The Portland daily press., 1874-04-13
Forty Third Congress-First Session.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON. April II

w WASHINGTON. April II.
The report of the Committee on Elections in
the Kentucky contested election case, declaring
that Young, the sitting member was entitled
to his seat, was agreed to without discussion.
A bill permitting aliens to act as pilots, pro-
vding they have resided in the United States
six months, was passed.
Nun erous private bills were passed.
Mr.. Conger of Mich, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported back the Senate bill ex-
tending the provisions of the act of the 28th of
February 1865, so as to include all vessels of
the United States navigating the waters of the
United States.
The House resumed the consideration of the
currency bill
Mr.. Maynard of Tenn. who has charge of
the bill as chairman of the Banking Commit
tee, declined to allow any amendments to be
offered and voted on, but consented to their
being printe" in the record. He insisted on
the previous question.
Mr.. Holman of Ind, suggested that the
House should certainly have an opportunity to
vote on the question, whether the increase of
currency should be in the form of u S. notes
or of national bank notes. He insisted that it
should be in the first form.
Mr.. Maynard declined to yield to that or apy
other amendment.
The previous question was seconeed by 1O5 to
SO.
The House then refused to ord er the main
question, yeas liz, nays 1880 the bill was
again left open to amendment end discus
sion.
Mr.. Beck of KY, moved as substitute for
the BILL bill introduced by himself on the
Both of March, authorizing the issue of $780,
DOC, 900 of legal tender notes, the retirement of
national bank notes and the substitute there
for of treasury notes and 1865 per cent. con-
vertibe bonds.
Several propositions were made to amend
Mr.. Beck's substitute.
Mr.. Cox raised a point of order that the
members interested in the national bank stock
I.nh0 49, t,Ac of M
proposes to tax, had no right to vote. He
owned bank stock himself.
The Speaker Overruled the point. 1t was a
question that had been frequently and uniform
ly decided. The interest contemplated in the
rule was a special and private one that was on
ly involved in a question of general interest If
the gentleman from New York had conscien
tious scruples about voting the House would
not com ell him to vote. (Laughter)
Mr.. Hunter of Ind. moved two additional
sections to Mr.. Beck's bill, one prohibiting u.s.
ury by banks, and the other permitting taxa
ton of legal tender notes and bank notes like
other property.
Mr.. Packer of Pa, moved an amendment
aboshing all limitation of circulation and es-
tablishing free banking.
the motion to postpone the whole subject was
in order.
The Speaker said it would be if the GENTLE
man from Illinois had the floor to make it.
Mr.. Rice-l wish had
Mr.. Burchard of ILL.,, made point of order
that one section, the 18th, providing for the
payment of one-half of the import duties in
legal tender notes, must first be consi cred in
Committee of the Whole.
The Speaker sustained the point of order on
the ground that the section was not german to
tie original bill which was currency bill, it
would change the customs laws on every i'm
ported article of commerce.
Mr.. Beck of KY, then offered his substitute
with the 18th section struck out
Mr.. Kellogg of Conn.,, made another point of
order on the 9Th section, taxing bank notes 8
per cent.
The Speaker overruled that point of order on
the ground that that section was german to
the bill and might have been offered as an
amendment
Mr.. Beck then moved the previous question,
Seconded by "a to TO-
The first vote was taken on the amendment
offere by Mr.. Coburn, limiting the permanent
issue of U. s. notes to $400, 100000 with $780,
600, 900 for reserve. 1t was rejected without the
yeas and nays.
The next vote was on Mr.. Hunters amend
ment and that was rejected without the yeas
and nays.
The next vote was on Mr.. Packers amend
ment in the nature of substitute for Mr..
Beck's bill, abolshing limitations on the cur
runcy, and establishing free banking. On a
standing vote the amendment appeared to be
carried s. to As. The votes Were then taken
by yeas and nays and the vote resulted, yeas II
nays 149.
The question then required on Mr.. Beck's
substitute. Judging by the sound it was badly
defeated. The vote was then taken by yeas
and nays, and resulted in yeas SO, nays l64-so
Mr.. Beck's substitute was rejected.
Pending the vote, Mr.. Speer of Penn, made
point of order that Mr.. Poland of VT, and
Messrs. Phelps and Hamilton af n j., being
Presidents and directors of national bank s, had
no right to vo e on a bill which imposed a tax
on national banks. They had already voted in
the negative.
Mr.. Cox had SON ething to say on the same
subject and wanted the question decided as he
held bank stock
Mr.. Butler wanted to know whether the
number of members interested operated to take
the individual out of the rule.
Mr.. E. r Hoar wanted to know how the case
was different from the tax on gold watches
and silver plate.
Mr Dawes suggested that when a member be-
longed to class of the community which might
be Effected by legislation, the rule was that he
should be permitted to vote The holders of
bank stock was no more interested in this ques-
ton than the holder of stock in manufacturing
companies was interested in the question which
imposed duty on foreign manufactures.
Mr.. Cox remarked that he had been almost
uniformly alone among the various members