The New York herald., 1878-12-17
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. d

wAsHIyGToy, Dec. 1G, 1873.
Senator Barnum, Of Connecticut, was in his seat
this morning for tho first time this session. The
only Senator'S now absent are Messrs. Jones and
Sharon. of Nevada, and Sargent, of California. the
latter being detained on account of sickness
The CHAPLAIN, in his opening prayer. alluded to the
death Of the Princess Alice. saying 20 Lord for all
that this day. alike in the palaces of kings and
in the lowly dwelling Of the poor. we besecch Thy
mercy and Thy favor"
Messrs. DAVIS und.) and OcIEsBY, (rcp of H., pre-
scented resolutions Of the Manufacturers Association
Of the Northwest. favorng the appointment of sub
committee of the committees Of commerce of both
houses of Congress to accompany excursion party
from Chicago to Mexico on the 4th of January next
TO further establish direct commercial relations
between the two countries. Referred to the Commit
tee on Commerce and Mr. ogesby expressed the hope
SECRETARY SHERMAN CALLED To ACCOUNT
Mr.. BECK. OF Kentucky. submitted resolution
that the Secretary OF the Treasury be directed and
required to appear before the senate in person on
Wednesday next, Mt one O'Clock r. NJ to inform the
SENATE what = reason IL II any. any he has for failing to
1SiS The resolution referred TO calls upon the
retary Of the Treasury for information as to what
amount Of silver has been received in payment of
customs duties since the beginning OF the present
fiscal year, aud whether or not be has applied the
silver coin received in whole in part to the pay
mcnt of the interest bonds notes Of the United
States. II II has not been so applied to state the
reason why &c.
Mr. MoRnILr (rep.) of VT, said IL the Senator from
Kentucky tMr. Becky desired to discuss this resol-
tion he tMr. MorrilD had no objection to hearing
him. but IL the Senator desired action on the rcsol.
tion now lie tMr. Morrill) must object. The time
had been short since tho passage the resolution
of December that IL hardly possible for the
Secretary to reply. From conversation hc had with
the Secretary recently nc had doubt the answer
would come in soon, probably to-day.
Mr.. BECK, Of Kentucky, said the only object he
had to obtain an answer from the Secretary be-
fore the holidays. II could be sort of embnrrass-
mcnt for the secretary OF the Treasury appear in
the Senate and give his reasons for the delay. Per-
haps he could give his reasons that way better than
by writing reply. He tMr. Becky would like to see
whether the Silver law passed Mt the last was
good law not. lie insisted that long as IL re-
maincd on the statute books IL should he enforced.
He had noticed the action of the New York banks to
discriminate against tho silver dollar and he wanted
IL paid TO them well 10 all Others The Secretary
OF the Treasury was the agent OF Congress. and ho
must comply with the law He quoted from the
public debt statements and argued that the Secretary
had increased the bonded debt of the United States
bearing interest tn the extent of Sl0t 4y 450, and
this in tho face Of professions that the national debt
was being diminished.
Mr.. MEnRrMoS, tdem) of N. Glow has he done
that?
Mr.. BEcK-Hc has done Gt by selling bonds and
boarding gold. Continuing. he said the Secretary
further said that he intended 10 issue notes OF high
character, OF a large denomination, on the LIST Of
January next These and many other things the
senate should know about
Nj. MoxRILL. OF Vermont, said he had no doubt Of