The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-16
Senator Conkling in Defence Of
the Removed officials.
FINANCIAL MEASURES IN THE HOUSE.
Bill Psssed Making Greenbacks
Receivable for Customs.
THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAUCUS.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1879.
THE PERILs OF REsUMPTIoN--A BILL MAKING
LEGAL TENDERS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS
Z. DUTIES PASSED By THE HOUSE.
The frail tenure on which resumption, so called,
hangs and the predatory attacks to which it must be
constantly exposed until the Legal Tender act is
either repealed declared unconstitutional,
shown this evening in the House. A bill
ported from the Ways and Means Committee making
greenbacks receivable for customs duties under all
circumstances. As it seemed likely to pass by a
very large majority. composed alike of repub
licans and democrats. General Garfield undertook
to call attention to its exact meaning and purpose by
moving an amendment making them receivable for
customs duties only while they are redeemed in
coin. His amendment did not specify gold coin. b,t
CON- and included silver with gold, and yet. mild
and almost ridiculously IL it received only
II votes and the original bill passed by large
majority Of both parties Some Of those who
voted for it excused themselves on the ground that
resumption is accomplished fact and that the bill
authorizes only what Is already done. But the plain
factis that, whether resumption hits misses, the
greater number of men in both parties are detcr.
mined that the shall accept its notes for
customs duties.
The spirit which prevails here in both parties
garding resumption makes the earnest friends of
sound currency see that nothing is really settled in
this matter until the government notes deprived
Of the legal tender quality. The House also pessed
the bill creating what is substantially postal ssvings
bank. allowing deposits of SO upward to be con-
verified in of 800 into four per cent bonds. The
Secretary of the Treasury expects it is sad to sell
under this bill and through the general demand not
less than hundred and fifty millions Of four per
cents during the present calendar year.
LUTON BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
ADDITIONAL RESOLUTIONS SUGGESTED.
The committee appointed by the democratic eau
Gus this morning to consider the peace and good
will resolution Of Judge Edmunds contains several
Southern members. and 1t is said that these and
other Southern mon urge that they nothing OBJ
jcconabe in the first resolution, which declares tho
last three amendments valid, In fact Of
them propose an additional resolution that twice two
make four. that If you take three from six three
will remain and that the whole country is interested
In seeing these plain facts generally recognized It
Ia supposed however, that thcse additional resolu-
tions would be offensive to Senators Voorhees, and
Jones. of Nevada. containing covert
hit at fiat money and tho dollar Of tho
fathers. As to the second resolution of Mr..
Edmunds. lit is said that so far as it
proposes constitutional action ii is unobjectonablc
but That IL Ia 80 loosely worded AZ TO open the door
to very wild legislation. 1t is suggested that Mr. Ed
munds who generally writes very conpactly. was so
anxious in this to get into . small compass q
very large sized spread eagle that his resolution
tains more words than distinct meaning. Thee
Gus committee will probably. prepare some counter
resolutions. among them one intended to draw the
attention of the republicans more to the Test
Oath law. under which. fourteen years after tho
close of the war. man whoIserved in the Confcder-
ate armies ia not allowed to cit jury in .
federal court. 1t is remarked that under this re-
narkable law Senator or Representative may vote
to pass law which aferward lie is incapable of sit
ting jury to enforce.
II looks little though under the leadership of
the ingenious Mr. Edmunas both parties will spend
large part of the remainder Of the session in tho
Senate in "agsravating each other It is perhaps
useful employment the Senators have for the
present.