The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-17
CONGRESS YESTERDAY.
THE HOUSE LOSES ANOTHER DAY IN
CONSEQUENCE OF RADICAL
FILIBUsTERuNG.

CONSEQUENCE OF RADICAL
FILIBUsTERuNG.
Brazilian Mail service-Army Reform
Discussion of the Bill to Repeal
the Resumption Act.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Mr. Maxey, from
the COMMITTEES on Postoffices and Roads, re-
ported the bill to re-establish an ocean Z. mail a
steamship service between the United States
and Brazil. Placed on the calendar.
MIR. Butler, OF South Carolina, offered
resolution providing for q commission OF two
members of the Senate Military Committee,
two members of the House Military Commit
tee, to be designated by the Speaker, and
three officers Of the regular army, who have
served not less than ten years, to be designa-
ferred all matters relating to the reform and
reorganization Of the army; such commits
sion to meet as early as practicable, and re-
port to Congress on the first day of the next
regular session of Congress. Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs
MI. Anthony called up the concurrent reso-
luton from the House to print 100000 copies
Of the report OF the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture for 1877, with the Senate amendment to
reduce the number Of copies to 100000, and
increasing the number of pages from 500
to 600, and with further amendments pro-
viding for the printing OF 1855 copies of the
colonial charts and constitution OF the United
States, compiled 1nder the direction Of the
Senate Pending Che discussion the morning
hour expired, and the regular order was de-
nanded.
Mr. Matthews was recognized, but yielded
for the further consideration OF the resolution
number Of copies 100000 of 900 pages each,
and to provide for the printing Of the colo
NAL charts and constitution of the United
states as proposed by the Senate.
MT. kirkwood moved an amendment pro-
viding for the printing OF 100000 copies of the
report OF the Commissioner Of Agriculture
on diseases OF hogs and other domestic an
imals.
Mr.. Cockrell said the number Of pages in
the regular report had been increased to 600
In order to include that report fully, and with
illustrations.
Mr.. Kirkwood withdrew his amendment,
and the resolution as previously amended was
agreed to-
Mr.. Matthews then addressed the Senate
upon the bill for the repeal of the resumption
act, advocating the substitute for tn bill pro-
posed by him, which provides for the reissue
OF legal tenders redeemed SO that the amount
low $3.50, 100000. The notes are not to be re-
deemed until the reserve fund In coin amounts
to $10O, 100000, and may be suspended when
such reserve fund is reduced below $50, 100000.
duction OF reserve, holders Of notes may re-
ceive 4 per cent bonds issued under the act of
July IA, 1870, and notes shall be so received
until the reserve fund has again reached $780,
100000. 1t Is further proposed that legal ten
ders notes may be received for bonds at their
par value In gold, and premium of half
of per cent to pay the cost of preparation
OF such bonds, and may be paid out for the
purchase OF bonds or coin for their redemp-
tion, and the legal tenders now outstanding
or hereafter to be issued, and all reserves
shall continue to be lawful money and legal
tender for all debts and dues, public and pri-
vate, within the United States. excepting pay
4. Ct the principle and interest on the pub
Mr.. Matthews argued that Congress had
constitutional authority to issue notes and to
suppress the issue OF any other paper curren-
cy. On the propriety OF issuing such cur
vQred the retirement Of treasury notes and
system Of free banking, and others fluctua-
ton OF values by the increase or decrease of
the volume of the currency. This latter plan
he considered impracticable.
Mr.. Matthews took the ground that it was
not to contraction that the distress in the |
country was due, and cited tho fact of the de-
preston in England to show this. He also
said that the greatest contraction was be-
tween 1866 and 1863, since which The contrac- |
ton had been very trifiing. repeal of the
act would not bring relief, but in
crease distress by creating an uncertainty of
values. What was needed was to supplement
the present law so as to provide for not only
permanency OF redemption.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr..
Matthews formally proposed his substitute |
as an amendment to the bill.
Mr.. Hill said the gentleman had used the
that was being used throughout the
country. The argument that Mr.. Calhoun
was the father OF the greenback system. He
said Mr.. Calhoun never in his life advocated |
treasury notes; never intended that they |
should be used for any other purposes than |
the transactions OF the government, or that |
they should be received by any body except |
for the government and further, he proposed |
that they should be redeemed in specie.
There was no idea on his part that any body
receive them. He quoted from Mr. Calhoun
that the government could do but little to re-
lieve the distress OF the people.
Economy, industry and time must be relied |
upon to restore prosperity. The growing crops
were more to be relied upon than any legisla-
ing made responsible for any unlimited ire
spOnsible paper currency.
Mr.. McCreery introduced bill to incor-
porate the Army and Navy Life Insurance
Company of the District OF Columbia. Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Ingalls,. from the Committee on the
District OF Columbia, reported substitute
for the House bill to provide permanent
government for the District of Columbia
Ordered printed, and placed on the calendar.
The Senate then, on motion OF Mr.. Sargent,
at 1886 p. m. adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Potter demanded the regular order, and
The question was upon seconding the demand
for the previous question on the investigation
resolution.
On rising vote SO voted, and the point was
made that there was no quorum, and tellers
ordered, when SO voted IN the affirmative
Mr. Potter demanded a call of the House.