Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-10
Public Lands-Utah and Colorado
The National Banks
Their Bends and Cir
cHlating Notes.
Debate on Specie Fayments-EX-
Secretary of the Treasury
Boutwell, on Defense
Official Salaries.
United States Courts Juries-FOr-
tiifeatiOns-Credit for a Rev
enue C0llectOr-The Char
pening Claim, Etc.
SENATE.

1ss
WASHINGTON, January 9.-AGter
several memorials and petitions were
presented asking amendments to the
bankrupt law, Senator Boutwell,, from
the COMMITTEES on public lands, reported
back the bill for the relief of the aged or
in1irm pre-emption settlers on the public
lands. Passed.
Senator Sargent introduced bill for
the protection of settlers in Utah; also a
bill to aid in the execution of the laws
in that Territory. Referred.
The house bill making an appropria-
ton of two thousand dollars for the
Legislative expenses of Colorado was
passed. l1
Senator COnkling presented a petition
asking that the commerce act be so
amended as not to affect canals, which
was referred. A
On motion of Senator Morton, tn
senate bill authorizing national banks
that have decided to reduce their stock,
to Withdraw proportion of their bonds
upon retiring their circulating rates, or
depOsiting sum of money in proper
tion to that provided by law, WIS taken
up, with the amendment of the finance
committee, which provides that when
ever such reduction shall be authorized,
any notes Of such bank thereafter com
ing into the treasury of the United
States shall be cancelled, until the
amount 50 cancelled. together with such
as shall be redeemed, shall equal the
amount Of the reduction authorized.
In the discussion of the bill Senator
Boutwell, said the opinion so gener-
ally manifested that the government of
the United States is existing with a vast
amount Of its paper in circulation which
had been dishonored, was entirely er-
rOneous; that there was no obligation to
pay the notes at any particular time;they
are redeemable at the pleasure of the
government, and such was the spirit of
the law.
Senator Morrill, [ VT. said he was sur
prised at the statement of the gentleman
from Massachusetts Senator Boutwell,,
whOwas undertaking TO defend the rights
of the government to postpone the day of
paying its obligations without pretend
ing to understand the necessities eflaW.
He knew that as business man if any
indi vidual undertook to give out such
paper the courts would compel him to
pay it. He believed the intention of the
law was that the government should
pay these notes as early as possible.
Senator Howe said if he were Judge
he would not give judgment against the
government on one of these notes, but it
did not follow that because the law was
effectively framed congress was re-
lieved from providing for the payment
of the notes.
Senator Boutwell, said he had yet to
learn how public credit was improved or
the character of the country benefited
- t,e.5 tot hot
financial dishonor; the nation could
not be charged with dishonor when it
had stipulated beforehand what it would
do-that it would redeem these obliga-
tions in coin; while this process was 60
ing on the government was under no
obligations to bring it to a result at any
particular time; he didn't believe the
nation was living in dishonor.
Senator Howe said that the senator
from Massachusetts Mr.. Boutwell, had
made admission that for five or six
years the government had been acting
in the direction of making its deferred
promises equal in value to gold. He
Howe did not see where the govern
ment had taken any step to that end. |
Business had, but the government had
not.
The chair said that the morning hour |
having expired, the senate would re-
sumo consideration of the so-called |
salary bill. ...,
Senator Lewis moved that when the
senate adjourn to-day, it be to meet on
Monday next.
Agreed to-Yeas, 50; nays, 80.
Senator Sergeant Cal. said he |
thought it unfortunate for the bill now /
under consideration that the senate, last |
evening, adopted the amendment of the |
gentleman from Maryland Senator |
He could not move re-
of the amendment, not /
having voted for it, but hoped some SEN
ator who did vote in the affirmative
would move to reconsider it.
Senator Wright said the senator from
California Senator Sargeantl had init
mated that by voting for the amend
ment he had sought out the President as
the only one of the administration re-
ceiving the increased salary. The saIa-
ries Of the assistant secretaries and 9TH
ers were increased by the b.ll as we'll as
that of the President. The repeal did
not affect the amendment of Senator
offered last evening, that
a reduction of salaries should
take effect from March 4, 1873, and
that the accounting officers Of the treas
ury shall compare the same accordingly,
and make ratioable monthly reduction
from SAID salaries, at rate necessary to
effect this provision within nine months
next hereafter, was rejected-yeas 20,
nays %.
Senator Boreman moved to amend so
that the salary of the President, after
March 4, 1877, should be thirty-ive thou
sand dollars per annum. Lost.
Senator Clayton moved TO reeommit
the bill and pending amendments to the
on civil service and retrench-
ment, with instructions to report a bill
looking to a general reduction of all sal
aries of government officers, both civil
and military, as far as it could be done,
aud that the salaries be equalized ac-
cording to the nature of the services rem
ieTed.
Senator ClaytOn's motion was lost
NAYS, IL: yeas, 10.