Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-03
FORTY THIRD CONGRESS.
"WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 3.

OF law lOr tne prepayment Oh postage on all
mailable matter.
Mr. Ramsey introduced bill to establish the
teI ritOTy OF Pembiua, and to provide tenn
ICIary government therefor.
AFTER THE MORMONs.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen Introduced a bill to aid in
the extension OF the laws in the territory of
Utah and tor other purposes.
He said that IL would be remembered that
the President had sent in special message on
n il subject, and the Senate had passed a whole
day III discussing bill reported from Judiciary
committee. He had incorporated in the bill
now INTRODUCED all the amendments agreed to
10y the Senate He would ask for its early con-
sicelation.
FEEE BANKING AND RESUMPTION.
Mr.. Merrill (Nt.) called up his resolution in
stTuctiug the Finance Committee to report a
bill to provide for free banking and the re-
sumption of specie payment. He called atten-
ton 10 the tact that the currency was near to
a specie standard and that although in a time
OF panic 1t was proper TO Te-Ort to means to bring
II entirely to "A specie basis. Late occurrences
had demonstrated that war was yet one OF the
probapil ties in the history of all Countries.
War with us would mean another issue of hun
dreds OF millions of bonds. What broker would
have predicted at the close of the war that nine
years after We would be as far from specie
sumption at that time. He facetIOusly
alluded TO the Secretary of the Treasury as
carrying balancing pole with gold at one end
and greeBbacks as the other, and depressing CT
eleyating 1t to circumvent the plots of Wal,
street. He urged that Congress should make
an earnest and ehectual effort to hit the cOun-
try out of the slough of deprecated currency.
He SAID that the administration of the treasury
was so far entirely free from all reprOach of i'm
propriety, but the remedy for the present con
dtion of things rested in Congress.
Discussing the question OF resumption Of
specie payments, he said he did not feel hims II
able TO speak of it in all its intricaoies and
TamihcatiODs, but thOre were certain facts and
principles which were apparent. Our expe-
Tience is not different from that of other cOun-
tIies which have attempted to force an ire
deemable paper circulation; paper money
which cannot be redeemed in cash at the OPP
ton OF the holder is not money. Our promises
are an engraved Acknowledgement on every
note that we issue. Great Britain, with all its
commerce, has only two hundred and fifteen
millions of paper money in circulation-less
than one-thiId OF ours. He dssented from the
idea that the needs of business demanded any
increase of the currency, and said that, no m at
ter 10 what volume it was expanded, there
would always be some "Oliver" CRYING for
more. He criticised severely the arrogance
of the champions of a deprecated currency
The perpetual flow of gold ahead has been
perpetual advertisement of our deprecated cur
Tency. Short "a we may now be of currency,
the expansion Of paper money can result in no
benefit TO us. 1t feeds instead of restraining a
panic. He pronounced the scheme to insure a
convertible 800 bond a. most stunning. The
promoters OF II, he said, were advocates of an
indefinite expansion. Their plan would allow
every man to be his own banker, and cut loose
from all restraint of legitimate banking and
and wholly divorced from q specie basis. lie
trusted in the American people TO restrain
Congress in any wise measure to secure a sound
currency, to make American money equal
to any money in the world. Our foreign carry
ing trade can never be wholly recovered while
We have deprecated currency. Nature has
bestowed upon our country the precious metals
IN the most lavish abundance, but they have
lost their greatest use to us. He commented at
length on the evils OF deprecated paper
currency, as vicious and demOraizing to the
people, causing extravagsnce both public and
private. 1t is insiduOusy working revolution
IN the morals and habits of the people. Frugal
~ has become a lost art, speculation is rife.
work seems TO be going out OF fashion. How
can we expect to train up conscientious race
OF people when the government sets them the
example of issuing and reissuing notes notor-
ously below their face. The Senate at p. m.
went into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Butler (Mass.) asked leave to lay on the table
the resolution pending at the adjournment yes
terday in relation to the Louisiana case so far as
1t affected Mr.. Pinchback. He said that he pro
posed 70 follow that up 10y a motion to refer all
the credentials to the Committee on Elections
Messrs: Beck and Cox objected to the reSoln-
tive to the credentials.
Mr.. Buffers resolution was adopted.
MT. Cessna Pa offered resolution to place
on herOls the names of John j. Davis, from
the LIST district of West Virginia, and of j. NJ.
HOgans, from the ID district, without prejudice
10 the rights of the contestants, Mescrs, A. Il.
Wilson and Il. r. Martin.
COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS.
The Speaker announced the following As the
standing Committee on Election, viz: Messrs.
ii. Boardman Smith of y. Y, Chas. p. Thomas
OF y. &. Gerry w. HaZleton, of Wisconsin, Lem
uel Todd OF Penna., Austin +. Pike OF y. H.,
Jas. b. Sener of Va, j. W. Robinson Of Ohio,
Horace II. Harrison of Tenn, VIM. T.. Arthur
OF Ken, k. Milton SpeeT OF Penua., and Lucius
q. T.. IaIner OF Miss.
THE WEST VIRGINIA ELECTIONS.
Mr. Cessna's resolution was then taken up for
consideration.
Mr.. Lawrence (OhiO) advocated its adoption.
Mr.. Beck (Ky.l said this was entirely a qu rs
ton Of law. Two elections were held in West
Virginia. one in August, and the other in Octo-
Der, and the whole question to be determined
was in which month was the legal election held,
and that should be determined by tn e Commit
tee On Elections and no one should be admit
ted until after the decision OF that committee
Messrs. Hereford West Va and Randall
(Pa) took the same ground.
MIR. Butler lNass.l argued that the August
election was the proper one TO be recognized
by Congress, and that Nessrs. Davis and Ho-
gans having been elected at that election had
the PriBd f1cie right.
Messrs. Harris, (Na.,) Potter On. W and
others thought the whole question was TOO grave
TO be determined in this hasty manner by seat
ing these men. They advocated reference ~
the judiciary Committee in order that there
might be an intelligent report on the cOnstltu-
tiOnaiity OF the elections.
The question was further discussed in its legal
aspects by Messrs. Marahall, IN. } +. II. Huar,
tMsss.,) Maynard tfenn) and Dawes, (Mass)