Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-07
70 RTT-EIFTH CONG RESS,
THURSDAY, February I.

SENAIE.-Durlng the morning hour pcti-
tions relative to commission To inquire into
the alcoholic liquor traffic were presented by
MeSsrs. Dawes, Herman, Morrill,. Wallace and
McfherSOn: relative 10 the tariff bv MeSSrS.
Cameron, Christiancy and Wallace; relative
to the silver bill by Mr.. Dennis; asking the en-
Washington territory by Mr.. Matthews: and
lOf an amendment to the constitution pruhib-
lting the use OF the bible in the public schools,
ny MI. Alilson A number of other petitions
on various subjects We're presented and re
ferTed.
Mr.. Plumb introduced a bill for the relief of
settlers within the limits of railroad grants
and to amend the revised statutes relative to
timber lands and pre-emption entries. Re
ferred.
Mr.. Edmunds offered a resolution directing
the committee on appropriations to inquire
whether adequate provision has been made
for the prompt examination of claimants pa
pers in the Pension bureau and Surgeon GEN
erals office.
Mr.. ingalls, said he hoped an amendment
would be admitted extending the inquiry TO
bureau to the War department. The military
and medical history of every claimant was in
the War department. He had never been able
to understand why this bureau was ever
logically belonged.
Mr.. Edmunds thought that inquiry more
properly properly belonged M:e to the military or pension
committee. With view to secure a prompt
report he thought the inquiry as to clerical
force ought not to be embarrassed with other
questions. The resolution was agreed to
Mr.. Davis lll.) called up the bill to remit
taxes on inSOlvent savings banks.
The amendment of Mr. Rollins. extending
the exemptions of the bill to certain banks
receiving deposits was agreed to. Yeas IS,
nays 2, and the bill was then passed.
Mr.. Hamlin called up the House bill to ex-
tend the provisions of section 5.574 of the Re
NlSed Statutes relative to GuanO Islands. Pend
ing discussion the morning hour expired and
the bill went over.
Mr.: Blaine then addressed the Senate upon
the silver bill He said gold and silver were
the money of the constitution, and that Con-
gresS had no more authority TO demonetize
one than the other, and no more power TO de
mOnetiZe either than both. If Congress had
demonetiZed silver he was in favor Of remOn-
etiZing it.. He offered as Il substitute for the
House bill the following:
l. That the dollar shall contain four hundred
and twenty five grains of standard silver shall
have unlimited coinage, and be an unlimited
legal tender.
2 That all the profits of coinage shall 90 To
the government, and not to the operator in
silver bullion.
8. That silver dollars or silver bullion. as
sayed and mlnt-stamped, may be deposited
with the Assistant Treasurer at New York. for
which coin certificates may be issued, tile
same in denomination as United States notes,
not below ten dollars, and that these shall be
redeemable on demand in coin or bullion thus
furnishing paper circulation based on an ac-
tual deposit of precious metal. giyinguS notes
as yalua BILE as those of the Bank of England
dllu uolHS away ut once WlIil the dreaded
convenience of silver on account of bulk and
weight.
He said Il do not fail, Mr. President, to
recognize that the cOmmittalS and avowalS OF
Senators on this question preclude the hope of
my substitute being adopted. Indeed do not
tail to recognize that on this question am not
i'll line with either extreme: with those who
believe in the single gold standard or with
those who by premature and unWiSe action.
as must regard ii, would force us to the sin
gle silver standard. Either will be found in
my Judgment. a great misfortune to this coun-
try. We need both gold and silver, and we
can have both only by making each the equal
OF the other.
HOCSE-1mmediately after the reading of
the journal, Mr.. Durham demanded the r"gl,-
lar order. and the House resumed cOmsdera-
tlOn of the contested election case of Wiggin-
ton VS.. PachecO from the fourth district of
California.
Mr.. Leonard continued his argument to
show that there was such a reasonable doubt
of the election of either of the claimants that
the case should be sent back to the people.
Me>SrS. keifer. White (Pa..) and Iiscock
argued in favor of Mr.. PachecO as having been
elected by majority Of three or four votes
After further discussion by MesSrS. Hale and
Banks for PachecO. and MeSsrS. Harris (Nal
and Springer in favor of Wigginton, Mr..
Springer demanded the previous question.
which was seconded, after which some time
was occupied in closing debate.