Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1876-07-14

I
bill. and proceed To the consideration
Of the river and h.rbor appropriation
bill. Agreed TO.
Mr.. Allison said the bill as 1t came
from the house appropriated t5, ,s12,-
500, ss reported 10 the senate by the
committee on appropriation, but the
sum had been increased s46,3l4
| Nj. Msckey offered resolution for
the adjournment of congress on the
25th of July. Referred to the com
mittee on ways and means.
! Mr.. Thompson, from the committee
cd elections reported resolution in
the South Carolina contested election
case, declaring that neither Butts, the
contestant, nor Mackey. the sitting
member, were lawfully elected to CON
gress. Ordered printed.
Mr.. Payne, from the conference
committee on the silver bill, made u
repor, and proceeded TO explain it.
NorE-Mr. Payne's explanation Of
points Of difference was in substance
the same as sent in Washington dis
patches of Tuesday night
Hoase.
AsnNGroN, July 13-The con.
ference report on the silver bill was
presented. ii does not mention the
silver dollar, and making it legal ten
der there.f. Mr.. 1anders, OF the com
mittee, opposed that part of the re-
port.
t The committee amendments in
creasing appropriations were agreed
to. Mr.. Payne said the committee
failed to agree on the proposition to
make the silver dollar legsl tender 'or
public and private debts, but two of
the house aud All of the senate con-
ferers recommended Tho omission from
the bill al hat related TO the silver
dollar. He showed that owing TO a
remarkable decline in silver, especial.
~ for the past ton days, legal silver
dollar is worth not over eighty cents
in gold, and less than ninety in green,
backs, SO the extreme aud sudden ex-
change in value of the silver dollar
made the proposition Of declaring IL
legal tender a most startling proposi-
ton, and one of revolutionary char
actor. Certainly, congress and the
country should wait before the stand
ard value OF silver was liked by law
Perhaps it could be determined at the
next session, but it could not be now
The conference committee therefore
could not agree in recommending any
policy iii reference to the silver dol
lar.
MI. Lawrence inquired whether
the government bonds might proper
[,Fy be paid in silver dollars.
Mr.. Payne replied that in his opin-
ion they could be legally paid in sill
yer dollals.
Mr.. LaHders, one OF the house con-
ferers, opposed that part of the report
which omitted all reference to the sill
yer dollar, aud argued IN favor Of the
restoration OF the double standard,
which had been the standard of the
country from the foundation Of the
government up to 1869.
Mr.. Fort regarded the pending
question rs one of characterization oil
silver, aud asserted that the publ,
debt aid almost all the private debts
of the country had been cont acted
when the standard dollar was legal
tender. The bond holder should be
held zip to his coptract, and should be
paid in commodity, which he hss
agreed to accept, but it was said thai
the silver had deprecated, II, how
ever, gold should be held up to his
contract and should be paid in emo.
] modify, which he has agreed to nc.
Ecep,, but it was said silver had de
preciated. If, however, gpId shoutd
eepreciate through the discovery o.
some great bonanza, what you'd the
gentleman from Ohio Paynel do
/ / Would the interest Of The bondhold.
ers say gold had deprecated, and
!. was dishonest money, and tha,
therefore the bond holders should no
be compelled to take their pay il
gold, but should be paid in diamond,
or other valuable commodity
/ Mr. Bright argued that by unpaic
recognition in construction gold and
silver were the lawful money Of The
/ q. S. and that therefore the demone.
tization Of silver was unconstitutional
! Mr.. Cox, chairman Of the comm >
tee on banking and currency, argued
in favor Of the adoption of the report
He suggested that the bill introduced
by Wells, Of Missouri, TO allow owners
of silver bullion to deposit II in tn.
mint and receive subsidiary silvel
c5oin in payment WAS better bill thar
any Of those passed by the house, bu
! that bill WAS not hefess HE he house
The conference report WAS not amend
able.
Mr.. kasson said those who sus
tained the report demanded that til.
wages of labor should not be paid il