The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, May 6.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, May 6.
SENATE.
The President pro tenn. land beore the
Senate House bill to forbid the further re-
tirement Of United States legal tender
notes, which was resd the first time by
ITS title so that it may be refelred the
Committee on Finance, in accordance
with the usual custom.
Mr.. Cockrill objected TO the usual ref
erence and moved the bill be read sec
ond time.
His object was to have the bill passed
without reference, but Mr.. Morril OBJ
jected to the second reading OF the bill
today AT it was laid over.
On motion of Mr.. Thurman the SEN
ate took up the bill to repeal the bank
rupt law, reported from the Judiciary
Committee with an amendment on Thurs
day last.
Mr.. Beck submitted an amendment to
strike out January l, 1879, as the time
when the repeal of the law should take
effect, and insert in lieu thereof an
amendment to repeal the law from the
passage of the act.
The discussion of the bill lasted until
the expiration Of the morning hour,
when the bill to repeal the specie re.
sumption act came up rs unfinished
business, upon which Mr.. Gordon was
entitled to the floor, but on motion Of
Mr.. Thurman the bill was laid aside
that the Senate might consider the bill
repeating the bankrupt law.
Mr.. Thurman consented that the bill
be laid aside informally that Mr.. Gordon
might address the Senate in favor of the
specie resumption act, with the under
standing tina. the consideration of the
bankrupt bill should be resumed as he
concludes his remarks.
Mr.. Gordon spoke at length in tayer Of
repeating the resumption act.
Mr. Gordon said that i'll advised legis-
lation was the prime cause Of our fnsn-
cisl depression to-day. He favored nom
est fnan ces and return to specie pay
ments He had steadfastly maintained
that the country should return 10 specie
payments at the earliest possible moment
compatible with the interests of its indus
trial classes. 1t had been argued that
the shortest road 10 resumption was the
best one, and that road was contraction,
no matter how rough it might be- He
denied such u proposition. The credit OF
the government was an important item,
but it would take care OF itself If Con-
gress would only see that the interest on
the bonds was paid A. the time and with
the coin named in the ColtrsCt. The
great interest of the people WAS
the question of equal Importance He
had never been able to understand why
it was not better to save the country by
common sense, than ruin it by science,
lie could net see why salvation accord
ing to experience was so much less de
sirable than damnation according 10 R.
csrdo He argued that the policy Of con
traction planted the seed, not OF resump-
ton, but OF consumption OF the vltais Of
the country, until it swept sll our ener-
gies and enterprises away. He did
not bsleYe the Secretary of the Treasu.
~ could maintain specie resumption
without bringing great distress upon the
country. He then referred TO the South
and said the Republics flag was her 1sg;
the Republics honor was her honor, and
when either should be sssailed, she would
not be found wanting in her contribution
of her brain and blood to repel the as
ssult. Referring to the spirit Cf com
munIsm, if tolerated here it would doom
not only the reward OF labor, hut
would ruin the liberties Of
our citizens. Not such bird
of i'll omen could flourish on our soil. The
people were suderng-the country
seemed sgitated-but beneath it the all
controlling law was the abiding spirit of
the American people, elevated and sane
titled by suffering, endurance ard trial.
Mr Sargent, from the Committee on
Appropriations, called up honse bill max
ing appropriations for the payment OF
Invalid and other pensions OF the United
States for the year ending June 80, 1879.
After the discussion Mr.. Dorsey OtiOr-
ed an amendment that on the first day
of January, 1879, the terms of office OF al
pension agents shall expire, and there
after honorsbly discharged wounded
or disabled Union soldiers, or widows, or
daughters of such soldiers shall be APP
pointed to such offices. Agreed TO.
Yeas q; nays 22.
MIR. Sargent then submitted an amend
ment to the report of the committee, pre-
viding that from and after the passage OF
the act, in case OF vsnCanCy in the office
of pension agent, it shall be filled by the
appointment of wounded or disabled
Union soldier. Agreed TO-
Pending the discussion, Mr.. Chris
tiancy introduced bill to amend section
54l4 of the Revised Statutes, to punish
forgery and other like crimes iDjuriously
affecting foreign governments. Referred.
Adjourned.