Connecticut western news., 1874-03-13
XLIIId CONGRESS.
SENATE.

The currency bill being under discussion Mr. Schurz spoke at length in favor of specie resumption. MT. Morton, of Indiana, in reply ing said our currency was the best the world ever saw of it's kind. He argued that specie payments could not be maintained now as we owe about $1 300, ,000, 900 in Europe, $500, ,OO0,- 900 in Government bonds, and $400 GOO, ,000 in railroad and other securities. The interest on these bonds had to be paid in gold, thus drain ing the country of $60. ,000 of $7O, ,O0O, GOO every year. Russia had her bonds held in England Germany and France, an1 was an nually drained of her gold to pay the interest thereon. The result was that Russia had suspended specie payment for years so with Austria and so with Italy, and all those coun- tries are now in 8 state of suspension and must continue so for some time. This country is in the same condition and must remain so. Under the present currency the country had pros pered more than it ever did before, and the system would admit Of expansion or the cur rency when necessary.
 The Senate considered the bill to provide for the appointment of commission on the sub feet of the alcoholic liquor traffic. Schurz, of Mo-, spoke against legislative action, and Buckingham, of Conn.,, in favor of it. Flanagan, of Texas, said so far he was concerned he had no hesitancy in announcing it as his belief that Congress had the ability to legislate on the subject. The Constitution gave Congress abundant authority to do so. Such legislation would be for the welfare of the whole nation.
 During & speech on the currency question, schurz. of Mo-, was called to order by the Chair for reflection made on Morton, of Ind. Morton said in his remarks that Schurz was a foreigner and did not understand the finan- cia1 questions of the United States. In apolo- gizng Schurz said: Does the Senator say that his words were in PickwicEian sense! Then say used mine in Pickwickian sense also
 The naval appropriation bill as it goes from the Senate back to the House, increases the appropriation for the equipment of vessels from $1, 100, ,0OO to $1, 250 0O0 that for provis- ions for officers seamen, and marines is in creased from $1 ,300 900 to $1 1852 600; that for repairs and preservation of boilers and ma chinery is increased from $1 500, ,000 to $1, 865, 900. The contingent expenses of the Naval Academy are fixed to $46, 500, instead of $30,- OOO Twenty thousand dollars are appropriated for the contingent expenses Of the Marine Corps instead $15,000.
 The bill to provide for tho appointment of a commission in regard to the alcoholic liquor traffic was taken up. Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, opposed the passage of the bill on the ground that the Federal Government would be inter fering in matters within the jurisdiction of the States. MT. Flanagan, of Texas, favored the bill, and spoke of the evil effects of intoxicat- ing liquors. He believed the use of alcoholic liquors was the cause of the split between the North and the South.
 MT. Scott, of Pennsylvania presented peti- tion of workingmen of Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan against any increase in taxation. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
 MT. sherman. of Ohio, from the Finance Committee, reported faverably on the House bill in relation to import duties on fruit, being the bill to correct an error in the late Tariff bill, which was passed.
 MT. Oglesby, of Illinois, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported favorably the House bill extending the time for the com pletion of the Green Bay and Lake Michigan Canal, and it was passed.
 Mir. Bayard, of Delaware, from the Finance Noronnittaa reDorted a reaolution diractinp the Secretary of the Treasury to inform the Senate what, if any, additional legislation is required to prevent defalcatiOns by officers receiving and disposing of United States revenue stamps and public money.
 Mir. Banning, of Ohio, presented petition to have the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln s birthday declared public holiday.
 A report from the Secretary of the Treasury informed tn 0 House that the proceeds of the sales of captured and abandoned property amounted to $20, 910,656.
 Mir. Tyner of Ind, introduced bill to relieve all persons engaged in the military service at the close of the war from the disability of desertion on account of absence without leave.
 MT. Mellish, of N. Y., gave notice of a sub stitute for the postage bill reducing the rate of letter postage to two cents per ounce and the postage on printed matter to half cent per two ounces.
 MT. Albright of Penn., spoke in favor of the postage bill of the Committee, showing that since 1792 certain rights were accorded to the newspaper press. and that at the time the franking privilege was repealed there was no demand for it so far as relates to the news papers. He showed the legislative history upon this subject, and that in 1845 the daily press was accorded this right, as given by the com mittee.
 Mir. Townsend, of Penn., gave notice of an amendment to. make the free distribution of weolIy Iybn published apply to all newspapers in all sec tions
 Mr. Small, of N. H. presented resolutions of the New Hampshire Press Association for the restoration of the law allowing weekly newspa- pers free transmission through the mails in the county Of their publication. Also, resolutions declaring hostility to any action that may re- suit, directly or indirectly, in the restoration of the abuses of the franking privilege.
 Mr. Cobb, of Kan, criticised speech of MT. Phelps, of New Jersey, as to his allusions to the Changers. He declared that these Changers meant business; that they were the movable force of twenty millions of freemen; that it was foolish to array against them the blanks of the Philadelphia or any other platform, and that they would have justice inside tho Repub- lcan party if they could, outside if they must
 MT. Lawrence, of Ohio, declared himself in favor of the section of the bill providing for the free transmission of weekly newspapers The same principle which justified the support Of common schools at the public expense also justified the free circulation of newspapers and periodicals within appropriate limits. Common schools, the press, and the public addresses of every man were the great moral and political instructors of the people. He knew no reason, however, why documents should be printed at the expense of all tho people and distributed among few. Mellish, of N. Y, and Butler, of Mass, approved the newspaper exemption section.
 MT. Tyner, of Indiana, moved to reconsider the vote of the House by which the bill re- viving the franking privilege was rejected He said he would call it up when the members were more generally in their seats, and that his object was to move to recommit tho bill to the Post Office Committee with instructions to report back the third section only, which relates to the free circulation of weekly newspapers in the counties of their publication, and the free exchange of newspapers between publishers.