National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-17
OON0RESS YFsTERDAY


The financial discussion. resumed in TIT
Senste yesterday, promised another tedious
day, until the scene was enivened by
unique and characteristic speech from Sen
ator Flanagan, Of Texas. Earlier in ths
day Senator Kelly. of. Oregon, presented
memorial in which the stale stacks on Sen
ator Mitchell are Ichabilitatcd. and meas
ure of sensation attempted by the demand
for smother investigation. Coming. as tht
memorial does. from Oregon, Mr.. Kelly
could not refuse the courtesy of its intro
ducticn. but at the same time he performed
the duty pleasantly. and paid a just compli
ment to his colleague, whom the independ
ent press has 50 anjustly assailed. 1t was
referred TO the Committee on Privileges
and Elections, where it is likely 10 remain,
IS the Senate is little disposed to investigate
. domestic quarrel merely for the purpose
OF making another scramble over the Ore.
gon Senatoship. When the finances were
Tin order" Senator Cameron delivered q
lengthy and able speech in favor Is free
banking, which he deemed the only panacea
for the present Ills now available, and Ger
tain TO be exempt from danger In the fl
:ure. Although the speech was . clear
presentation of the views suggested by the
amendment offered, the Senate was not
aroused to the point where real interest is
exhibited, for long ard elaborate discus
sion has satiated each member with none
tary problems. Blu, the era of undivided
attention s.hand, for lr. Flanagan, Of
Texas. proved that even the prosy subject
Of finance could be so manipulated as to af.
ford enjoyment and hearty laughter. 1nac-
cordance with his usual custom, Mr.. Flana-
gan exemp!ifed the various positions as
sumed with pungent anecdotes, which not
only directed the mind 10 the point Of argu-
ment, but also gave opportunity for relax
alton of the strain OF thought that usually
accompanies financial addresses. Among
the novel propositions enunciated was one
which looks to the purchase by the Gov
eminent of the cotton crop of the Southern
States, which the Senator thought would
greatly tend to relieve the monetary depres-
sion in that section, and at the same time
give an ample supply of the circulating
medium" This of course furnished fuel
for systematic elaboration of the various
grades of cotton, and thereby the entertain
ment was made instructive as well as sug-
gestive. But an adjournment was reached
with the final disposition of the proposed
remedies. and they consequently only form
a minute portion of the illimilable financial
world.
Bill day in the House was, as usual, pro-
life in incipient legislation. But the fea-
turc of the day was a measure, introduced
by Mr.. Kelley. Of Pennsylvania. intended
to give eclat to our centennial birthday by
an informal meeting of Congress in Phila-
delphia in September next on the day that
the first Continental Congress assembled.
1t was not anticipated that any general legis-
lation should cnsue. but only special ses-
sion, given up to misunderstanding
after the style of the present Saturday meet
ing. In bringing forward the resolution
MIR. Kelley paid glowing tribute TO the
had an especial interest in Congress once
more making Independence Hall ring with
he eloquence of modern days. and by way
IF interlude several Southern members were
lllowed to close the gap occasioncd by des-
,erate battle, and contribute to the era of
general good feeling, SO requisite when
celebration of peace and contentment is at
iand. But tine House. with more parlia-
nentary sagacity than patriotic inclination,
lesitated ere it made Congress q peraEnbu-
ating body, and the motion to suspend the
'ules failed of the necessary support. Still
here is no reason why the meeting should
rot he held, members, of course, participant
ng in an individual capacity. shorn Of all
,fticial prestige-thus atiording chance for
. citizen demonstration. which will elicit
more unanimous approva! than the shad-
IVY spectacle of mock Congress usurping
he position of an iliustrious dead