Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-02-10
CONGRESSIONAL pRooEEDiNGg,

TIE Senate on the Sd passed the bill
extending the time for the compilation of
the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
Mr.. Sherman, from the finance committee,
reported the funding bill, Which he said
was intended to prevent contraction, and
provides that there shall be no imitation
In the House the bill to admit Mississip-
pi into the Union was passed-yeas 124,
nays 56. It imposes the same terms as
the bill admitting Virginia. A bill max
ing appropriations for Deficiencies in cer-
tain bureaus Of the Navy Department
was reported. This bill is intended to
prevent the discharge of workingmen in
the several navy yards. 1t was amended
SO as to appropriate the sum $4,000, 900,
and then passed.
II the Senate on the 4th an effort was
made to consider the bill abolishing the
sranking privilege, but failed by a vote of
yeas %, nays "a The bill TO incorporate
the Washington Homeopathic Medical
Society was amended SO as to authorize
the admission of any competent pract;-
toner, irrespective of color, and was thus
passed The bill to remove the political
disabilities Of certain persons was under
discussion when the Senate adjourned
until Monday,
The House adopted resolution direct
ing the committee on military affairs to
inquire what member or members of the
present and former Congresses if any,
have sold or offered for sale appointments
70 the Military Academy at West Point or
the Naval Academy at Annapolis. The
bill for the aid Of the poor of the District
of Columbia, amended SO as to authorize
the Secretary of War to distribute rations,
was passed The House adjourned until
to day for general debate only.
In the House on Saturday general
discussion took place, only about thirty
members being present. There was no
notable episode in the proceedings, and at
four o'clock the House adjourned. The
Senate was not in session.
IMPORTANT LEGAL TENDER DEotslos ~
One Of the long expected DECISIONS of :.Ine
United States supraGe Court, involving
the effect es the legal-te tender law upon
contracts made prior to its passage, was
delivered at Washington yesterday. The
case was that of Hepburn VS.. Griswold,
from the Court of Appeals of Kentucky,
in which gold was claimed instead of
United States notes for debt contract~
ed prior to the 10Th of Jaly, 1862; the
date OF the passage Of the legal tender
act. The court, by majority of one,
decides that such contracts cannot be dis
charged in legal-tender notes, but the de-
cision does not touch the question of con-
tracts made since the passage of the law.
A dissenting opinion was read, affirming
the entire constitutionality of the legal
tender act, but as matter of course that
is entirely useless, except to show that
there are three justices Miller, SWsine
and Davis who up5old the law Of Cou-
gress as constitutional incident TO the
war power. Chief Justice Chase add JUS
tees Nelson, Clifford and Field agree in
the majority opinion now rendered.
Under such decision of the highest
court good deal Of hardship must result
| w 'uVeC ~ itafO W p@J NOpDo ooh'i "o'0u
before the date Of the law, and will be
especially burdensome upon the South,
where most Of the debts are of old date,
and her impoverished condition renders
her little able to pay such obligations il
currency Of any kind. Perhaps, however.
creditors, to large extent, even in these
cases, will find it TO their advantage and
convenience to accept currency, though
in many peculiar cases as those of trusts,
&C., especially where the interests of or
phaus and wards are concerned, all that
the law allows may be demanded The
decision Of the Supreme Court and its re-
suits show a greater necessity than ever
of such financial policy on the part of
the Government, such legislation in Con
gress and such economy, public and pri
vate, as will lead to restoration of the
credit of the country, placing our affairs
upon firm basis, and preparing the way
fer return, with the utmost practical
speed, to specie payments.
Y