Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-09
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS.
TUESDAY, December 0.

On motion of Mr.. Hamilton, of Maryland,
the petition OF the heirs of Nathaniel Howard, a
ard referred to Committee on Revolutionary
Claims.
Mr.. Cragin introduced bill for the relief
Robin White. Referred to Committee on
MIR. Alcoru introduced bill to provide for the
construction of levees on the Mississippi river.
Referred to select committee on the leyees of
the Mississippi.
Mr.. Ingalls, introduced a bill to provide for
the aiming and equipping of the whole body OF
the militia of the United States, and for other
purposes. Referred TO Committee on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. Morrill, of VT introduced bill to provide
for specie resumption and free banking, Re-
ferrsd 10 Committee on Finance.
Mr. Ramsey introduced bill to provide for the
Transmission OF correspondence by telegraph.
Referred to Committee on Post Offices.
The Vice President gave notice that after to-
morrow he would be absent, and the Senate
would have to elect President pro tenn.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill explanatory of
the ninth section of the act of July, 1866, con-
corning depOstOrs in savings banks.
Mr. Hamilton of Texas, introduced a bill to
authorize the construction OF public buildings
at Austin, Texas. Referred to Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds.
Mr.. johnson introduced bill TO authorize the
Washington and st. Louis railroad company to
extend lis road into the District of Columbia.
Also, bill to remove the political disabilities of
Thos. l.. BococNand +. }. Harvey, OF Va, Jno.
ii. Reagan, of Texas, and Others.
the 18th regiment of Iowa volunteers Referred
to Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Morton offered a resolution requesting
the Secretary of the Treasury TO communicate
to the Senate the statistics of trade between the
United States and Canadian ports for the years
1871 and 1sl2, and said that he should submit
some remarks on the subjectin short time.
Mr.. Carpenter introduced resolution in
structing the Judiciary committee to inquire
whether the 18th section OF the Judiciary act of
1888 has been repealed by the second section of
the act 1861. The spPtiop the hill nf
referred to wfits of error to state courts, and it
was the opinion of some that it had been re-
pealed by the act of 1867 The resolution, which
further instructs the committee to report
whether any additional legislation is necessary,
was then adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, the Sec
Rotary of the Treasury was directed to commu-
nicate TO the Senate the amount paid TO colec-
tors, naval officers, and detectives for the ten
years ending June so, 1872, on account Of fines,
Mr.. Buckingham called up his bill to provide
for free banking, and spoke briefly in explana-
ton of the same.
The Senate then, at 1:l0 p. M, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. q
Buffinton Mass from Committee on Account I,
offered resolution authorizing the employment
OF clerks by commit les who were authorized to
employ clerks in the last Congress, and at the
same rate Of compensation. Adopted.
Mr. Dawes (Mass.), from Committee of WAYS
and Means, reported back a bill Tor the
REDEMPTION or THE LOAN OF 1858.
Mr.. Kelley Pa offered an amendment posi-
lively declaring that 1t was the pleasure of the
government to pay said loan on January LIST,
MIR. Dawes said that bill of a similar char
acter had come here day or two ago from the
Senate, but the House would remember that
a year ago there was lively discussion as to
the right OF the Senate to originate any money
bills whatever. The House at that time insisted
upon its prerogatives and the Committee OF
Ways and Means had, therefore, made some
alterations in the bill SO that it would appear
as an original measure. This settled the quee-
ton OF the right OF the House to originate mo-
ney bills. The bill as now reported permitted
holders OF the loan Of 1853 to exchange the same
for five per cent. bonds, and it also extends the
time for exchange to February LIST, 1874. He
sand there were many of the holders of the
bonds who were willing to take the five per
cent. bonds, and if they were willing to do 50
the government should not put any impede
ment in the way.
Mr.. Burchard CIll.) offered an amendment
that the bonds should run without interest dur
ing the month OF January.
MIR. Kelley Pa said his amendment prOvi-
ded only that the bonds should be paid accord
ing TO their tenor. 1t was only So, COZ, 900
loan, and in his opinion il was placing the coun-
try in very Illuminating position to say that it
could not take up this loan. Congress should
not permit doubt to be entertained of the
power OF the government to redeem this debt.
Mr.; Randall Pa suggested an amendment
TO redeem the bonds in coin.
bill.
Mr.. Beck Ky said all who opposed the bill
of the Committee were in the Interest of free
trade and increased tariffs. He was one of those
who believed that no part of the principal Of
the public debt should be paid in the present
condition OF the country so long as holders Of
bonds. The committee in their report enables
holders of these bonds to leave the money in
the Treasury and to let it be used further by
the government
After further discussion, Mr.. Dawes agreed
to modify his bill 80 as to provide that the bonds
should be paid in gold.
Mr.. Garfield offered an amendment providing
that, in order to meet the deficiency which
would be OccasOned by the payment of this
loan, taxes should be levied as follows:-On
teas, cents per pound, and on coffee, cents
per pound.
Mr.. Kelley objected to the amendment, on
the ground that it was not germane; and his
objection was sustained.
Mr.. Garfield said that his object In Offering
the amendment was to reimburse the Treasury
for what would be taken out. He asserted that
the expenses OF the government were now far
below the revenue, and we could not afford to
take per cent. out Of the Treasury. He had.
therefore, for this purpose, offered this amehd-
ment.
A vote was then taken, and the bill as report-
ed by the committee was passed.
THE BACK PAY REPEAL BILL.
Mr.. Hale (Me.) called up the bill to repeal the
law for the increase of salaries
Mr.. Cox IN " having obtained the floor said
that he desired to answer the insnuatiOn made
by MIR. Negley and Mr.. Randall the other day,
that ne mad taken all summer to return his back
pay. He quoted from the Globe of February
last to show that he had fought the back pay
bill at every step.
Mr.. Negeley inquired if it was not true that
Mr.. Cox took the money in the first instance?
Mr.. Cox replied ffrmatively.
Mr.. Negky.-When did you take it?
MIR. Cox replied that he took it a day before
Congress adjourned and just before he left for
Florida. He never intended to retain it, but he
did not know exactly how 1t could be covered
in. He appealed to Mr.. Willard (Vt.) to say
whether he had not consu lied with him with ref
erence to the return of the pay before he left for
Florida. He also referred to the fact
that it had been charged that he had
not returned the pay until after the
death OF his predecessor, Mr.. James Brooks
he had read letter showing that he had re-
turned the pay before the death Of Mr.. Brooks.
1t therefore came with an iii grace for men who
had the money In their pockets to call him to
account He (Cox) came here fresh from the
people-more fresh than any other member of
the House; he was as fresh ''as dew-drop on
the rose" Laughter, j and it therefore iii be-
came others who had this money in their pock-
cts to attempt to besmirch him for his action on
this bill.
The House Committee on Banking and Our
rency at their meeting this morning discussed
generally the matters likely to como before