The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-19
fORTY-F0URTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, July lS.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Boutwell, made personal expla-
nation, stating that the Democratic
platform adopted at st. Louis, charged
that the late secretary of the treasury,
ailuding to himself, had forced balances
on public accounts. He denied that
such was the case, and read from the re-
ports ofthe finance committee recently
made to the Senate, stating that they
were fully satisfied that not the slightest
change had been made in the books.
Mr.. Davis said, if the books OF the
Treasury Department had not been
changed, official statements sent to Con-
gress had He proposed TO review tho
report of the Finance Committee on the
subject in lew days, and would then
show that discrepancies existed.
Mr.. Boutwell, said the Senator from
West Virginia reminded him of child
playing with geometrical books; when
he attempted to deal with figures he
did not understand the value Of figures,
Mr.. Davis, in reply, said the custom Of
book keeping in the Treasury
was not the same as had been
Inaugerated,.by Alex. Hamilton, but the
Senator from Massachusetts knew we'll
who interfered with them. He reiterated
the charge that the figures had been
changed and declared he was prepared
to show it.
Mr.. Cameron, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported favorably on House
bill authorizing the construction OF q
bridge across the Missouri river at or
near Sioux City, Iowa. Placed on the
calendar.
Five thousand copies of testimony
were ordered printed.
MIR. Booth, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported back the resolu-
ton instructing that committee to inquire
at what time the several roads which re-
ceiyed grants of land under the Pacific
railroad act of July l, 1862, were CON-
pleted, and if any additional legislation is
necessary to secure the right of settlers to
purchase such lands as have not been
sold within three years of the compile.
tion Of that road, at $l25 per acre, as
reported by the bill in relation to the
sale of lands granted to certain railroad
companies, and asked to be printed and
recommitted to the Committee on Public
Lands. SO ordered.
Mr.. Sargent submitted resolution
authorizing the special committee ap-
pointed by the House and Senate to
inquire into the subject of Chinese i'm
migration TO this country; to act rs a
| Joint special committee Of the House.
with the powers conferred by the reso-
luton appointing them, providing
that one half of the expense of said COM
mittee shall be paid out of the contin-
gent fund of the Senate. Agreed to.
The morning hour having expired, the
Chair laid before the Senate the unfin-
ished business, being the river and har-
Dor appropriation bill, the pending ques.
ton being on motion Of Mr.. Thurman to
recommit the bill to the Committee on
appropriations, with instructions TO re-
port bill reducing the aggregate amount
for the improvement of rivers and har-
bors to sum not 10 exceed $4,000 600.
Mr.. Merriman made speech defend
ing the House from the impuLations
thrown out yesterday by several Sena-
ators, that the bill was passed in such
way rs TO secure them to that party. He
showed where large sums had been ap-
pr opria!ed for the works in the Republi.
can districts.
Mr.. Sherman asked what single reform
had the Democratic party accomplished
since 1850 and said he could show fifty
Tor the Republican party.
MIR. Morton-I would like my friend
to name me single good act Of any kind
that the Democratic party has done
within the past twenty-five years APP
plsuse IN the galleries.
Mr.. Merrimon said in the years pre-
ceding the war there was nothing TO re-
form; the revenues were not stolen, and
the taxes were so light that the people
scarcely knew that they were contri-
buting to the support Of the government
Now, on the contrary, one-tourth OF the
revenue was lost in its collec-
ton; the frauds practised by the
Republican party from 1866 to 1871 were
so appalling that the bitter men of the
party could not fail to see the evils, and
a commission WAS raised 10 endeavor TO
reform the civil service of the govern
ment. That commission. composed of
George w. Curtis, A. q. Cattle, Joseph
Medill, ID. A. Walker. +. b. Elliott, j,
ii. Biackman and ID. &. Cox was endors-
ed by the Republican party. These
gentlemen, he supposed, belonged to the
better class of Republicans, and he did
not deny that there were good men in the
Republican party but they were mpotent
10 control the party.
Mr.. Morton reviewed the history Of
the Democratic party, and said that that
party in convention in 1864, with Tilden
himself on the committee, declared the
war q failure. In any other country
than this that declaration would have
been punished as high treason. The
Democratic party had the blsckest and
most damn able record in the history of
parties in this or any other country.
Applause IN the gallery
Mr. Salisbury SAID the Democratic
party took halt the country in its infan-
cy. Its first act was 10 wipe out the
seditIon laws from its statute books. IL
took hold OF the country when it was
composed of but thirteen small colonies,
and added the great western domain. 1t
added the lone star of Texas, and the
golden California. 1t took hold of the
country when it had shlnplaster cur
rency. and substituted gold and silver
1t paid oil the national debt during the
administration of General Jackson,
and j. would pay of the national
deb, which Republicans had created
Mr.. Salisbury then referred 70 the re-
sumption nc. Of the last session, and said
,ha, the sct was passed by the Republi-
cans without any intention OF resuming
the specie payment 1t was tub 10 the
wahie. When the Democratic party
came in power, il would take measures TO
resume At the proper time, and at no
very distant day.
Pending discussion, the Chair an
nounced Messrs. Freiinghuysen, I'd
munds and Wthers as new Committee
! Of Conference on the Consular and Dip
lomAtic Appropriation bill.