Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
Legislation on National Finances.
The One.Man Power of Boutwell,:

The One.Man Power of Boutwell,
Senate Kills the Australian Subsidy
House Resolves Against the Goai
Island Grab.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a bill has beer
passed removing the disabilities of A. B
Hardcastle, of Mississippi.
Petitions were presented from leading
business men of New York against the re-
| peal of the bankrupt law.
The New Arkansas senator.
Mr.. Clayton presented the credentials O
Senator elect Dorsey.
Spanish Grants.
Mr.. Bayard, from the Committee on Phi
vale Land Claims, reported resolution
which was adopted, directing the Secretary
Of State to make inquiry through our Min
lister in Mexico concerning the Mexican re-
cords relating to lands in Arizona and New
Mexico, and the best method and probable
cost of procuring transcripts of the same.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen offered a resolution
to print 255, 900 extra copies of the report
of the Commissioner of Agriculture. Re-
ferred.
One Subsidy Subsidies.
At1 O'Clock, unfinished business-the
Webb Australian Steamship Subsidy bill
came up.
Mr.. Ramsey offered an amendment, pro-
viding that the subsidy shall take effect
from the date of the contract with the Post
master General.
Mr.. Thurman's pending motion to lay
the bill on the table, made for the purpose
of killing the bill, was then agreed to-. Yeas
80, nays 81.
The bill to provide for a United States
public building ct Atlanta, Ga, was passed.
FinanciaI-The Greenback Calf to
whom The Nation BOws-The Al.
mighty Dollar Embodied.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the subSti-
tute reported by the Committee on Fin
ances for Buckingham's banking bill was
taken up. After some debate the third
section of the substitute was amended so
as to make it mandatory upon Banking as
sociations on and after Jan. l, 1874, to re-
deem their notes, at such localities as are
now or may be hereafter designated by
law, either in coin or United States legal
tender notes.
Mr.. SchurZ said that as this bill would
enable everybody to convert his greenbscks
into United States securities it might be
presumed that when money was easy the
amount of greenbacks flowing into the
Treasury for conversion would be very
large. he therefore would ask the Chair
man of the Finance Committee (Sherman)
whether the Secretary of the Treasury with
the permission given by the bill, would not
have it in his power whenever there should
be little stringency to food the market
with these accumulated greenbacks and
thus control the money markets of the
United States.
Mr.. Sherman replied that under existing
laws the Secretary of the Treasury had the
power to do just what Mr.. Schurz feared he
might be able to do under this bill. Indeed
all our laws relating to the Treasury depend
for their value on the fidelity or integrity of
the Secretary of the Treasury. If the Sec
retary choose to do anything harsh 10 pro-
mote his own interess or any other interest,
he has the necessary power.
Mr.. Bayard said that after such an ad-
mission as to the power of the Secretary of
the Treasury, Congress could hardly be too
quick in placing that officer
Under Control OF the Law,
so that the welfare of the country should
no longer be subject to his judgment or
caprice.
Mr.. Sherman said he was in favor of lin
iting the power of the Secretary of the
Treasury so far as the nature of things
would permit. He would be glad to have
some one point out what further limitation
was practicable.
Mr.. Buckingham said that in his judg-
ment there was not provision in the bill
ofthe Committees tending to the resump-
ton of specie payments, and he indicated
some amendments which he would offer at
the proper time.
Mr.. Thurman moved an amendment,
reducing the interest on the bonds to be
exchanged for greenbacks from five to
Two Per Cent.
Mr.. Edmunds reported from the Judic:-
ary Committee an amendment to the bank
rupt bill for the relief of Boston insurance
companies suffering by the late fire, which
passed.
The Senate went into executive session
and aoJourDeQ.
HOUSE.
A large number of bills were introduced
and referred, including the following:
For day of national thanksgiving; rec
ommending the President to communicate
with foreign governments with view to
protecting non-combatants, secure compli-
ance with civilized warfare, encourage
emancipation, and promote peace between
Cuba and Spain.
By MIR. Misunderstanding the Presi-
dent to invite an International Statistical
Congress TO hold its session in this country.
By Mr.. notwithstanding the right of
way thorugh the public lands to the Kansas
and Colorado Company; also to the Atchi-
son, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad.
By Mr.. Rogers-To abolish the tax on
spirits distilled from fruit.
By Mr.. Young-For the removal of dis1-
bilities from all citizens Of the United
States.
Goat Island Goes observation-disclosures
Opposing.
w. r. Roberts offered resolution de-
claring it to be the opinion of the House
that it isnot wise or expedient, or for the
PUBIC lDU6rOSlS Ludb any p<sIb vi OOdt lSlduu
at San Francisco shall be ceded for railroad
purposes.
Mr.. Sargent moved to lay the resolution
on the table. Negatived yeas, II; nays,
102.
While the question on the adoption of
the resolution was pending, Mr.. Sargent
rose to question of order which was that
lobbyists were on the floor abusing the
privileges of the House.
The Speaker said that point of order
was well taken, if the gentleman would
name the persons he referred to.
Mr.. Sargent named D. Q. McRuer, Of
California.
The Speaker remarked that the gentle
man named was an ex-member of Con-
gress, and had a right to the floor.
Mr.. Sargent Certainly, but under a
pledge that he will not abuse the privileges
of the floor in laboring for or against any
pending measure of legislation.
The Speaker said he could not assume
that an ex-member of Congress was acting
illegitimstely.
Mr.. Banks suggested that the question
would have to be examined before an ex-
member of Congress was condemned and