The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-06
NATIONAL LAW -GIVERS.
The Silver Bill In the SenaIe-Re-
marks by atom and Howe
Military Academy Bill
In the House.
WASHINGTON, February 5.
SEGATE

SANxh n
Mr.. Conkling presented petition
signed by large number of prominent
citizens OF New York in regard to the
famine and suffering in Northern China,
and suggesting that a commission be sp-
pointed from the residents of China to act
in connection with the United States
Minister In procuring and distributing
relief. They also suggest that the unex-
pended balance of the money received
from China in 1856 be used 10 relieve the
sufferers. Referred.
Mr.. Conkling said he had received a
large number of petitions from citizens
of many counties of New York in favor
of the remonetIzstion Of silver. He OBJ
served that these petitions were all
printed in one and the same form, and
were the product OF an organized effort.
He denied that they represented the
opinion or convictions OF the State of
New York on the silver question.
Messrs. Howe and Davis, of Illinois,
presented the petitions of masters, pilots,
mates, engineers and others Of the U United
States, praying tor an amendment to the
law in regard to the employment Ct
aliens as pilots so as to require sppli-
cants to take the oath of allegiance before
receiving their license, and also satisfy
the inspector that they have resided in
the United States. Referred.
Mr.. Wallace, from the Committee on
Finance, reported, with amendment, the
bill introduced by him some time ago to
authorize long bond for investment for
savings. Placed on the calendar. He
gave notice that he would call it up tor
consideration at an early day.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted reselu-
tion instructing the Committee
on Appropriations to report 3
bill making adequate provision for
the employment of additional clerical
force in the Pension and Surgeon-Gener-
ais offices to promptly examine and dis
pose Of all claims tor pensions. lie asked
for the present consideration of tho reso.
luton, bu. objection was made by
Mr.. Davis, OF West Virginia, and it was
laid over till tomorrow.
At the expiration of the morning hour
the consideration was resumed of the
silver bill, and Mr.. Eaton spoke in oppo.
sitlon thereto.
Mr.. Eaton said he would vote for the
amendment proposed by the Finance
Committee for an international commit
tee TO fix relative value of gold and
silver, but before considering the bill he
desired TO submit an amendment thereto.
To-day Asa! grains OF standard silver
are equal 10 a gold dollar. He would
make the silver coin worth 100 cents,
and under his constitutional oath be
would do it now, and not wait for the
report of any international committee.
Believing that the stamping Of silver by
the Government as money sppre-
ciated its value, he would
make the silver dollar consist of 4i0
grains. He moved to amend the bill
by striking out 4l2t grains and insert
ing 440 grains. Ordered printed.
Continuing the argument, Mr.. Eaton
said the bill was defective and faulty aud
should not receive the assent of the
national Legislature. Catch terms about
the dollar of our fathers and violent sd-
jectives could have no weight in this
discussion. The Sera were here rs
representatives of the States, TO take
care of the Interests of the. States, and
such legislation as would satisfy the
thoughtful people Of Kentucky, Ohio and
Georgia, would satisfy the thoughtful
mind of Massachusetts, Connecticut and
New York. The question OF finances
should meyer be forced into the arena OF
politics. He argued that there was
sutiiclency of coin and currency in the
United States for the transaction OF sll
the business of the country. Mr.. Eaton
referred TO the recent remarks Of Mr..
Beck, in regard 10 the idle money 10 the
country, and Mr.. Beck, in explanation of
that portion Of his speech, said the fact
that so many people we're out OF employ
ment now caused money to lay idle. He
then read from the New York papers OF
to-day as 10 the suffering in Hoboken
among persons out of work.
Mr.. Howe said that only that sort OF
courage which WAS born Of conviction
would induce him to speak, Immediately
succeeding the very able and eloquent
speech which the Senate had Just listen
ed to. He referred TO the arguments
heretofore made in regard 10 the pay
ment of the bonds in silver and said the
simple truth was the debt never would be
paid in gold or silver either, for the res-
son that the coin did not eIis. with
which to pay it. The debt must be paid
in commodities. He then spoke of the
power Of Congress TO coin money and
regulate the yalue thereof and said Con-
gress had better exercise that power care
fully and coin the best money. II the
bi-metsllic currency was the best, as some
authors said il was, tnen the United
States had better ADOPT it, even though
some other countries had other coir age
The present measure had been stigma
tised IS dishonest finances, but he was
not go sure il wss. There was differ
ence OF opinion IS 10 whether We had or
had not promised 10 psy our debt u
gold, and before he slloTei himself 70 be
placed in the category OF repudistors ne
must be allowed 10 give his view o! the
contract under which the bonds were dis
posed Of
Mr.. Howe then reviewed St length the
sets o. 1869, 20 strengthen ths public
credit, and that Of 1870 70 refund the
public debt, snd argued thst if the credi-
ioI insisted upon the payment OF the
bond. 10 gold, be must rest upon the equi'
~ OF his claim, and not on the lsT OF the
land. The capitalists iid not exactly ~
70 the rescue Of the government when It
was 10 want OF means. They consulted
their own interest in masking invest
men;s. s. they hsd q periect.righi to
do. He favored tie remcne!iZsilon
o. silver because it WAS 81 Amer
icsu product, ana ne could moi
legisls,e against IL he spoke OF the ST.
tempts 70 demonetiZe silver a. S COZ
spiracy, and ssid large part Of EarcPt
vas Alresdy il the consplrscy. The
practical question for Congress vas
Should the Uaited Sts:es become party
to The cou,plracy7 For ose Re declined
Il Ena delibersie effort 20 bias; thirty
three per cent. OF the means Of our Peo'
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