The Portland daily press., 1879-05-19
xLvICONGRESS-1ST SESSION
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Nav /


The Senate resumed the legislative appro-
priation bill. Among the amendments agreed
to was one by Mr.. voorhees, from the joint
committee on the library, appropriating So
600 for the purchase of works of art.
Mr.. Kernanfor Mr.. Bayard who has been
called from the city, offered an amendment by
the committee on finance, appropriating S20,
600 for diplomatic and consular service, to be
expended at the discretion of the President.
The reason for this is that there is move
ment IN Europe with view to arrange for
bi-metallic standard, and it might be thought
representative to take part in the proceeding
Inc amendment was agreed to-
A spirited colloquy occurred between
Messrs. Salisbury, Window and Conkling.
The former asserted that troops were sent into
Delaware to interfere with the elections, and
asked Mr.. Window how much it cost now to
maintain troops in the South at the times of
elections, to which Mr.. Window replied that
it cost five thousand million dallars from 1861
to 1866.
Mr.. Salisbury denied the statement made
by Mr. Conkling sometime since, that the
government of Delaware thanked the Federal
government for sending troops to that State to
prevent the polls being captured by rebels.
Mr.. Conkling in reply read from official
documents attesting the truth of his statement.
Mr.. Salisbury referred to Gen. Schenck s
action i'll Delaware in 1862, and animadveted
sharply upon his alleged conduct in England
Mr.. Conkling showed that Gen. Schenck
was endorsed by President Lincoln as to his
acts in Delaware.
Mr.. Edmunds stated that investigation
proved that the charges against his course in
England were groundless
Mr.. Logan defended Schenck as patriot.
Mr.. Salisbury said Delaware was loyal to
the Union, and that if he had known Schenck
was ill he would have not referred to him.
Senate went into executive session and ad-
iourned.
The House resumed the bill to amend the
law relating to the transfer of cases from the
state to the United States Courts.
Mr.. McLane concluded the argument in fa-
Mr.. Warner opposed his bill which went
over till Tuesday.
The Honse resumed the bill to amend the
statutes relating to gold and silver coinage and
bullion certificates, the question being on the
third section and amendments thereto. The
first amendment was by Mr.. Belford of Cali
fornia, contining the privilege of free coinage
to silver mined in the United States.
Mr.. Springer spoke in favor of his amend
ment, after which Belford's amendment was
offered. 1t would put into the treasury the
difference between the bullion and coin value
of silver and keep it ever as trust fund for the
people, (Applause on the Republican side.)
Mr.. Lounsberry opposed the bill as tending
to embarrass the national finances, which were
now III a nealtny cOnQlt1On.
Mr.. Buckner opposed Mr.. Sprlnger's amend
ment as an insidious proposition utterly de-
Structive of the whole theory on which the bill
was founded.
Mr.. Newburry opposed the bill 1t was not
based upon facts but upon theories, opinions
and guesses of the widest kind.
Mr.. Belford's amendment was lost.
Mr.. Ewing offered an amendment to Mr..
Springer's amendment providing that the Sec
retary of the Treasury shall issue and deliver
to the depositor of silver bullion certificates to
an amount equal to the value of such bullion,
and that the silver dollars coined from such bull
lion to the extent of 40 per cent. of such certi-
fcates, be held for redemption thereof and the
remainder be applied to the payment of the in
terest and principal of the public debt. Ger
tiicates so issued are to be received at par for
all dues to the United States and be used in
payment of the current expenses of the gov
ernment, and are to be redeemable in standard
silver dollars
Mr. Cannon favored Springer's amendment
because it would give the profits of coinage to
the government and not to holders of bullion.
Mr.. Bayne denounced the whole bill as
to subserve the interests of any class of people
except bondholders and producers of silver bull
lion.
Mr.. Marsh argued against any change in the
standard ofvalue and asserted that today the gold
dollar really represented one dollar and fifteen
cents and the standard silver dollar represent
ed one dollar This assertion was applauded
by Mr.. Warner, but the laugh turned against
him by the next assertion OF Mr.. Marsh that
the demonetization of silver had been a crime
and fraud, and the third section of this bill
was another fraud because it was giving bullion
holders an advantage of II per cent daughter
and applause on the Republican side.) He
would like to see the Democratic party going
before the people in 1880 in advocacy of that
section. 1t would be buried so deep that the
horn of Gabriel would not resurrect it.
Mr.. Garfield opposed the bill and said what
the country needed above all things was for
Congress to go home.
Mr.. Ewings amendment was adopted the
Speaker casting the deciding vote amid ap-
plause on the Democratic side.
Mr.. Springeri amendment as amended by
Mr.. Ewing was then rejected and the House
at 4.40, on motion of Mr.. Clymer, adjourned
until Tuesday.