New-York tribune., 1869-03-12
xLIsr CONGRESS-IsT SAss1oN
SENATE. -. WASHINGTON. SIarch Il, 1869.
PETITIONS AND MEMOIR AIS

PETITIONS AND hEmoiL
Various petitions memorial. &c, were pre-
septed and referred. Among therA are the following
ByMr SUMNER Gep.. Mass. OF tho citizens OF Texas
against the organization Of Gt State under the Consu
tuition recently formed.
BILLS REPORTy.D BACK FRoH COMMITTEES.
Various bills were reoorSed back from the Committee,
among them the fotowing
BY Mr.. ROSS VleA, Eau), from the Committee on IN
Alan AairsFor the relief Of settlers Indian lands IN
BY Mr. GFIMEs ep Iowa., from tse Committee t,I on
with amendments Ordered TO be pri0ted ,.. -,
poyes for the creation Of Board Of A.f $ ,i have gen.
supervision O all matters relating to tbe II & SP
% % & ~ tt gy,Ss Of Iie0tenst Commander the active
op suAu pe 1le W '.i - .r.Jc is reduced eight.
Which shall thereafter tie tme a9a ttE ' o, ssteT.
spd ens in each g're me namocr 81 Se5ts @
~ 4, as .s S % i ] a ons he limits are reached The Maue
SS'P, is 70 spsI Gs 3 three mor Sdaut
iEspses one Pay~AsI one tNenur second
leeuauts sergetmso one drum
sa 6' and 1890 y'te' The reduction is to be
BILLS INTRODUCED. ,-,,.-..
Bills on leave introduced and referred az 0Hows
OF public lands for the benefit OF public schools IN the
District OF Columbia Also for the removal Of political
disabilities from various persons Also l"r the se oi 'he
ByNIr HOWARD Rep, Mch) Authorizing the south,
ern Michigan Railroad Company To connect It's lines Win
the Northern Pacific Railway Company
BY Mr.. POOL G;ep, N Cl-To dispense with the test
By Mr. P0MEROY rep. Kansas)-For the improve
met Of the River aud for the relief OF actual set
Tiers ON Indian lands IN Kansas ,D.
BY Mr.. CORBETT Q}cp, Oregou)-To establish De
tfrnciinn of the Oregon branch of the Pacific Railroad
By Mr.. COLE u}ep ,Cal)-To encourage ana iaclhtaIe
By Mr' SUMNER rep Mass)-Relatng to telegraphic
communication between the United states ana foreign
Bv Mr.. FERRY CRep. Conn)-To enforce the XVIII
Rrcc Of the amendments TO the Constitution Relerreu
10 fine ligil
on motion Of Mr. HARLAN rep. Iowa. the House
Joint resolution to supply omission IN the enrolment
of the Miscellaneous Appropriation bill by inserting an
item Of 81 200 for A. b. Shepherd the amount OF cheek
Tor Indian supplies Whien oAeoA was o'' ~ 'i' We"
THE CLAWS AGAINST VENEZUELA
On motion. the President requested 10 INFORM inc
Senate whether Government or Venezuela had pald
the iustament due to American citizens by award
VI ''N TnE PUBLIC CREDIT BILL.
The Senate then, at o'clock took up the OIL 70
strengthen public credit and relating to contracts for
the payment Of COIN , 49,, ~,
by striking the second section which legalzes con
tracts be hereafter made to be specifically paid ~ coin
He said he had been favor Of the principle Of the sec
tOn and had voted for It at the last session but that
since the recent decision OF the supreme Court on the
passing It. Now, according to that decision contracts IN
fCni No An act of Cougressi Why, he reason
why Congress should intervene in order 10 gave any Rd'
dtonal sanction to contracts gold. On the contrary,
he saw difculties ia the way. IL was embarrassing
questions which had not been opened under the decision
Oi the Supreme Court He had, therefore come to the
conclusion that it better 10 rely ON that decision as
a1-sutfcICut the present.
Mr.. SHERMAN (2ep, OAiO) opposed the amendment
offered by Mr. Sumner The two sections Of the bill We're
harmonious lie had examined the decision Of the SUI
preme Court The point decided was simply that con
tract payable in coin, made before Inc passage OI the Ie
gaeu0cr could be enOrCed He was in favor OF the
section because would act guard against usury m
restricting s operation 70 contracts where com OF com
value "a the consideration.
Mr.. COLE Rep Cali in favor of striking ont the
section account OF its effect on business IN California
which generally done coin basis, ana because lie
thought thar ii had the legal inference OF declaring III
valid such contracts heretofore made.
Mr. WILLIAMS (icp.. oregon in favor Of retain
ing the section, although ne did not attach very much
Importance He aid not with the legal pTopo-
Eilion stated ny the senator from CanIOlul9' . A., go
Mr.. HOWARD rep. MichJ was opposed TO the sec
tlon because ne thOuent IL an eiiri O io
rights Of the states the question OF private contracts pc
INK within the exclusive control OF the State Legisla
lures. II the section 10 be retained, he would move
amendment 10 IL, providing that such contracts
A MESSAGE FROM TIE PRESIDENT
During the discussion, of the Presidents Secre
writing and immediately afteTWaId at l:lO) the Senate,
motion Of Mr.. WILSON went into Executive session.
THE PUBLIC CREDIT BILL RESUMED
The Senate resumed It's legislative session at o'clock
and continued the consideration Of the bill strengthen
The pubic credit, aud relating 10 contracts for the
uent OF cOln the question being on Mr. Summers motion
10 strike Out the second section.
Mr.. STEWART rep, New In favor Of striking out
the secuOn or Ot amending II so as TO read, that any
written contract made specifically payable coin shall
be legal and valid, aud may DO enforced according
10 a iLs ton was further continued by Messrs SUM-
NER C0RRfTT EERRY, WILLIAMS, and NORTON,
nlI Of whom argued agau.t the second section.
Nj MORTON Hiep. IndJ con.~ssed his surprise az the
decision the Supreme Court OF the ted states legal
zng coin contracts and stated that II vas ~ conflict
with all the decisions on that suJeet 4le by tle e
Finally the question was taken on Mr. Stewards
Mr.. Summers amendment strike the second sec
tion, and resulted Yeas q, Nay H. as follows: