National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-21
CONGRESS- YESTERDAY.

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mated yesterday in q personal explanation
from both gentlemen, which made due rep
aration for any personal injuries given and
rendered an apology to an insulted House.
While every one was anxious to see happy
termination to what seemed an inevitable
personal hostility, still 'the order of the
| day" came as q welcome relief, and the
District was the prominent figure of the ses-
sion. The first bill reported was the North
o street and South Washington railroad bill,
framed in the usual manner, and intended
to meet the wants of section now practi
cally barred from street carriage facilities.
But the petty malice of those individuals
who think applause will follow an onslaught
on this city induced an attempt to
cast obstacles in the way Of even private
incorporation act Points of order and va
rious dilatory motions were brought for
ward to prevent or delay the passage
of the bill, but they were without
effect, for an impartial presiding officer
overruled the first and a liberal minded
House voted down the second. An amend
ment introduced by the committee makes
a material change in the first part of the
route. 1t was at first intended to turn up
Indiana avenue from First street and thence
up Third street west, but the complaints of
property holders on the latter street in
duced continuation of the line up First
street to Massachusetts, avenue, and thence
on the course at first mapped out. The next
bill was one authorizing the Washington
City and Point Lookout railroad to bridge
the Eastern Branch, and to continue their
Line through South Washington to o point |
above navigation on the Potomac, where it
isproposed to construct another bridge to
gain an outlet to the South. This measure
increased the hostility of those members
friendly to existing lines, and thereby many
propositions were interposed to prevent
final action. Although the debate was
spirited, the good humor and sim
plicity of Mr.. Rice, of Illinois, who had
the bill in charge, prevented any unseemly
or boisterous conduct. He early moved
the previous question. and when appealed
to for its withdrawal he stated that he had |
no objection, but that the usual fashion
was to urge the previous question, and he
wanted to be in the style" But when the |
bill was open to debate he made an effective
speech, marked for its business sagacity and
insinuating good humor. Indeed, it was
not improbable, had vote been reached,
that the bill would have passed. as the man
agement of Mr. Rice was without fault |
when the ultimate results worked out are
the standard of measure. But united op-
position was able to obstruct action, and as
the tendency was to illibuster, q motion to
adjourn prevailed, leaving the bill to come
up as unfinished business to-day.
The action of the Senate on the financial |
resolutions under consideration indicates
pretty clearly that the expansionists have
working majority in that body. After
voting down several propositions looking
to the over-instruction of the Finance Com
mittee, return was effected to the amend
ment of Mr.. Merrimon, and 1t was adopted
by vote of % yeas to % nays. This
amendment instructs the committee to bring
in bill increasing the national bank circu-
lation to four hundred million dollars, and
is the first step in the policy to expand the
currency nearly, if not quite, one hundred
million dollars. 1t was endeavored to at
tach free banking amendment to this but
it failed of success. While the vote on the
Merrimon proposition may be taken as the
absolute intention of the Senate to give
'.more money" still the entire days pro.
ceedings show contrariety Of opinion and
q lack of stable thought among those who
are eagerly awaiting reduction in the price
of currency. The termination of the strug-
gle was brought about by the announce.
ment that Mr.. Schurz had lengthy speech
intended for delivery, which is q shining
exemplification of the power Of one man
tn susnend final action by the entire body.