Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-23
House of REPRESENTATIVES.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-Mr. Stephens, chair
man of the committee on coinage, reported a
bill to amend the laws the subject of coin
age, to perfect the double metallic standard, to
provide for issuing gold and silver bullion Ger
tifcates, and to retire certain silver coins now
in use Ordered printed and recommited.
The first section provides that the coinage of
gold and silver bullion shall be on an equal
footing, and on the same terms and conditions
that is to say the actual cost of coinage of each
shall be paid by the owners.
The second section requires the secretary of
the treasury to receive on deposit silver bullion
in whatever quantities it may be offered and to
have it assayed and put in suitable bars, prop
erly stamped, and issue certificates therefor
just as certificates are now issued for gold
bullion and gold and silver coin. Such GER
titicates are to indicate and represent the value
Of the bullion SO deposited in standard silver
dollars of 412115 grains, and are to have the
same force and effect as other coin certificates,
and to be alike receivable in payment of all
public dues, and bullion SO deposited is to be
retained in the treasury for payment of the GER
of assaying and stamping the bullion and of it's
coinage. The secretary Of the treasury is to
have the right of converting such bullion into
standard silver dollars and to take up such GER
tifcates in coin or in bullion at his option
The third section prohibits further coinage
of the twenty cent, five cent and three cent
silver pieces.
The fourth section makes fractional or sub
sidiary silver coins legal tender to the
amount of 800, and authorizes its redemption
at the treasury in legal tender money when pre-
sented in sums OF $lOO.
The fifth section authorizes the continuance
of coinage of the trade dollars exclusively for
foreign trade, but limits the amount to
$75O,OO0 per month.
Mr.. Ward, of Pennsylvania introduced bill
supplementary to the homestead laws of the
United States, providing that persons, bona
fide intending to make actual entry and settle
ment under the homestead acts, shall receive,
through the secretary of the interior, free
Transportation for themselves, families, farm-
ing utensils and personal effects to their new
homes, and also seeds for two years cultiva-
ton.
At the end of the morning hour, Mr.. Atkins
introduced bill to provide for more econ
omical survey of the public lands. Referred.
Also a resolution directing the committee on
of constructing public buildings, and whether
any changes can be made in such system to
promote efficiency Of the public service.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr.. Mills in the chair, on the private
calendar. The committee disposed of a large
to the House, and they were passed, principally
pension bills, to the number of about forty.
Among them are bills pensioning the widows
Of Rear Admiral Silas 81. Stringham, Lieut.. Col.
James Totten, and Com. Ben. j. Totten, and q
bill to-pay the widow of Gen. Custer SO, 900 fol
money paid by her fathers estate to the gov.
eminent on a forfeited bond. A bill was also
passed pensioning the widows and minor chill
dren Of Capt. Guthrie and the surfmen who
were drowned in rendering assistance to the
crew of the wrecked Huron.
A bill granting an incaease of pension to $50
to the widow of Major Craig, chief of ord.
nance, was amended in committee Of the
whole by fixing it at $50, and this amendment
gave rise to discussion in the house and was
finally adopted and passed.
On motion Of MIR. Crittenden, the senate bill
to authorize the Worthington & Sioux Falls
railroad company to extend its road into the
territory of Dakota to the village of Sioux
Falls was taken up and passed.
Mr.. Hunton introduced bill to reorganize a
system of superintendent of railways. Re
ferred.
The House then adjourned till Monday.