The Portland daily press., 1874-02-14
Forty Third Congress- First Session
SENATE.

The bill restoring Ensign William Kilburn
to the Navy was passed.
Mr., Sargent presented petition of 1868
citizens of California, asking the Senate to have
the treaty with China modified so as to prevent
an influx of Cinnamon to this country. Mr..
Sargent favored the petition and in the re-
marks relative to the habits and customs of the
Chinee in California, he said that out of one
hundred thousand, not one has yet applied for
naturalization.
Mr.. Hamlin reported adversely on the amend
ment to the rules, saying that no Senator could
now be interrupted unless by his own consent.
The Committee were discharged.
A resolution was offered few days ago by
Mr.. Bayard calling on the President to i3form
the Senate as to the conditions of Major Lewis
Merrill, an officer of the army on duty in South
Carolina, was discussed by Messrs. Bayard and
Scott till the morning hour expired, and Mr..
Sherman insisted on the regular order in the
bill to equalize the distribution of currency
Mr.. Merriman of North Carolina said his
substitute of yesterday, having. been prepared
hastily he deemed it expedient to make some
changes in the phraseoiogy and with the per
mission of the Senate he withdrew that and
offered new substitute which provides for the
issue of 5.000,0 900, National Bank Currency,
in addition to that now in circulation to be is
sued to the banks now organized or hereafter to
be organized and distributed to the several
states in accordance with section /, of act July
L. 1870.
Mr.. Salisbury reviewed the general financial
consideration of the country and said the ex-
lenses of the government must be. curtailed.
The people were already taxed too heavily and
have bent their necks to the yoke long enough
He deprecated any increase in volume of the
currency and agreed that such increase would
not relieve the west and south but would seek
the money centres of the country
The question being on Mr.. Wright's amend
ment of yesterday to strike out "twenty-fv
millions" as the amount of currency to be
Withdrawn from those Sta ties having an excess
md GsH ftv y,,iIiiopc
Mr.. Sherman appealed to the Senators to
support the bill as it came from the Committee.
M Gordon. said he with others from, the
south and west believed that New England had
no more currency than she wanted and they
did not want to take away from their New
England friends, but the South and West
should have more. The amendment (Wright's)
ton they did not want to be THAT of taking
money away from New Englandl
Mr. Sherman said there seemed to be an i'm:
preston that this bill would be the last and
would end the financial question as to whether
or not there would be an increase. He assured
the gentlemen that so soon as the Naval ap-
preparation bill (which comes up next) should
be disposed of, he would call up the resolution
from the Finance Committee declaring it to be
the duty of Congress at the present session to
adopt definite measures to redeem the pledge
made in act of March 18th, 1869, for the earli-
est practicable redemption of United States
notes in coin and would press vote on it.
Mr Cameron said he desired to offer an
amendment but was not prepared to do SO now,
and therefore he wished the Senate would ad-
journ. He could not vote for the bill of the
Committee, as it would give no relief, or such
as it would give would be of very temporary
character. 1t was inten led to relieve the pain
of the patient but would result IN death. He
thought the National Banking system would
correct all the evils of the gold banking sys-
tenn. His proposition was to extend the Ma
tional Banking system and take away the
prejudice now existing against it which COM
PEELED it te be called monopoly. Not having
his amendment ready now he moved theSenate
adjourn.
to the consideration of executive basiness.
Mr.. Cameron accepted the amendment
After executive session the Senate adjourned
to Monday.
Mr. Foster of Ohio, from the Ways and
Means Committee, asked leave to offer reso-
luton in reference to the Sanborn Contracts,
directing the Secretary of the Treasury to furn-
ish copies of all the contracts, schedules, cor
respondence and orders of the Department, al
SO statement of the amounts paid in under
each contract, by whom paid and under which
contract
Mr. Butler of Massachusetts,, said that he OBJ
jected when that resolution was offered before.
The effect of it would be to bring before the
who had been accused on ex-parte testimony.
He now withdrew his objection, trusting to
have such discussion as would be necessary on
| the bill to be introduced on that subject.
There being no objection the resolution was
| agreed to.
Mr. Kasson of Indiana, gave notice that he
! would on Monday next, report and ask action
| on the bill restricting the refunding of custom
| duties and prescribing certain regulations for
| the Treasury Department
| The House proceeded to the consideration of
| private bills.
The bill for ascertaning the losses sustained
| by the citizens of Southern Oregon and North
| ern California. by reason of Indian depreda.
tions in 1872 and 1873, provoked quite an ex-
| cited discussion in which Mr.. Shanks of Indi-
| ana, defended the memory of Capt. Jack and
| his Modocs and stated it was fact that when
Gen. Candy was holding his conference with
Capt Jack, the military lines were being closed
around the Modocs.
On the other side of the question, Mr..
Nesmith of Oregon, and MIR. Luthrell of Cali
forna, stood forward as defenders of the from
tiersmen and denuLciators of the Indians.
The bill itself was opposed by Mr.. G.. F.
| that the government is responsible for the re-
ENDORSEMENT of citizens damaged by war:
The same ground was taken by Mr.. Garfield
who argued that the losses resulted either from
private marauders or from public enemies, and
that in neither event could citizens look to the
| government for restitution. If this bill were
| passed it would open the sluces of the treasury
| to claims from Ohio and Indiana arising out
| OF The Morgan raids, and from fennsyiVanIa
arising out of Lees invasion and there would
not be cent left in the treasury.
The principle of this bill was defended by
Mr. Averll VINO had reported it from the Com
mittee on Claims.
Finally on motion of Mr.. Garfield the enact
ing clause was stricken out in Committee of the
Whole 70 to 68. The Committee thereupon
rose and reported its action to the House and it
was concurred in. Yeas los, Nays S5 So the
bill was defeated
The following bills were passed:-For the re-
lief Of the heirs of Aubury Dickens, George
s. Wright, G. 9. Spaids, q. D. McKenney and
also for the relief of the heirs of Seth Lamb.
The House at o'clock adjourned. To-mor-
rows session for debate only.
Indians-MIurder.