The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-26
CONGRES $ $40 N AL
SEM ATE

WASHINGTON. Jan. 25. Mr.. Edmunds
took the floor on his amendment and sar
castically commented on the refusal of the
senate to make this joint resolution. He
then reviewed the coinage laws aud said
that in 1884 there were hard times like
these.
Mr.. Jones, of Nevada, denied that they
were hard times, but Mr.. Edmunds said
congress was then overwhelmed with peti-
tious for relief from financial distress. He
argued that we had been steadily progress
ing with few backward steps toward a
widening in the value Of gold and silver
and IA simple statute would not equalze
the standard.
Mr., sJones interrupted asking if gold
and silver were not nearer together IN 1859
and 1860 than in 1884 and 1885 and if all
the troubles Of 1887 were not attributable
to the removal by General jackson of de.
posits.
| Mr.. Blaine asked if the 800 five per
cents were payable as to interest in the
silver half dollars, while the $1,000 regis
| tered bonds were payable iu gold.
Mr.. EdmuDds said the letter and spirit
Of the law differed The government
would be in q sad condition to be obliged
to construe its statutes all literally. The
honest import Of the pledge was that the
bonds would be paid in gold.
Mr. Matthews quoted from Mr.. Ed
/ mund's speech in 1867 to the effect that
the bonds were payable in gold and silver
Mr.. Edmund's amendment to Mr..
Matthews resolution, providing for the
payment of bonds in colds, aud declaring
any other course violation of public faith
was rejected-44 to Is.
Mr.. Morrilps amendment was also re-
jected-4l to IA.
MIR. Chaffee withdrew his amendment Of
Dec. II,
MIR. Window said he would vote against
this resolution but did not therefore intend
to indicate his vote on the silver bill.
Mr.. Edmunds moved Indefinitely tC
postpone the resolution. Rejected II t.
p.
Mr.. Matthews resolution was theI
agreed to-43 to %.
J The question then required on the pre-
amble, submitted by Mr., Edmunds on tht
l4th inst, and it was rejected-Yeas II
nays Al.
A vote was next taken on the preamble
submitted by Mr.. Morris on the 18th inst
Rejected without roll call.
MIR. Edmunds then moved to amend tn,
: preamble submitted by Mr.. Matthews, b,
e inserting the following; And whereas, b,
r the proyision Of the coinage act of 1873
nassed on the l2th of February of tha
f wear and of the revised statutes, which
). took effect on the first day of December o
e that wear, all provisions of law authorizin,
e the coinage of such Silver dollar were re
r neaIed Rejected 20, nays 3S.
n The question then recurred on the pre-
n amhIe a. submitted by Mr. Matthews Q,
the 9Th Of December, and it was adopted
without amendment-yeas AZ, nays 20.
Adjourned to Monday.
EoUsE,
ID WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-The steamboat
g hill was passed-yeas l73, nays so.
Y MIR. Singleton, chairman OF the commit.
Of tee on printing, reported back the senat,
% bin authorizing the public Printer to pur-
10 chase material in open market. The bill
passed by vote of l46 TO lV4.
The house went into committee of the
wbaIe on the bill extending the time 70,
or The withdrawal of distilled spirits in bonC
l. unt;l July |. Several bills on the calendar
w were set aside for the purpose.
st Mr. Tucker explained the bill and sale
d :. mas Question whether the house should
"a NV "1 or save from ruin the distillers WIN
we're uu Interested i, in the reduction of the ia,
on whisky. They were tne geese that lay
the golden eggs for ttss the s0ser9ment. ser9 H
in argued that the bill was good one ant
or ought to be passed. Is
as Mr.. Burchard adVocaa?a the bill an'
Mr.. Ellsworth spoke aeanslit.
Mr.. Hale said tbs 1ne "as srs,p simply - an oaa at
=. Geo. which the country needs from day /,
90 day. ia coun4,-