Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-19

county are not entitled to their seats,
as they represent a disloyal population
and cannot take the oath prescribed in
the reconstruction acts. Among the
facts relied upon to establish this con-
clusion is the prevailing character of
the performances at Fisk's Grand
Opera House, where night after night
crowds assemble to cheer the rebel
leaders and to treat the chiefs of the
republican nation with dignified con-
tempt.
THE GOLD GAMBLERS Conspiracy.
The sensation of the week is likely
to be the investigation of the gold
gamblers conspiracy. An excellent
beginning was made on Monday,
when several witnesses were exaIh
ined. The committee have already
in their possession evidence showing
that the conspiratOrs held a secret
meeting every day before the collapse;
that Fisk proposed to elaborate
scheme for forcing gold up to 100, and
compelling everybody to settle at that
figure. This plan aYas so outrageous
in its character that the ring did not
dare formally to adopt it, though the
operations on the following day were
substantially carried out on the basis
of the plan. The evidence also shows
that the cOuspiratOrs, greatly aided
by national banks, certified their
checks mostly in excess Of the money
they had on deposit. The investiga-
ton viii continue tomorrow. Grant
and Company, il is more than hinted
at, cannot escape their part in the plot.
THE XIyTH AND XVIII AMEND
MENTs.
The Washington correspondent of
the Baltimore Gazette says; The Radi-
cal leaders confess that the validity of
the XINth and XVIII Amendments
is at least questionable. Nothing Cer-
tainly could be more disastrous to the
public peace than a doubtful funda-
mental law. The action OF Congress
(besides) for the past eight years has
been confessedly IN repugnance to the
Constitution as it stood prior to the
war. Under these circumstances, it is
suggested by the Congressional organ,
as the only means of repose, the as
sembiing Of a Constitutional COnven-
ton. AS il strikes me as not only an
important admission on the part OF the
Radicals, but, rs containing some
grains OF common sense, not often
found in Radical newspa pers, l append
it in the writer's own words: 7" 1t has
been suggested that, to provide a def
mite Qlljetis for such questions, it may
be necessary to cOnvoke g COnstitu-
JiOnal Convention, which should recast
the entire Constitution, with all its
amendments, taking advantage Of the
occasion to Affirm the sense Of the coun-
tTyupOn any desirable modification Of
chat instrument"
FINANCES,
The Senate Committee on Finance
have had a special meeting for the
purpose of considering tire various
financial measures before them. They
discussed at length Secretary Bout
wells proposition TO increase the Ma
tiOnal Bank circulation S3j, 900, 600, and
to retire So, 600, 600 Of the three per
cent. legal tender certificates. 1t is
evident 10 tie committee that q very
strong pressure will be made in Con-
gress this winter TO secure the passage
OF a free banking scheme, notwith- !
ing Secretary boutwell, and President
Grant are decidedly opposed to iJ. The
committee discussed Senator Sher-
mans proposition to allow the Secre- !
tary OF the Treasury to issue forty Or
fifty million gold certificates, of large
aud small demon nations, based on
the amount of gold in the Treasury.
1t is thought they can be used to adj (
vantage by the Secretary Of the Treas /
Ury 10 various ways, and IN the pur- |
chase of bonds, if he so chooses. The /
-, .,,. =, .ttee hone to mature one or both
of the above Measures, SO as Co bring
them before Congress at an early day. /
The committee viii sustain the recon- |
Of Secretary Boutwell, .
against any further initiation of the /.
currency. From the sentiments ex-
pressed by the members Of the COM |
mittee, IL is doubtful whether they /
viii give the authority asked for by /
him OF retiring two millions Of green |
backs per mouth, if he should deem it |
to do so.