The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-15
Washington.

| Washington. ..
TIE DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE ON THE CON
FERENCE REPORT OF THE DEPICIESCY-AP-
! PRECIPITATION BILL-DEBATE IN THE SENATE
on MATTHEws's SILVER REsOLUTIoSS-TnE
CONTESTED ELECTION CASES FROM SOUTH
| CAROLINA, LOUISIANA, MASSACHUSETTS. AND
CALIFoRSIA-TIE ANTI-REsuMPTIoN MOVE
MENr OF THE GREENBACK PARTY-REPCBLI-
| CAN CAUCCS-TARIoUS ITEMS, &C.
| IFrom Orr Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, December 14.-Thc report
OF the committee OF conference OF the two
houses on the deficiency appropriation bill
gave rise to most animated discussion to-
day, many members declaring that the
House had surrendered everything aud the
Senate nothing. A motion was first made
! to lay the report on the table, and subse-
ouently to send it back to the committee.
Mr.. Atkins, OF Tennessee, saidthat the COM
mlttee OF conference have to concede as
we'll as demand, and that the report was the
result OF mutual concession. Dir. Sparks,
OF Illinois, declared that he wanted it de-
fcated, because the Senate had violated the
Constitution in adding to the House bill
amendments which usurped the power Of
originating all appropriation which be-
Ionged only to the House. That body, CON-
posed Of mcn,very remote from the people,
| could only modify such appropriations rs
the Housesent it. Messrs. Halle OF Maine,
| Conger of Michigan, Eaton, and Singleton
Of Mississippi, Cannon Of illinois,, and
others, gave their views on the subject.
| The House. however, finally adopted the
report and secured the passage Of the bill.
The fact is that the Senate increased the
appropriations sent them by the House
nearly million OF dollars, and the House
acquiesced in over $780, 1000 Of this sum yes
terday-to wit, the star service appropria-
ton Of 100000 and the appropriation for
the continuation Of the work on the new
department buildings OF S325.000. Now,
this left only Il little over $4,000 in con-
troyersy when the conference committee
met, and OF this the House was required to
weld 100000 and the Senate $4,000. The
suuabble therefore was over comparative
| ly small matter, and, az Dir. Clymer re-
marked, the fight should have been made on
Thursday over the 100000. One OF tine
items OF the bin is $4,000 for the relief OF
destitute colored women and children OF
the District of Columbia. ,....... :
THE SILVER CONTROVERSY. ~.l..
In the Senate Mr. Hereford, OF West Eir-
ginia, opened the debate on the Matthews
Silver resolutions, and advocated their adop-
ton. He read from the record to show that
the bill demonetiziug silver was forced
| A. II hatr
Messrs. Hoar, Allison, and Sargent attempt
ed but failed to break the force OF this. He
quoted from President Grant, who said sill
yer was standard OF value the world over.
In giving the history OF the national debt
he said it was first payablein gold, silver, and
legal tenders. First the egaltenders were
prohibited from being used for this pur-
pose; then silver was demonetized,
and now gold alone can be used.
Now there is only S1S5,00O,000 Of gold,
including bullion. in circulation In the
United States, and it takes one half Of this
to nav the interest on the national debt.
Where, then, is the gold to come from to
nay the principal? Then New York has
declared that State taxes and debts shall be
paid in gold after January. 1879, and where
will the sender from New York get the gold
with which to carry out the law2 .'
At O'Clock the Senate went into execu-
tive session and remained until 5.
CONGRATULATIONS CASES.
The House Election Committee will not
be able to repor: on the contested. election
cases from South Carolina, Louisiana, Mas
sachusetts, and California until January.
All these seats are now held by Republicans,
but it is safe to say that the California and
Massachusetts cases Will be decided in favor
of the Democratic contestants. The South
Carolina and Louisiana cases, like every
question connected with those States, will
require full investigation, and OF course
until this is doneit will be impossible to an
ticipate the result. BY the way, the chair
man OF the committee, Judge Harris Of Vir.
ginia, Yesterday completely floored General
Butler during the debate on the Colorado
case by reading Ben. Buffers speech On the
West Virginia case, in which be had taken
the identical ground held by the Democrats
in the Colorado case. General Butler was
completely upset, and the House added to
his discontinue by indulging in roar OF
laughter.
| THE GREESBACK MOVEMENT.
The Greenback Association was to- have
met again last night, but both houses We're
in session 80 late that it was prevented. 1t
!
embraces Democrats and Republicans, who
get along amazingly well. Mr.. Ewing, OF
| Ohio, is one Of it's leading spirits, and its OBJ
icct is to send out documents and speakers,
so that the people may be enlisted on the
side Of anti-resumption.
STEAMBOATS, AND THE PROTECTION OF LIVES
| AND PROPERTY.
Mr. Copeland, Of New York, was before
the House Committee on Commerce to-day
in regard to the proposed steamboat bill,
the main points Of which are familiar to the
| readers OF these dispatches. The chairman
| (Judge Reagan, Of Texas) thinks the bill,
which will be reported early after the holt
days, will pass both houses, and that there
| will be accomplished what has been sought
| to be done ever since the war. The bill pro-
yldes additional safety for lives and pro-
perry. 81" Esq.,.
LENGTHY SESSIONS. ..s =
The House at o'clock refused to ad-
journ, and up to that hour had been en-
gagged in taking bills from the Speakers Ia
BILE and referring them to committees. at
8 the Glover resolutions, reported from the
Committee OF Ways and Means. were taken
I'D. They give committees unlimited power
in Investigations, to send for persons and
papers without asking permission OF the
House. As this promised lengthy ana ex-
cited debate, number OF members lett.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
The Republican members Of the Senate
held caucus this morning and heard the
report in the case OF MIR. French, sergeant
alarms. There will be another caucus held
tomorrow, and rumor has 1t tonight that
he is in danger. It would be nearer right