Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-22
FORTY.FOURTH CONGRESS-.
Tho business of General Interest Trans.
acted.

| Mr.. Sherman (Rep.), of Ohio, from the com.
mittee on finance reported favorably on the
House bill to provide for deficiency in the
engraving and printing bureau Of the treasury
department.
Mr.. Wright (Rep,). Of Iowa, from the com.
mittee on the Judiciary, reported adversely on
| the Senate bill to make persons chargeable
with crimes and offenses witnesses in courts
of the United States, and it was indefinitely
| postponed.
Mr.. Sherman (Rep.), Of Ohio, called up the
House bill to provide for deficiency in the
printing and engraving bureau of the Treas
ury department, and for the issue of silver
coin of the United States in place Of fractional
currency. The bill was read third time and
passed. 1t is as follows:
Be 1t enacted, That therebe, and hereby is
appropriated out Of any money in the treas
ury not otherwise appropriated, the sum Of
$163, 900, to provide for engraving and print
ing and other expenses Of making and issuing
United States notes, and the further sum Of
$48, 900 to provide for engraving and printing
national bank notes, to be disbursed under the
secretary Of the treasury.
Tha! the secretary OF the treasury is hereby
directed to issue silver coins Of the United
States of the denomination Of ten, twenty,
twenty-five and fifty cents, of standard value,
in redemption Of an equal amount of fractional
currency, whether the same DO now in the
treasury awaiting redemption or wherever it
may be presented for redemption, and the SEQ
rotary Of the treasury may, under regulations
of the Treasury department. provide for such
redemption and issue by substitution at the
regular sub-treasuries and public repositories
of the United States, until the whole amount
Of fractional currency outstanding shall be re-
deemed, and the fractional currency redeemed
under this act shall be held to be part of the
sinking fund provided for by the existing law,
intor RI 1,o Tod in ho
case Of bonds redeemed under tho acts relat-
ing to he sinking fund.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the committee on the
judiciary. reported adversely on the House bill
to protect witnesses who shall be required to
testify in certain cases, and the bill was placed
on the calendar.
Mr.. Morrill, (Rep.), of Vermont, called up
tho bill making appropriations to continue the
work Of improving the Capitol grounds. and
the amendment of the House, reducing the
amount from 1926, 900 to 800, 900. was agreed to,
and the bill passed.
The bill fixing the rate Ct postage on third
class mail mater, after several amendments,
passed.
Mr.. Holman (Dem.) Of Indiana, from the
committee on appropriations, reported back
after the fourth Of March, 1877, at 1926, 900.
Passed without discussion.
The question was taken on motion made
by Mr.. Holman to refer to the committee OF
the whole the bill reported adversely from the
committee on banking and currency, to regu-
late the rate Of interest throughout the country
on national money CHAT is, greenbacks, ma
tional bank notes, etc.) and to make 1t six per
cent. The motion was rejected-yeas, rs;
nays, 1856; and the bill was tabled.
Mr.. Ward (Dem.), Of New York, from the
committee on commerce, reported bill e1-
emptiug mas ers OF vessels engaged in trade
between the United States and British North
America, or the West Indies, or Mexico, and
the masters Of vessels of less than seventy-ive
tons burden, bound from port on the Allan
tic to a port OH the Pacific and vice versa, from
the necessity OF shipping their crews or pro-
curing their shipping articles to be signed
before shipping commissioner. Passed.
Mr.. Hereford Oem.), Of West Virginia,
chairman Of the committee on commerce, in
troduced a bill, which was passed, making an
appropriation for the construction, repair,
preservation, and completion Of different pub
lie works on rivers and harbors. The total
amount appropriated is $5,872, $50, OF which
5000, 900 is for the improvement OF New York
harbor and the removal Of distractions at
He'll Gate.
Mr.. Hereford Dem.), Of West Virginia.
adversely tie bill for the appointment of a
commission to inquire as to the terms OH Which
a commercial treaty can be made with Canada
Mr.. Kehr Dem. }, of Missouri, from the same
committee reported bill to authorize the
Of q bridge across the Missouri
river, at or ear Sioux City, Iowa. Passed.
Mr.. Wells (Den }, Of Missouri from the
committee on appropriations reported the
Deficiency bill. Tho bill appropriates 1862 ,486.
On motion Of Mr.. Holman (Dem) of Indi
ana, the Senate bill appropriating $25, 00) for |
the Improvement Of the Capitol grounds was
amended by reducing the amount to 5000
and was passed.
The bill to supply the deficiency in the print
ing bureau Of the Treasury department. and |
for the issue Of subsidiary silver coin In place |
Of the fractional currency, was taken up, the |
question being on the Senate amendment to |
strike out the third section, known as "the
Reagan amendment" making silver dollars
legal tender TO the amount of $50, ard lesser
coins legal tender to the amount OF s25. The
amendment was concurred in without division,
n ere the other amendments. The bill thus
redu ed to the first and second sections (Which
supply the deficiency in the printing bureau
and directs the issue OF subsidiary silver coin)
now goes to the President for his signature.
The House took up the Deficiency bill, and
Mr.. Wells Dem. }, of Missouri, who had charge
Of it, made explanations as to the bill. The |
bill was amended in various minor particulars,
md psesed.