The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-02-10
FORTY FOURTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
Military Academy Bill
RADICALS OPPOSE REHRENCHNBNT.
Spicy Debate Between Cox and Hale,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 2S, '76.
THE SENATE.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AFFAIRS

The SENATE,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AFFAIRS.
After the expiration of the morning
hour the consideration was resumed Of
the bill to pay the interest on the 3-65
District of Columbia bonds.
Mr. Sargent said he did not think the
amendment of his friend from Iowa
went far enough. He therefore submit
ment: And provided that the certificate
heretofore issued by the Board Of Audit,
including those invested in 1856 bonds
and those which have not been so in
vested, and certificates hereafter to be
issued by the Board of Audit, or their
successors in office. shall not exceed in
aggregate the sum of SIS, 100000.
MIR. Allison said the amendment of Mr..
Sargent might be added to that submit
ted
Mr.. Hamilton (Texas) inquired of the
Senator from California Sargent thought
his amendment would stop the issue Of
1866 bonds. AS long as Congress recOg-
nized these bonds the issue of them
would be continued. He would under
take to say that the issue would go on
until the amount reached $50,000,000 un-
less Congress stopped it.
Mr.. Sargent said the object of his
amendment was to cut off the power of
Commissioners to issue more bonds.
REMARKS OF MR.. THURMAN.
Mr.. Thurman said it might be asked
why were the powers of the old Board
of Public Works vested in these G M
missioners. 1t was for the very purpose
of enabling them to complete the i'm
provements already commenced. Work
had been authorized by the old govern
men4, and it was necessary that some
public functionary would see to the COM
pletion thereof, but that gave the Com
missioner to inaugurate great schemes Of
improvement. He quoted from the act
ofJune 20, 1874, and argued that the 3-65
bond were in no sense whatever reve-
nue. of the district. The issue of 3-65
bonds was authorized to take up all GER
tificates ofindebtedness which were then
floating around and not worth sixty
cents on the dollar. They were not
forced upon contractors or anyone else
the holders of these old certificates were
given their choice to take 3-65's or not
The President, before signing the act of
June 20, sent a message to Congress sug-
costing higher rate of interest than
3-65. He (Thurman) thought then and
still thought it was very unusual pro-
ceeding on the part of the chief magis
trate, but it was very wise and proper
one that the message was referred to a
committee, and a member of that COM
mittee explained to the President why it
was deemed expedient not to pay more
interest, after which the bill was signed.
He would not say the Commissioners
had exceeded their authority, but if they
had not, the committee and Congress
were grossly imposnd upon by the late
gov vernment of the District.
Mr.. Sherman said Governor Shepherd
may have underestimated the amount
necessary to complete contracts. Ifevery
body was to be punished for faulty esti-
mate, there would not be public officer
in the country who would escape.
Mr.. Thurman then alluded to the bill
to provide government for the District,
and submitted at the last session by Mr..
Morrill, of Maine, and said the Senator
from Indiana (Morton) found something
in it against color or previous condition
of servitude, and he thundered away at
it. The Senator from Delaware (Bayard)
found something in it about the liquor
business which aroused him.
Mr.. Morton-That was against the
Democratic party, Laughter.
Mr.. Thurman-Yes, it was entirely too
moral. Renewed laughter
Mr.. Thurman spoke of the estimate to
complete the work sumitted by Govern
nor Shepherd and said they were made
after the work had been ordered and
contracts awarded and there was no ex-
cuse whatever for an underestimate. He
read from the guarantee clause of the
section authorizing the issue 800 bonds
and said it was a qualified guarantee.
The pledge was that Congress would levy
taxes to pay portion Of the bonds which
should be paid by the people of the Dis
trict and the portion to be paid by the
General Government should be paid out
of the National Treasury. He argued
that Congress should pay portion ofthe
expenses of the District but that portion
never had been determined. Congress
had neglected that duty. The first thing
which Congress ought to do should be to
declare what portion of interest and prin-
cipal of these should be paid out Of the
National Treasury, and the balance could |
be collected from the people of the Dis
lrict In conclusion he said he preferred |
the resolution as it came from the House
of Representatives and was opposed to
the amendments proposed by the Senate
Committee on Appropriations striking
out the proviso prohibiting any further
issue of 3-65 bonds and that nothing in
the resolution shall involve the Govern.
ment of the United States in any obliga-
ton to pay principal or interest of such
bonds which have been issued contrary
to, or not in pursuance OF, law.
Mr.. Sargent submitted an addition to
the amendment presented by him so as
to provide that when the limitin issue of
said bonds shall be reached, the Board of
Audit of said district shall be abolished,
and papers in their possession be turned
over to the District Commissioners.