The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-16

policy of retaining in the treasury a
currency balance of about $25, ,OOO,OOO
replied to their criticism that an unusu-
ally large balance is necessary in order
to provide for the redemption OF $45,
0O0, 900 worth of three per cent. certifi-
Gates authorized to be retired by the act
of July II, 1870. These certificates are
liable, he says, to be presented at any
time, and the Government, like any
other debtor who has out heavy iiabill.
ties payable at sight, must have in hand
funds available for that purpose. AS
currency receipts are much diminished,
the only way in which the payment of
these can be provided for is by holding
this large balance or by selling gold to
raise motley as it is needed Secretary
Boutwell, adds, that this large balance
injures no one but the Government, and
that only by loss of interest. Any
other plan he thinks would, by derange-
ment of the financial machinery Of the
country, result in far greater loss.
Claims Before Congress-.
WASHINGTON, February 10. The
House committee on Claims have S42
cases upon their docket, about l2O
of which have been acted upon favor
ably, and $50 un!avorably, and the re-
mainder have not been reached. But
even this large number does not include
all the claims introduced in the House.
Nearly every committee has some
to consider. The Pension committee
nave more than 800 Pension Claims,
the Military committee has about 800
war claims, while the committee
on Private Land Claims, Naval Affairs,
Foreign Affairs, Postoffices, Patents Ju-
dietary and Appropriations, have each
large number. A moderate estimate
puts the number of claims fled in the
House during the present Congress at
over 5000, and probably 1000 more in
the Senate. The establishment Of a
Court ofClaims, was for the express pur-
pose of relieving Congress OF this busi-
ness Of passing upon the flood OF de-
mands for relief which pour upon both
Houses.
Grant Refuses to Sign the Test Oath
Bill-His Reasons.
WASHINGTON, February ID.
To The Senate and House Of Representa-
tees:
| have this day transmitted to the
Senate the announcement that Senate
bill No. 2lS, IAN act prescribing an oath
of Office to be taken by persons who
participated in the late rebellion who
are not disqualified from holding office
by the fourteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States has
become a law in the manner prescribed
by the Constitution without rhe sigma
ture of the President. If this
were law for the repeal of the test
oath requiring of persons elected or ap-
pointed to offices OF honor and trust, ii
would meet my approval The effect
will be, however, TO relieve from taking
the prescribed oath all those persons
who il was intended to exclude from such
offices and TO require II from all ON
ers. By this law the soldier who fought
and bled for his country is 10 swear 10 his
LOYALTY before assuming official func-
tions. whilst General who commanded
hosts for the overthrow of his Govern
ment is admitted to place without it.
cannot atfix my name to law which
discriminates against the upholders Of
the Government. ! believe, how
ever, that it is not wise policy
to keep from office by oath those who
are not disqualified by the Constitution
and are the choice of legal voters; but
while relieving them from an oath
which they cannot take, ! recommend
the release, also, of those to whom the
oath has no application. ~.
(Signed) |. :. GRANT.