The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-05-26
xLvICoNGREss-1sT SESSION
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May q

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May "a.
The night session of the House was attended
with the usual scenes. The Sergeant-at-Arms
was ordered to arrest absent members and as
usual either found them sick or could not
find them at all.
Mr.. Murch moved that absentees be brought
before the bar of the House before II O'Clock
Monday but was defeated
AT 6 a. m. Mr.. White moved that Mr.. War
ner proceed to close debate on the silver
The Speaker said that the debate was not in
order.
During the night Mr.. McCook was brought
IN by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and in making
excuse admitted that he was in contempt Of
tine Rouse and added that he felt contempt for
it and sodid the whole country. The Democrats
got angry at this remark and Mr.. McCook
apologized by explaining that he used the
word contempt" in a Pickwickiam sense
Finally at o'clock Mr.. Reagan offered n
compromise which seemed satisfactory to both
sides. 1t was that the amendment of Mr..
Reagan of Kansas, De received and regarded
as pending and that then the previous question
be seconded on the bill and amendment, and
the vote be taken at O'clock
The Republicans refused to vote on the
seconding the previous question and Mr..
Reagans proposition fell through
The House adjourned at o'clock to meet
at noon
legislative bill was sent to the Senate for
signatures.
The House then took up the bill for trans
ferring court cases.
1t was then found that there was no quorum,
and the morning hour expired without any
progress ON the bill.
Post route bill was then passed and the silver
bill taken up
Mr. Reagan's substitute was rejected and voto
was then taken on the passage of the bill.
Tho Ota xya IA tO
Messrs. Reed, Frye and Lindsey of Maine
voted against the bill aud Messrs Ladd and
Murch for it.
The following is a summary of the provi-
Sions:
It fixes the weight of the standard silver
dollar at 412a grains 1t authorizes the owner
of silver bullion to deposit the same at any
mint to be formed into bars or standard
dollars dollars, and makes charges for coming such
value in New York and legal tender value of
coin. 1t makes subsidiary silver coin ex-
changeable at the Treasury for legal tender
money to the amount of 800. 1t makes the
standard silver dollar legal tender in all pay
ments at their nominal value. 1t requires the
Treasury to pay out silver coin without dis
elimination the same as gold coin in liquida-
ton OF all kinds OF coin obligations against the
government. 1t authorizes the issue of certi-
fcates to depositors of gold or silver coin or
bullion. 1t also authorizes the issue of certif-
Gates representing coin in the Treasury in
the payment of interest on public debt, both
classes of certificates to be receivable in pay
ment of duties on imports. Certificates for
bullion deposited are to be for its average
market value in coin, like metal, during the
preceding week in New York and San
Francisco. Gold and silver bullion deposited
is to be coined to full capacity of mints in con-
nection with other coinage, and if bullion
deposited for coinage does not amount to 49,
100000 per month the Treasury is to purchase
sufficient silver bullion to coin that amount.
The act is not to be construed as authorizing
the coinage of silver except into standard
dollars.
The passage of the bill was greeted by hand
clapping on the Democratic side.