The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-27
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. q.

speeches not actually delivered in the senate |
or house of represen satives.
The senate then resumed the consideration |
Of the resolution reported by the finance
COMMITTEES, declaring it to lie the duty OF
congress to adopt measures to redeem the |
pledge of public faith, and furnish curren- |
cy OF uniform value, always reGeemable in |
gold or its equivalent, and Mr.. Merrimon ad |
dressed the senate. He favored immediate |
resumption of specie payment. and hoped
that the glorious event would transpire July
4, 1876. Let every dollar in greenbacks be
redeemed in gold then. In the meantime let
the volume of currency be increased at least
one hundred millions. He spoke of the I'M
equal distribution OF currency and the press
ing needs of the south On account thereof.
Mr.. Sherman said the comptroller of eur
rency had authority now to withdraw S25,-
000, 900 from New England and give it to the
south and west, or the states which have not
their proper proportion.
Mr.. Ednunds. How long would it stay
theref
Mr.. Sherman. That Is another question.
Mr.. Meirimon said in reply to the senator
| from Vermont (Edmunds) that he would say
if the money was south it would go back
very slowly, if the banks of New York and
| New England did not offer interest for it.
AS those states pay interest, money goes
there. He said that currency was redun-
dant as compared with the circula-
| ton OF France and England. He would
like to see congress grant charter
for great national bank with a capital of
500, 0O0, go in shares of S25 each, so the whole
people could have stock in it. Sectional in
terests had once come near destroying the
government, and unless congress does
something 10 produce an equilibrium in in
dustries, more trouble would result.
Mr.. EdnuDds inquired if the gentleman
believed congress could. produce this equi-
librium. Could it say how many factories
! there ShO1ld be and where located.
Mr.. Merrimon said that il congress could
improve the harbors and rivers of the west,
open up the natural advantages Of the coun-
try, encourage shipbuilding, thousands OF
other things could be done to produce an
equilibrium, but while we so on with this
sectional legislation, California with one in
terest, New England with another. the South
with another, and when they come in con-
| f1ict the result will be clash of arms. They
did it once and they would do it again. The
debate continued between Merrimon and
Edmunds until quarter past three, when
the senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kelly, from the select committee on
centennial exposition, reported bill recit-
ing that at the various international oXpOsi
! tons that had been held in foreign coun-
tries the United States had been represented
in pursuance of invitations given by the
governments of these countries, requesting
the president to extend, in the name of the
United States, respectful and cordial invi-
tation to The governments Of other nations
to be represented and take part in the inter-
national exposition to be held in Philadel-
phia, under the auspices OF the government
OF the United States, in the year 1876.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, inquired
whether congress would not be required to
make appropriations to carry the matter
Through.
Mr.. Kelley replied that that question was
not involved in the bill at all.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, warned the house that
the plan was to get the president and secre-
tary of state committed to this great Phila-
delphia fourth Of July celebration, and that
if this bill passed congress would be called
on within the next two years for appropria
ton ranging from five to ten millions.
Mr.. Kelley said that Mr.. Hale missppre-
hended alike the purpose and scope OF the
bill. He denied that the government would
} be put to any expense.
Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, suggested that Mr..
Kelley permit an amendment to be offered
which would remove much OF the objection
to the bill: that in communicating such in
vitations to foreign governments IL shall be
done an such language as not to present 1t
as an enterprise guaranteed by the COVER n
ment of the United States.
Mr.. Kelley said that unless he heard dis
sent from the members of the centennial
committee, he would not object to let an
amendment be offered.
Mr.. Randall said: will object.
Mr.. Kelley remarked that the members oil
the centennial committee objected to ad-
hitting he amendment, and therefore he
could moi adnisit.
Mr.. Hawley, of the committee. claimed
, that the government had SO far committed
itself in he matter, that it could not retreat
without shame and national modification
The committee would bring before the house
six Z
and frankly for government aid. He would
, see whether congress would refuse to appr0-
prite three four millions for this great
purpose of peace, while it can give forty
fifty or sixty millions year for an army and
navy. The time was coming when millions
of the peoples money weuld be thought
, more available for purposes of peace and
! progress, than for the engl' Dry for murder
, ing men. The debate vas continued at
length.
I Mr.. Smith, of Ohio, said that one gentle
man connected with the committee had as
sured him they would require, before they
were through with it,
: SEVEN MILLIONS FROM THE GHNERAL Gov
ERNAENT.
Mr.. Hawley, Of Connecticut. he never
had any authority to say that.
Mr.. Smith. He was gentleman of this
committee from Ohio.
\ mission.
Mr.. Kelly. Seven millions will cover the
j whole cost.
| Mr.. Smith. We all know that expenses
ALWAYS exceed the estimates. We are frank
iy told that congress will have to furnish Fl We
| million, and that means an additional mil
| hon or two.
Mr.. G.. F. Hoar, of Massachusetts,. Does
not the communication which the president
has already made TO the foreign governments
pledge this government a. much as the bill
| car do.
Mr.. Smith. 1 know that what has been
done in this matter embarrases congress-.
Mr.. G. + Hoar. Are we not pledged al
ready7
| Mr.. Smith. We are not pledged, because
in the law authorizing the appointment. OF
commissioners congress reserves the right
to refuse to appropriate one dollar, but ii we
| pass this bill il means that congress Is com