Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.-.sECON
sEssIOV.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.

WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
MIR. Pratt, of Ind, submitted a resolution
instrueting the committee on pensions to
inquire into the propriety Of reporting a
bill placing on the pension roll at the rate
of eight dollars per month the surviving
soldiers of the Indian war of 1911, also,
widows. of such as are dead, who were
married before the first day of January, 25 !;
agreed to.
Pending the question on the district bill,
being on motion of Mr.. Morton, to provide
for the election of commissioners by the
qualified voters of the district instead of
having them appointed by the President,
Mr. Merrimon spoke in opposition to
it, and entered into lengthy argu-
ment as to the powers of the federal
government over the District of Co.
lnmbia. lie opposed suffrage in the
district, it being under exclusive control
of Congress lie said he did not oppose
the amendment because it conferred suf-
| frage upon blackman here. Ia his own
| State where the Democrats had control
the two races lived in harmony and the
| blackmen had all the rights Of white men.
| In reply to a question of Mr.. Sargent, of
Cal, he said the recent proceedings in Mis-
sissippi, Arkansas and Louisiana were due
to misIule, and without a parallel.
Mr.. Sherman, of o., moved that the
pending bill to provide better government
Tor the District of Columbia be laid aside,
ard that the Senate proceed to the c0nsid-
Grafton of the bill to provide for the resump-
ton of specie payments; agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman said he did not in tend to
reopen the debate on the finance topics of
| last session. The Senate was composed of
the Same persons now, and it was Idle to
reopen it. 1t was now less than three
months from the time of adjournment and
there was n general feeling that Congress
| should do something. lie desired to say to
the Senate that every word-eyery line of
| this bill tended towards the announcement
in its title. The bill might fall short in many
| particulars, but it was one which demands
reasonable concessions from every Senator.
! He then explained the various provisions
Of the bill, and said the first section provi
ding for the redemption of the fractional
currency with coin met the 40 oroval of both
| the Secretary of the Treasury nd the Pres
dent. The second section which repealed
the law making a charge OF one fifth of one
per cent. for converting standa I'd gold bull
lion into coin required sacrifice on the
part of the government to the extent Of
! $50. 600 per nnnum. that being tie amount
/ levied last year upon those who bought
gold bullion to be made into coin. The
( third section Of the bill provided for free
! banking. Under the present law banking
/ il virtually free in some Of the Western and
! Southern States, but In the great CONNER
/ cial centres OF the country it was not free.
/ This free banking section, therefore,
/ provided for the enlargement Of the vol
ume of the currency in case the bust
ness Of the country demanded it. |, also
I proposed TO redeem United States notes to
/ the extent of 80 per cent. Of the amount of
/ the new bank notes issued The section
/ did not propose either contraction or eX
/ papsiOn of the currency leaving 1t to be
| governed By the business wants of the com
munity. The bill also provided ample
means to maintain and provide for specie
/ resumption. and no senator could d0ubt
/ that 0i the bill became Law specie pay
mcnts would be resumed on the first Of Jan
uarY, 1879. II efforts should be made by
Senators to cngratt other questions on this
bill they would lead to is defeat. lie re-
viewed the several plans for specie resuAp-
ton heretofore considered by the Senate,
and said he had been compelled To suTren-
der his ideas in regard TO resumption.
The bill was discussed at length by Mr..
Sherman and Mr. Schurz.
Mr.. Bogy moved to amend the amend
ment by striking out ali after the word,
that, in the first line. and inserti y in
lieu thereof. q proviso that on and after
July IL. ISIS, duties On imports to be paid
IN the legal tender notes or coin at the
option Of the importer rejected.
Mr.. Salisbury novel u strike ont $50
and substitute 81, as the time or q return
to specie payment rejected.
Mr.. Stevenson, Of Ky, was opposed 20
the bill reported by the committee, because
in voting i1r il ne would not know whether
he was voting for contraction or expansion.
lie was unwilling u leave tin the power
Of any secretary Of the treasury TO expand
I the currency 1t his pleasure. lie had great
faith in the honesty and good faith OF the
pTesca; secretary Of the treasury, but would
not leave such power in the hands Of any
secretary either republican or democrat
Mr. Schurz said he would vote Tor the
bill in spike Of all its defects. lie wOul1
vote for It because it confined q
pledge 10 return To specie payment in $50,
and the members Of this body Oti ~ Tor the
bill would do all in their power TO make that
pledge good. lie dId not think all the imam
cial ability Of America was confined within
the walls of this chamber. and he predicted
to-day that the financial minis OF the
country would say thar the provisions o!
the bill were inadequate 70 carry out the
proposition named IN its title. lie moved
that the bill be rec0mmitiei to the com
mittce on finance. with Instructions to IN
corporate in it such provisions a. are cal
culated u prepare the way t1- specie pay
mcnt; rejected.
Alr. Schurz then moved toamend section
three Of the bill 50 as,to provide tina: not les
than two million dollars IN legal tender
notes sha. be retired monthly ny the See
rotary OF the Treasury. and the lega! ten
ders 50 retired shall be cancelled and de-
stroyei rejected
iitor some further discussion the bill
was read the third time and passet-32 =
II
Mr. Elmunl- called up the ioint resolu-
ton from the House for holiday recess, L
have it put upon T. pas-lg but objection
was made BY NJ. West, and it went over
till tomorrow.
The Senate then proceeded to the consld
Grafton Of executive business, and at 4.
the doors were opened and the Senate adj
journei.