Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
TIE EILLIB LISTERS STILL OBSTRUCT
ING BUSINESS
Democrats Only Five Short of Quorum
No Backing Dowp From the Position
Pirate Sherman Denies Everything
Speech by Senator Matthews on Finance
ObseCuies of Prof. Joseph Henry.
Senate.

speech by Senator Matthews on Finance
Obseouies of Prof Joseph Henry.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Maxey, from
the committee on postoffices and post roads
reported, without amendments, the Senate bill
to provide for the establishment of steamshi,
mail service between the United States aul
Brazil, being the bill introduced by Senate
Eustis yesterday. Placed on the calendar. 81,
gave notice that he would ask the Senate t
consider the bill at the earliest possible date
consistent with the business of the Senate.
Senator Butler of South Carolina submitted
concurrent resolution providing for com
mission consisting Of two Senators, three mem.
bers of tho House and three officers of the reg.
ular army, who have served not less than ten
years, to whom shall be referred the whole sub.
)ect OF reform and reorganization of the army,
the commission to assemble soon as prac-
tlcable and report to the next session of Con-
gress through the President of the United
States. 1t also appropriates So, 900 to defray
the expenses of the commission. Referred.
At the conclusion of the morning business
the Senate resumed consideration of the bill to
repeal the specie resumption act and Senator
Matthews read an argument upon the general
notice that he would afterward submit a prom
osition of his own, an amendment to the pend
ing bill.
Senator Comeron (Wisconsin) presented a
letter from the (de tncto) secretary Of the in
terror in regard to bill to aid tho Winnebaeo
Indians in Wisconsin to obtain subsistence by
agricultural pursuits, and to promote their
civilization. Bill and letter referred.
Senator Thurman submitted resolution
calling upon the (de Jtcto) secretary Of the
ind nrrYo nfY< In, lo%l
ecy, if any, exists to the prejudice of Thomas
Worthlngton's claim mentioned in the reports
OF the third auditor, and the reason for such
discrepancy. Agreed to.
Senator Cockrell introduced bill to give
the recorder of deeds in the District of Column
bia regular salary instead of fees, and pro-
vidlng that he be a resident of the District.
Referred.
Senator Hamlim submitted, by request, a
resolution for the relief of certain employees
OF the United States government in the Dis
trict of Columbia. Referred to the District
committee.
The House joint resolution to print 80, 900
copies of the colonial charters and constitu-
tlons was passed after considerable discussion.
Senator Matthews referred to the provisions
of section 1878, Of the revised statutes, and
said they were consistent with those of the
specie resumption act Of July IA, 1873. There
was nothing in either forbidding the reissue
of notes redeemed in accordance Herewith.
When Congress intended the absolute extinc-
tlon Of redeemed currency, language was used
which could not be mistaken. He quoted
from various acts of Congress IN support of
this view, but favored an express provision
of the law Oh the subject being
made now to remove any doubt which might
exist. He then spoke to the constitutional
power ct Congress to issue paper money, and
said he believed it to be the duty as we'll as tho
exclusive right of the government to furnish
to the people national currency, and if the
government could not do it through the medium
ct national banks, it might do it by the issue
of its notes. He saw no reason why repre-
sentatives of the people in Congress might not
tc 4~,.Sted with tho responsibility Of regulat-
Ing the volume Of currency for the nation. If
resumption of specie payment meant the re-
demption and reissue Of treasury notes, he was
IN favor Of it; but it; on the contrary, it meant
notes, then he was opposed to it. In whatever
direction Congress moved it should take but
one step, and not take another until tho effect
OF the first should he experienced. The ques.
ton as to whether legal tender national bank
notes should be done away with, could well be
isting currency should be made as good and
kept as COOL as could be. The desirable thing
was to maintain tie national currency US
steady as the needle TO the pole. The evils
under which the country has been suffering
might be summed up in two words, ''unem-
meant unemployed labor. Our currency has
appreciated, but public opinion had forced
this government to treat its currency with
respect and honor. What needed was not
the repeal of the specie resumption act, but to
provide for the beginning of resumption, and
to steadily maintain it. He fa-
vored coin reserve fund
and expressed the opinion that under ordinary
circumstances such fund of one hundred
million dollars would be sufficient to maintain
mir ,lat,< <,F h,,,,l ,,~I
dollars. He then explained the amendment in
tho nature of a substitute which he proposed
for the pending bill, being the bill introduced
by him on November 6th last, providing for
tho reissue OF treasury notes when redeemed
the amount Of legal tender notes outstanding
at any time not to exceed three hundred and
fifty million dollars. It further provides for
coin fund of one hundred million
dollars; that bonds Of the United States shall
be sold for legal tender notes; and also that
legal tender notes shall be receivable for all
debts, public and private, except the principal
and interest of the public debt.
In conclusion he said, after the most careful
and anxious examination of the subject, he
submitted this for settlement of the question
Of such great Importance to the public welfare.
He moved it be adopted as substitute for the
bill reported by the committee on finance.
Pending discussion the bill to repeal the
specie resumption act was laid aside.
Senator Ingalls,, from the committee on the
District of Columbia, reported substitute for
the House bill providing permanent form of
government for the District of Columbia.
Placed on calendar.
He gave notice he would call it up for con-
sideration on Monday next.
Adjourned.
House Of Representatives..
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Immediately after
reading the journal of yesterday Mr.. Potter