The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-15
Ghe g)ir0illia State cSournaL
THURSDAY EyENG. JAN. Is. 1874.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Yesterdays Proceedings.


WEDNESDAY, January IA.
Scnqte.-Various adverse reports on
private claim bills were made from the
committee on claims, and the bills were
indefinitely postponed.
The unfinished business, being the
RESOLUTION ON THE FINANCES,
was taken Up, on which Mr.. Schurz was
entitled to the floor.
Mr.. Schurz said the plain issue TO be
met was the resumption or imitation. He
maintained that It was well understood
when they were issued that the govern
ment would redeem its notes in gold on
demand as soon as it was relieved OF the
exigencies Of the war. To assume that the
government was to use its own pleasure
in redeeming these notes was most dam
gerous doctrine, and in private transactions
It would be called dishonorable. 1t was
putting in plea for contingent repudia-
ton. The time to pay must only be
measured by the ability Of the government.
He expressed great surprise at the position
assumed by Mr.. Boutwell, on this subject,
that it was matter to be de-
termined by the pleasure of the
government. 1t was the duty of the gov
eminent TO redeem its promises at the very
moment it was able, and any other doc
trne. no matter under what guise, was
reputation. He then proceeded to dis
cuss the various plans in regard to the
finances submitted. He dissented from
the views of Mr.. Morton that the late
panic was the result of accident, and said
that it was caused by extravaganza and the
diversion Of capital from its legitimate OBJ
jects, carried away by greed of gain,
speculation, wild stock gambling by men
desiring TO get rich speedily instead of re-
lying on honest labor, and premature con-
struction of railroads. We have really to-
day nothing TO justify US in any further
increase of the currency, although within
the last few months over twenty millions
more of dishonored promises to pay have
been put forth.
Hoase.--Mr. Rice {Ill.) presented me-
mortal signed by twelve hundred citizens
Of the Northwest, asking for increasing
facilities for transportation between the
Northwest and the Atlantic seaboard. Re.
felred.
Mr.. Stephens (Ga.) as personal expla-
ton, said he was absent from the House
yesterday when the vote on the bill repeal
ing the salary bill was taken. Had he been
present he would have voted no.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Poland (Vt.) from the committee on
revision of the laws, reported bill rela-
tive to the circuit and district courts of the
United States. Accompanying the bill was
report of the codification of laws so far
as they relate to the judicial courts Of the
United States.
The House resolved itself into commit
tee Of the whole, and resumed the consid-
Grafton Of the naval appropriation bill.
Mr. Randall (Pa.) offered an amendment
to the naval appropriation bill, declaring it
to be a misdemeanor, to be punished by
line of not less than 81 900 nor more than
$4,000, for any executive officer of the
government to make any contract for an
amount in excess of the amount appro.
ptiated for specific object.
Mr.. Willard (Va.j Endorsed the amend
ment as step in the right direction.
Mr.. Butler (Mass.) believed that the
amendment was a good one, but the trou-
bic was that Congress itself violated the
laws. For instance, in the matter Of pub
lie buildings Congress would put on a
limitation, and then at the next session an
additional amount would be appropriated.
Mr.. Dawes (Mass.) concurred in Mr..
Buffers remarks. He did not wish to be
understood as rejecting upon the supervis-
ing architect of the treasury, but it was
his fault that these heavy additional appro-
priations were made. He thought Mr..
Mullet a most accomplished architect, and
he believed an honest one but he was the
most extravagant architect that he (Mr.
Dawes had ever known.
Mr.. Beck alluded to the fact that, while
the limitation upon the Boston custom.
house was Sl,500,000, it had cost already
So 100000, and that while the New York
postofIice was limited to SO, 000,0 900, it had
cost already $6,000,0o0.
Mr.. Platt (Va) contended that if the
New York postoflice cost good deal of
money, it was yet the cheapest building
that had ever been erected in this country.
AS to Mr.. Mulett, he accomplished more
work than any architect he had ever
known. He charged that under Republic
can administration there had been more
economy than under Democratic COM
mission in New York.
Mr.. Beck admitted that there were Demo-
Gratis in New York who spent good deal
of money. He. never could tell how it
was spent, but he called attention to the
fact that these men were in the penitentia-
ry. lf the Republicans would send their
robbers there the country would be better
off.
THE SALARY BILL.
Pending further consideration the COM
mittee rose, and the House took up the
Senate amendment to the salary bill.
The amendment of the Senate was con-
cnIred in by vote Of 226 yeas to % nays.
Those voting in the negative were Messrs.
Albert. Ayerill, Barry, Clymer, Cox,
Grassland, Hays, Hynes, Kelley, Kendall,
lamison, Morey, Negley, Plat of Virginia,
Randall, Shanks, Sloss, Standeford, Storm,
Stowell. Todd, Waddell, White, Whitley,
aud Williams of Indana825.
The House then adjourned.