Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-03-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
First Session -44th Congress.
WASHINGTON, March 6.
SEN ATE.

Edmnnds, from the select commit
tee to which was referred the resolu-
tons and message from the House
reported in regard to the impcach-
mcnt of w. w. Bclknap the following
preamble and resolution, declaring
that the Senate will take an order in
the premises according to its stand
ing rule, and directing the Secretary
to notify the House. Agreed to.
After tho morning hour Sherman
called up the resolutions of the New
York Chamber of Commerce present
ed last week and spoke in regard
thereto.
Sherman took strong ground
against the repeal of the resumption
act, which he said was generally re.
garded as settlement OF the financial
base and has been made the basis OF
all business contracts, if repealed the
wild speculation that feeds on de-
preciated currency will ensue, but il
would not stop with repeating the
act--nnlimited imitation would fol-
low. Said he, If we cannot protect
our promise to the note hglders, how
shall VIC protect our promise to bond
holders. lie depicted the misfortuncs
of reDudiation and the possibility that
gold might be dethroned as measure
of value and an inter convertible
bond bearing 1865 per cent. interest
be submitted, and when it becomes
too expensive to print the notes, to
pay interest, reduce the rate-Why
pay 300 per cent, when it is easier TO
pay per cent,
1t Is but an act of Congress, and
when the process of reputation goes
so far that your notes will not buy
bread, why then declare against all
interest and then, after passing
through the valley Of humiliation re-
turn again to barter and honor gold.
Again Mr.. Sherman showed how
credit was the life of trade and con-
fidence was necessary to credit.
This confidence would be wanting
unless we can compete with rival ma :
tions whose industry rests on specie
basis. The only contraction of the
currency provided for by this act is
in substitution of one form of curren-
cy tor another; in the place Of frac-
tional currency is issued silver cur
rcncy, and where national bank
notes arc issued, there is retired SO
per cent. Of the amount in U, S. notes.
Various objections to resumption
having been considered, sherman
closed by saying he would chcorfully
vote for q moderate tax on tea and
coffee, because this will increase our
revenue without adding to the cost Of
the articles, and be the means 81 en-
abling us to repeal other taxes that
are both a burden and an inconvcn-
fence, and will also strengthen the
treasury.
At the conclusion of Shcrman's
speech, Bogy called up the bin intro
duced by him, carly i'm the session,
authorizing the payment of duties
on imports, in legal tender and ma
tional bank Natoa. -
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The House
under tho call of states, Randall in
trodnced a bin TO declare tho immu-
nlty on witnesses forthe II. S. It pro-
vides that witnesses shall not be liza
bic to arrest any time after they have
been suhpnnaad or while testifying.
and that they shall never be convicted
on account ofany matter disclosed by
them, in their testimony, and that il
shall be a penal offence to intimidate
or attempt 10 intimidate any witness.
by threaining him with prosecution.
Morrison introduced a bill fb ex-
cmpt from criminal brnsncutioh, wit
Eesses testifying heforo either House
OF Congress on any committee of
same. Wells Of Missouri to reduce
the number and Increase the efficiency
of medical corps Of the army. Will
liams of Massachusetts the resolution
ofthc State Legislature proposing an
amendment 10 tho constitution 10
provide f6r members of Cangress.
holding their seats for three Years
one third Of The number to vacate
thciF si3ts each yaaI,
Dunnell introduced The resolution
OF the Mianes0ia Legislature for
cheap transportation,
a message was received from the
senate announcing that on prescnta-
ton of articles Of impea chment
against the late Secretary Of War, the
Senate would, according to lis stand
ing I'll les aud ordcrs, take proper act
tlon thcrean, OF which due notice
would be given to the House. The
House then went into Committee of
the Whole on tho Hawaiian Treaty,
ana Woad, OF New York, concluded
his speech,