Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-22
Expenditures.

Expenditures.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on
Printing, reported back a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, in re-
gard TO the annual expenditures of that de-
partment, with the Recommendation that it
should not be printed ON account of being
yoluminous.
Mr.. Stewart thought the document should
be printed, as it would disseminate much
information as to Indian expenditures.
The subject was re-committed.
Alcoholic.
Mr.. Wright, from the Finance Commit
tee, reported back a bill providing for the
appointment of Il commission to investi-
gate as to the manufacture and sale of al
cohOlc liquors, with an amendment rs a
substitute, ard recommended that it be
passed. 1t was placed on the calendar.
Consideration was resumed Of the reSOlu-
tion reported by the Finance Committee
declaring it to be the duty of Congress to
adopt measures 20 redeem the pledge of the
public faith and furnish a currency of uni
form value always, redeemable in gold or
its equivalent.
The North Carolina Senator.
Mr.. Merrimon favored the immediate re-
sumption Of specie payments, and hoped
that glorious event would transpire July 4,
1876. Let every dollar of greenbacks be
redeemed in gold then. In the meantime,
let the volume Of the currency be increased
at least one hundred millions. He spoke
of the unequal distribution OF the currency
and the pressing needs of the South on ac-
count thereof.
Mr.. Sherman said that the Comptroller of
The Currency had authority now TO with
draw twenty-five millions from New Eng
land and give it to the Southern and West
ern States which have not their proper pro-
portion.
Edmunds-IOw long would il stay there?
Sheman-That is another question.
Mr.. MeTimon said: In reply to the
Senator from Vermont (Edmunds) he
would say, if the money was South, it
would go back very slowly, if the banks of
New y ork and New England did not offer
interest for it. As those States pay interest
the money gees there. He denied that the
currency was redundant as compared with
the circulation of France and England. He
would like to see Congress grant charter
for
A Great National Bank,
with a capital of one hundred millions, in
shares of twenty-five dollars each, so the
whole people could have stock in it. Sec
tiOnal interests had once come near destroy
ing the government, and unless Congress
does something to produce an equilibrium
in industries, more trouble will be the re-
suit.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired if the gentleman
believed Congress could produce this equi-
librium. Could it say how many factories
there should be?
Mr.. MerTimon said Congress could i'm
prove the harbOrs and rivers of the West,
open up the advantages of the country, and
ship building and thousands Of other things
could be done produce such equilibrium.
But while We 90 on with this sectional
legislation, California with one interest,
New England with another, the South with
another, and when they come in conflict
| the result will be
a Clash of Arms.
They did it once, and would DO it again.
The debate continued between Merri-
mon and Edwards until 3:15, when the
Senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned.