West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-02-16
XLYTH CONGRESS-.


JANUARY 30.-.Scndic-After the morning
hour in which no important business was
transacted, consideration was resumed of
the Silver Bill. Mr. Christiancy submitted
an amendment in the nature of a substitute,
providing for the coinage of silver dollars of
434 grains, $40 pure silver and ITO ALLOW,
which shall be legal tender for all debts
except when otherwise provided by law or
contract. IL also authorizes the Secretary
OF the Treasury to purchase monthly not less
than two millions, nor more than four mil.
lion dollars worth of silver bullion TO be
coined. Any gain ARISING from such pur.
chase and coinage shall be accounted for
and paid into the Treasury as pro.
vided under existing laws, relative to
subsidiary coinage, provided that the
amount OF money at any one time invested
in such silver, exclusive of such resulting
coin, shall not exceed S., 600, 900. Ii further
provides that the act shall remain i'm force
but one year. Ordered printed. Mr.. Chris.
hancy made speech in favor of his amend.
ment, and in opposition to the bill now
before the Senate........ HOUSe-Mr. HAYES
introduced a bill prohibiting any further
destruction of legal tender notes, and max
ing such notes legal tender for custom
duties. Referred. Mr.. Davis, of North Car
olina, introduced bill repeating section
AVG OF the Revised Statutes, forbidding the
payment OF pensions to any person or To
the widow, children, or heirs of any de-
ceased person who in any manner volun-
tarily engaged in or aided or abetted the
late rebellion.
JANUARY a.-Scndic-Mr. Herman pre-
sentcd petitions from citizens of Erie and
other counties of New York in favor of the
reconciliation of silver and the repeal of
the specie resumption act. Referred 4
number OF bills of private character were
passed during the morning hour. Mr..
Hamlin called up the House Joint resolution
extending thanks of Congress to Henry NJ
stanley, explorer of Central Africa, and il
was unanimously agreed to. Mr.. Maxey
called up the Senate bill appropriating
S2OO,OOO for the erection of suitable posts
for the protection of the Rio Grande from
tier, and 1t was passed. At the expiration
oil the morning hour consideration
was resumed of the silver bill.
Certain amendments were offered and
ordered printed. After some dicussion, on
motion of Mr.. Bayard, further consideration
OF the silver bill was POSTPONED
until Monday next, with the under
standing that the debate should then
be resumed, and continued from day to
day until vote shall be reached The gold
resolutions OF the Maine Legislature Weti-
presented by Mr.. Hamlin, and laid on nor
table. Mr.. Voorhees, presented pion
ton from James ID. Williams, GoverIn-
OF Indiana, praying for an appropriatere,
Tor the payment to the States of the
diana, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont
and other States in like condition, the un-
paid balances of actual expenses incurred
by them respectively for enrolling, equip
ping, and supplying troops to aid in the
suppression of the rebellion. Referred.
......... HOUSe-Little business of importance
was transacted. Three reports were made
IN the case OF Pacheco, the sitting member,
whose seat is contested by Wigginton
which were ordered printed In Com.
mlttee OF the Whole, the Military Academy
Appropriation Bill was discussed. but the
Committee rose without taking any action.
FEBRUARY l.-House-No business of
Importance was transacted. The time was
occupied in discussing q question Of privi-
lege raised by Mr.. Baker, of Indiana, in
which he stated certain grave, If not crimi.
nal charges, had been brought against the
doorkeeper of the House, recurring inyesti.
cation. Mr.. Baker then had read at the
Clerks desk the affidavits referred 10. The
hrst one was signed by Ingram Coryell,
charging that Polk, the doorkeeper was
interested in the bills before Congress. and
had promised him an interest in them in
consideration of his resigning his position
as clerk. The second statement was signed
by Mr.. Mark A. Duffy, Assistant Superin-
tendent Of the Document room making
substantially the same charges, and declar.
ing Mr.. Polk had told him that ne had a
polntments, and that he could get the Com.
mlttee on Accounts to do anything for him.
After discussion, the matter was referred to
the Committee on Reform for investigation
FEBRUARY 4.--Scndte-The greater mart
of the morning hour was taken up in the
presentation Of petitions from all parts Of
the country, most OF them remonstratino
against changes in the present tariff duties
and the restoration Of the tax on tea and
coffee, all OF whish were referred. Other
petitions favoring the organization of n De.
partment of Industry, the head thereof TO
be cabinet officer, was presented and re-
lerred. Mr.. Herman presented petitions
from citizens Of Ontario, Madison, Duchess.
schuyler, Queen, Steuben, Franklin Albany.
and other counties Of New York in favor
OF the reconciliation OF silver and repeal
OF the specie resumption act Referred
Mr.. Morrill, from the Committee on ri.
nance, reported an amendment 10 the bill 10
remit taxes on insolyent banks, being in
substance that presented by Mr. Rollins
last week in regard 90 eXempting mercan-
tile or business deposits from taxation upon
which no interest has been allowed.
Ordered printed Al the expiration Of the
morning hour the silver bill was considered
Mr. Beck offered an amendment. and Mr..
ifayard spoke against the bill Mr. Eaton
bad the hoor at adjOunment......H Ouse-
among the bills introduced and referred
during the morning hour is one by Mr.
oouthard authorizing the payment Of the
customs in legal tender notes, and one bv
Mr.. Mills providing that all bonds hereafter
\ issued by the Government shall be payable.
+ principal and interest, in gold silver or
legal tender notes. Mr.. MacMahon moved
/ 20 suspend the rules and ADOPT the rcsoIu.
\ lions recitng that boo the present condition
/ Of public distress DO is important that the
wealthy OF the country Shall bear fair
. proportion OF the burdens Of taxation. and
instructing the Committee Of WAYS and
Means To- report bill 40 the earliest practical
moment imposing a graduated tax on excess
OF incomes above p reasonable minimum
to De fixed by law. Defeated-yeag, 1866.
nays - less than twO-thirds Bro the ahirma.
tive. a communication was presented from
the dOorkecrgr 81 the House denying the
charges against his official integrity. Re
ferred.
February 5..-Sea0ic-A large number "a
petitions we're presented, from New York
State, in favor Of the recommendation OF siI
yer. and in favor Of appointing a Commits
sion % give relief 20 the famine stricken
inhabitants Of Northern China. Mr. Beck
presented a memorial Of The State Of Ken
lucky, signed by the Governor thereof. ask
ing Congress % make IN appropriation Q,
pay balance due 20 States for expense,
incurred 10 equippiDg troops during the lat,
war Referred AZ the expiration Of th,
morning hour, consideration vas resume,
Of the Silver Bill, and Mr. Eaton spoke ir
opposition thereto. Mr. Howe followed Mr
Eaton, favoring The reconciliation Of oil