The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-04-29
FoRTY-sIxTH CONGRESS.

six Vet0eS. All tne OCner IIeSAuohItset
vetoes were sustained.
FoRTY-sLXTH CONGRESS.
The Measure for Allowing Heads of De
partments Seats In the Senate and
House Discussed by Pendleton.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 2S.
the Legislative, Executive and Judicial
Appropriation bill was received from the
House and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr.. Williams introduced a bill to regu-
late the legal value of metal money and to
provide for the free and unlimited coinage
of gold and silver bullion and to restore
coin to circulation. Referred.
The bill proposes in its first section to
make all gold and silver coins, including
trade dollars, equally legal tender for all
debts, public and private, to any amounts
and at their nominal value.
The bills next provides thatthe silver
dollar of 4122 troy grains of silver, nine.
tenths fine, shall be the standard unite OF
value. (That all subsidiary coin shall be
exactly proportionate to its weight and
fineness.) That the gold eagle shall con-
sist of 258 troy grains of gold, nine-tenths
fine, and all other gold coins, including a
fifty dollar gold piece, of proportionate
value; that gold and silver bullion be pur-
chased by the United States Mints at mar
ket price, and without restriction as to
amount, and be paid for either in lawful
money or in coin certificates, the deposit
of which shall also be legal tender, and
the resulting coins to be paid out for all
demands on the Treasury, including the
interest on the public debt, as fast as they
can be coined.
The bill also provides: After two hun
dred and fifty millions of silver coin has
been issued, the Treasury Departmentshall
provide for the casting of silver bullion
into bars of ingots and disks of standard
fineness, which shall be full legal tender
for all debts, public and private, at the
rate of 4124 troy grains to the dollar.
Vest introduced bill granting the State
of Missouri lands heretofore granted to FL.
Lewis and Iron Mountain r. r. company
and repeating SO much of the act as places
alimitation on grant.
Pendleton introduced bill to increase
educational facilities and establish normal
training schools for the benefit of the In
dian tribes who have educational claims
on the United States. Referred.
House Joint resolution to repeal extra
clauses in sundry civil appropriation act
of March Sd, 1879. Passed. 1t makes ap-
preparations for extension of military tele-
graph lines in Montana and Texas and re-
retary of the War to lease water power at
Moline. to Moline Water Power Company.
The bill giving seats on floor of Senate
and House to heads of the department
was taken up:andPendleton made speech
in its advocacy.
Mr.. Peudleton said that this measure ap-
pealed to no partisan susceptibility. 1t
awakened no party spirit. 1t touched the
relations of two great powers in the Sen
ate and sought to improve their methods
of communication with each other.
After explaining the bill Mr.. Pendleton
made a strong constitutional argument
defining the relations of the Cabinet to the
Executive and the legislative branches,
and showing the presence of the Cabinet
them were contemplated by the founders
of the Government and one perfectly
within the powers of Congress to ordain.
The convenience and benefits of the pro-
posed change were considered at some
length.
The bill, he said, proposed change OF
methods only, not of powers. IT the Sec
retary should refuse to obey this law, the
power of impeachment would suffice to
punish him, even if it could not coerce
obedience, as in all other cases of official
delinquency.
Mr.. Clay secuted the idea that the de-
partments were a part of the constitu-
tional Executive. He declared they were
creatures of Congressional enactments,
and therefore were absolutely bound to
obey its provisions. Professor Lieber de-
clared that while members Of Congress
cannot be made heads of departments, yet
that heads of departments can be
admitted to the floor with the right
OF debate. Judge Storey, with that
fulness of learning and copious ell
oquence which marks all his works, has
maintained the constitutionality and expe-
diency OF law such as / propose "aping
British ways" l see it sometimes written.
No, it is not British way; it is the way of
government of every civilized nation in
the world which has legislature and ex
eCutive except our own. 1t is the reason
able, intelligent, progressive way-(the
way of improved legislation. No nation
has ever abandoned it for the old way).
More than a farmer has given up the
mower and reaper for the scythe and
sickle.
The conclusion of his remarks were
greeted with applause.
Mr.. Morrill, said the departments were
not creatures of Congress to be expand
ed at will, but were created by the Con-
stitution The trainers of the Constitu-
ton were particular in providing against
mingling the Executive with legislative
functions, and those who passed the law
organizing the Treasury Department were
Jealous in guarding against such result.
Mr.. Morrell argued that it would be in
expedient to pass this bill, saying among
other things, American Legislators were
not so dull and unambitious that they
could not initiate and pass measures with
out calling on and asking aid OF the heads
OF departments. 1t was no argument in
favor of the bill that foreign governments
admitted their cabinet officers to their de-
liberations. We should adhere to methods
known to free government, and not
adopt those observed in monarchies.
One of the most serious dangers to be ap-
pretended from such legislation as was
now proposed, was law and forcible
method of changing the principle of our
government by a change OF rule.
Mr.. Pendleton moved that his bill be
laid on the table to be called up hereafter.
Agreed to.
The Senate took up and passed the bill
providing for the publication of a supple
ment to the revised statutes.
The bill to prevent the introduction of
contagious or infectious diseases into the
United States, was then taken up, pend
ing which the Senate went into executive
session, and when the doors were reopen
ed, adjourned.
Railroad Bridge Gone.
LITTLE Rock, April 2s.-The Iron Noun
tain railroad bridge across Red river, at