The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-12
CONGRES 5 $40 N AL
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. IA number of
bills were introduced and referred
Mr.. ConkliDg by unanimous consent,
read communication of the New York
Chamber of Commerce demonstrating
against the reconciliation Of silver, after
which the silver bill came up for consid-
GRAFTON.
MIR. Davis of West Virginia, favored
the bill
Mr.. Davis argued that it was unconsti-
tutional to drmonetize silver. The con-
stitution recognized both gold and silver az
the legal standard. If Congress could
demontize silver it could demonetize gold
also, and then we would be without coin
Who could tell what evils might follow :?
He then referred to arguments heretofore
made in the senate against paying bonds
in silver and contended that it would be a
violation of the contract to pay the bonds
in gold alone or in silver alone. The con-
tract called for their payment in coin and
congress had no right to change the con-
tract either in favor of the debtor or
creditor
Mr.. Salisbury said he gave his support
TO the bill, though he was not sure it
would give to the country dollar equal in
value to the gold Idollar. Should it be
found insufficient further legislation could
be had. He believed the passage OF this
bill would decrease the purchasing power
of gold and would add to the value OF
every species of property in the country.
He did not believe its passage would i'm
pair the rights Of any. He considered i
to be his duty to protect the rights of the
capitalist as well as those OF the poor man
He believed the passage Of the bill would
assist in relieving the distress now pre-
Vailing throughout the country and woul(
counteract to some extent the contraction
Of currency, but it would not give all th'
relief expected.
Mr.. Coke said be would vote for the bill
as it came from the house of representa-
tives. He advocated at length the repea
of the specie resumption act, argued tha
tue government was in no condition nov
to resume specie payment. IE was im
practicable on any basis and especially on
gold basis alone.
Mr.. Mcdonald then took the floor, wit
the understanding that he proceed wit
his remarks tomorrow, and the senat
adjourned.
A number of bills were introduced an
referred.
The House then went into committee Q
& the whole, Mr.. Blackburn in the chair
upon the Military Academy appropriate
! bill, the pending amendment being t
strike out sections which allow additions
, pay to First Lieutenants acting as instruct
ors at military institutions. After debat
the amendment was defeated.
NJ A ivop rnOuo1 to apopd ~ rc
duce the pay of cadets from $40 to $500
He criticised the action of the Appropria
ton Committee 10 several of its appropri;
, tions. In conclusion he said that Wes
! Point was an incubus on the people {
, the country. If the people knew fo
what the $275,000 was appropriated annr
ally, in less than thirty days the Hous
. would be flooded with demands to pu
> West Point under the banner, or give
: to New York. and was bold enough to sa
: that be would vote for either proposition
! Mr.. Hewitt, of New York-No doub
;. no doubt. The gentleman coming frol
the State he does. would be glad to gi,
West Point TO any body else. But We
!, Point has vindicated itself in the histor
of the country, and the people will neve
, allow it to go under the hammer or /
. closed up. Applause.
y Mr.. Hanna. tExcitedly)-I think
= would better become the gentleman frol
y New York to answer the arguments of Il
= gentleman from South Carolina, than 4
> mrke the ad cdptanduns appeal of den
: agogue, which SANDERS representatives
the whole southern people Applause {
+, the Democratic side
. Mr. Durham defended the West Poi
= Academy. Congress should stand by
q for it had turned out the best and brave
. men that had ever been seen 10 this
9 other countries. (Applause
= The amendment was rejected. and Will
= out further action the committee rose at
e the House adjourned.