Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

WAsHINGTON, Jan. 30.
During the morning hour Hoa~
read communication from the Com
missioner of Pensions regarding the
application Of soldiers for pensions
not having been acted upon an ac-
count of insufficient clerical force in
the office Of the Surgeon General,
where the hospital records of the ar
my are kept.
Hoar, Edmunds and Ingalls, COM
mented on the action on pension
cases and argued that it was caused
by the democratic party reducing ap-
preparations.
Davis, of w. Va, read from the re.
port of the jerks Committee made
to the House to the effect that three
persons had been detailed from the
pension office to act as clerks of the re.
publican Congressional committee in
this city.
Window, chairman of the Commit.
tee on Appropriations, stated that the
clerical force of the Surgeon Gener-
ais office in 1876 was 166, and it was
then cut down in the general reduc.
tion of that year. However, the force
was increased by detailing 20 enlisted
men for duty in that office.
Pending discussion the morning
hour expired and consideration was
resumed Of the silver bill.
Christiancy submitted an amend
ment in the nature of substitute
providing for the coinage of silver
dollar Of 434 grains, 9-1O pure silver
and Ito alloy, which shall be legal
tender for all debts except when 9TH
erwise provided by law or contract.
1t also authorizes the Secretary of
the Treasury to purchase monthly not
less than $2,OOO,OO0 nor more than
s., 100000 worth of silver bullion to
be coined. This act shall remain in
force but one year. Ordered printed.
Christiancy then spoke on his
amendment.
SENATE.
After the morning hour considera-
tion was resumed Of the silver bill.
Morgan submitted an amendment
to allow the free coinage Of silver by
permitting any holder Of bullion to
deposit at any assay Office or mint in
sums not less than 500 in single
deposit, nor to exceed 100000, dur.
ing calendar month by the same de-
positor, the bullion to be valued at
its market value for legal tenders
the date Of deposit and certificates to
be given the owner, to be paid by the
Secretary of the Treasury in not less
than 30 nor more than 80 days, in le-
gal tender notes or silver dollars at
the option of the government. After
one year the coinage of silver to be
on the same footing in all respects
with the coinage of gold. Ordered
printed.
Booth submitted an amendment to
allow the owner of silver dollars to
deposit them with the Treasurer or
any Assistant Treasurer of the U. s.
and receive certificates, in sums of
not less than $1,000, each certificate to
be engraved as money and to circu-
late in place of silver. The design is
to obviate the inconvenience of sill
yer in commercial transactions. Or
dered printed.
On motion of Bayard further con-
sideration of the silver bill was post
poned until Monday next, with
the understanding that debate
should then be resumed and continu-
ed from day to day until vote shall
be reached. Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l.
Baker, of Indiana, presented charg-
es against the doorkeeper of the
House, reciting that he has on his
roll 63 names more than are author
lied by law and demanding investi-
cation. The subject was entertained
as question of privilege. After a
long discussion the investigation of
the charges was referred to the Com
mittee on Civil Service Reform,