their
claims. Claimants say they gave receipts
under duress, therefore they are not
bound by them. In reply to question
| by Mr.. Schenck, he said, the evidence
was not conclusive and was to be taken
by the court for what it was worth The
resolution passed
The bill relieving the political disa-
bilities of w. II. Bagley, of North Carroll :
ma, passed by the requisite two-thirds
vote.
Mr.. Washburn, Of Illinois, from the
committee on appropriations, reported
the Legislative, etc, appropriation bill,
which was made the special order for
tomorrow.
A bill passed giving the use of the
rotunda and old hall of Representatives
for the Inauguration ball
The bill to equalze bounties of SOL
diers, sailors, and mariners who served
in the late war for the Union was con.
sidered and postponed three weeks.
Mr.. Banks, from Foreign Committee,
| reported q resolution requesting the
President to use his good Offices for .pur-
poses obtaining from the Russian Cow
eminent prompt and Just consideration
of the claims of Benjamin w. Perkins
and others. Adopted Mr. Banks re-
ported the joint resolution already pubs
lished in the newspapers proposing pro-
lection of Hayti and San Domingo by the
United States He said this subject had
been brought to our attention very res
Gently, and that the resolution was based
upon the theory that these republics dee
sired the action recommended. He Was
not, however, authorized officially 10
state the fact, but mentioned, on his own
responsibility predicated on the best ins
formation which he could obtain. lie
had presented the subject to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs There was
not time for full consideration 1t wat
a naval question and Of Importance, bu
he received the unanimous authority o
the committee to make the report.
MIR. Mullins inquired whether by pur-
suing this course they were not running
the hazard of interfering with foreign
governments.
Mr.. Banks replied, in no respect what
ever. No European government had thu
slightest claims on the island, and tn
resolution did not contemplate interven
lion in the slightest degree. 1t was Onl!
for the purpose Of assisting Hayti AM
San Domingo to retain their own author
ity.
Mr.. Ingersoll asked Mr.. Banks to in
form the House what would be our futur
ability by virtue of the proposed protect
crate or our relations.
Mr. Banks said the resolution did no
contemplate a protectOrate in the EurOp
can sense. cit might require nothin
more than sending thither vessel of wa
and in case of the interruption of publ
peace to advise the parties attempting
revolution, that they had better wait til
{ the regular period of election occurred
lie was satisfied this would be sutficien
= to secure the object Of the resolution.
= Mr.. Woodward inquired whether thi
9 was not initiating steps for entangling all
ances against which the Father of gu
= country warned us.
g Mr.. Banks replied that it was iniLiatin
e no steps excepting to secure good govern
t ment. Ali the European powers had Te
D 90 "a lied the independence Ofthese repul