The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-10
THE CURRENCY BILL.
The Debate in the Senate.

In the United States Senate, on the 9th
inst, the struggle over the Currency bill
which has been going on for the last three
months came to an end.
The bill having been considered in the
Committee Of the Whole, it was then report
ed to the Senate: the question being: Will
the Senate agree to the bill rs agreed upon
by the Committee of the Whole?
Mr.. Conkling, (Rep., N. W said the bill
proposed to put out and keep out the whole
forty-fOur million reserve. 1t proposed to
put out and keep out irreteemable bank
paper. Temporary relief might come from
it, bat it would only smooth the way to dis
aster and distress hereafter. Such policy
spurned the experience of every epoch Of
history, and trampled upon and violated the
faith Of the nation. Every department Of
the Government was pledged to redeem this
paper, besides the declarations of the ma
tional conventions of that political party
which chose most of the Senators upon this
floor, as well as the Chief Magistrate of the
nation, who was also pledged against this
policy.
Messrs Stewart (Rep., New and Anthony
Rep., r. ~ protested against the passage
of the bill.
Mr.. Thurman Dem, Ohie) said: After
four months deliberation, the dominant
party in this Senate, in disregard of the
recommendations of the Chief Magistrate,
in disregard Of the recommendation of the
Secretary OF the Treasury, and in utter
contempt Of the experienced Finance Com
mittee, had adopted measure proposed by
one Of the minority. The great Repub-
lean party had adopted the measure of a
Democrat. He (Mr. Thurman) could take
no credit in this triumph which his Demo-
cratic friend from North Carolina (Mr. Mer-
rirmon) had achieved. After all their dis
cussion. it was reserved for the pine woods
of North Carolina to shape the financial
destines of this country. He (Mr. Thur
NAM believed it would disband the Repnb-
lcan party, though he could not say the
one to which he belonged was very solid on
this question. Laughter.] The action of
the Senate to-day simply meant that no
man of his age would ever again see in this
country the money referred to by our fore
fathers and the trainers of our Constitu-
ton.
Mr.. Sargent (Rep., CALI said he relied
upon another department of the Govern
ment to set right the wrong which had been
done here. This Administration had been
elected upon a pledge contrary to this bill.
He Sargent believed there were men enough
in the East and West to see any party per-
ish, who attempted to flood the country with
irredeemable paper currency.
Mr.. s.. hurz Glib Rep, NO. said he felt
Inundated as an American citizen at the ac
ton OF to-day The gentlemen who favored
the bill might think themselves benefited,
but the day was not far distant when they
would curse the hour they gave such vote.
The day was not far Oft when the people
would recover their senses and save them
| selves from these statesmen, who would lead
the country to ruin.
Mr.. Carpenter {Rep., Wis., said he only
arose to say that those upon his side hal
agreed among themselves to remain silent,
IN order that there might be vote. They
had resolved to say nothing, and when
smitten upon one cheek to turn the other.
Mr.. Flanagan (Rep., Tex.) hoped the bill
would be vetoed, and said such action on
the part of the President would but add to
his great fame.
Mr. Norton (Rep., Ind) said thore would
be an opportunity to reply to these most
extraordinary speeches, and he wOnld avail
himself Of it; but for the present be would
| fOrbear.