Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-19
Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, d. c., March IS.

| independence, was referred to the Committee
on Revolutionary Claims.
| The bill to restore the rights Of Louisiana
was laid over.
The chair announced to the Senate that it
would resume consideration of the bill to
equalize the distribution of the currency that
being the unfinished business.
Mr.. West moved that all pending and prior
orders be laid aside and the Senate proceed
with the consideration of the army appropri-
alton bill.
MIR. Logan said some arraD cement shot ID
be made about the financial question. The
way OF taking it up from day to day and TAX
ing up other matters was rather strange pro :.
ceeding.
Mr.. Sherman said he would oppose any
motion to postpone the financial question.
The whole country is suffering on account of
the delay already occas Toned and there is a
universal cutlery that congress should do
something. He had received letters from diff.
ferent parts of the country complaining Of
congress so long delaying. The merchants
were declining to buy their goods for fear the
action of congress might depreciate their val
ues. No vote could be reached to- day, as Is
or 20 senators were absent, but he thought it
advisable to allow the Finance Committee to
have three or four days to pass upon the
whole subject before taking any vote Though
lie would make no motion to that effect, it
would probably expediate business if the mat
ter should be referred now and discussed
again after the committee had reported. He
trusted that the Senate would not hear a long
speech one day and then postpone the SUBJ
Ject or confine itself to one speech day, but
sit it out and dispose Of the question some
how in a few days.
Mr.. Hamilton said the discussion on this
subject had been very long and the Senate
owed it to itself and the country that action
be had. In his opinion, the discussion had
legislatively been carried to n extent which
was criminal. lie received letters daily en-
quiring when congress would take some ac-
ton. If a resolution should be passed de-
claring that congress would do nothing with
the finances, the effect would be good, be-
cause the country would know what to expect
and how to shape business.
Mr.. Chandler suggested that when the bill
came up again, after speeches already pre-
pared had been delivered, it should be debat-
ed under the five minute rule until disposed
of.
Mr.. West though it advisable to devote
three days to further discussion of the f.
nancial question and at the conclusion of the
third day to take a vote.
Mr.. Ferry of Mich. did not want to take
advantage of the absence Of senators to Iro-
pose any agreement, but thought if the dis
cussion should be resumed say Monday for
two or three days, the Senate could be made
to sit it out at the end Of the second or third
day
Mr.. Sherman submitted an order that after
the passage of the arRy bill the financial
question shall be pressed to final vote, two
days being allowed for general debate and
after that speeches not to exceed ten minutes
each.
Mr.. Thurman said that before the discus
sion should be ended he would ask the indul-
gence of the Senate to submit his views,
though he would prefer to wait until the COM
mittee should report. Without intending any
disrespect to any one, he thought the discus
sion already had been a useless consumption
Of time. He favored an agreement 20 take a
vote on Friday or Monday next and had no
doubt if the Senate would sit it ont vote
could be reached before midnight
Mr.. Morrill, of Me. inquired if it be agreed
that the vote be taken Friday or Monday
what would be done in the meantime.
Mr.. Thurman. AS for myself, l will go
and discharge the duties on the investigating
committee, imposed upon me by the Senate;
but if the Senator wants to know what the
Senate will do, think l may say, judging
from the light of past experience, that it will
talk. (Laughter) He objected to the pres
ent consideration Of the order submitted by
his colleague.
Mr.. Stevenson opposed any postponement
Of the financial discussion, believing that
such action would only serve to prolong the
debate and it would be only waste of time
to lay aside the financial question to take up
anything else. He regarded the financial
question the most important before the Sen
ate.
NJ of
ment of the financial question to allow the
consideration Of any other bills.
The order submitted by Mr.. Sherman hav-
ing been objected to was laid over until to-
morrow.
Mr. West said as the Senate had manifest
ed disposition to continue the financial dis
cussion, he would withdraw his motion to take
up the army BILL for the present
Mr.. Dennis from the Committee on Com
merce, reported without amendment the
House bill amendatory of the act to prevent
the determination of fur bearing animals in
Alaska. Placed on the calendar.
The bill to equalize the distribution of the
currency was taken up.
Mr.. Davis of West Virginia addressed the
Senate He reviewed the financial history
of the country and national banking system
and expressed his conviction that the remedy
for the present evils was in the transfer of
banking capital from New England to the
South and West, and not imitation. If there
must be an increase, however, let it be in
greenbacks, and not in bank notes. If the
transfer of banking capital could not be made
he would favor an increase in greenbacks to
meet the wants of the West and South.
No one else being ready to speak, Mr..
West moved the bill be laid aside informally
al d The Sena proceed to the consideration Of
the army appropriation bill. Agreed to. with
the understanding that the financial question
be resumed tomorrow.
Mr.. West then explained the provisions of
the army bill, saying that the total amount
appropriated for the support of the army dur
ing the present fiscal year was 3l,79G, 900.
The original estimates for the next fiscal
year were $34, 5i3 900, but under the revised
estimates they were reduced to $34,2lS, 900.
The House had voted for $2S, 3Ol ,9l6. The
Senate Committee on appropriations had re.
duced this amount TO S27, 733, 800, or $1,000
800 less than the amount appropriated for
the present fiscal year. The rsdutt on was
mainly due to the the curtailment of the ar
my from 10000 to 25,C00 men.
The bill was then read and nearly al the
first section was agreed to as reported by the
committee, the amendments all being con
c,rred in Tho most imnnrtaut of Tho com-