Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-13
House.

WASHINGTON, February Philosophers, from the
Coinage Committee, reported bill relative 10 the
metric system of coinage. Referred. lit provides
for the coinage of the stella metric gold coin OF
the value Of 81, for the coinage of goloid metric
do lars two dollars and fractions of dollar also,
the coinage OF metric gold double eagles, eagles and
half eagles also, standard values for the mntage of
ingots OF metric gold alloy its deposit in the Treas
ury and the issuance of certificates therefor; for
making ingots OF fine gold and OF silver of the
value of 500 each for export, etc. for the coinage
OF silver dollars and fractions thereof of the full
standard value on the metric system.l
resolution adopted authorizing the Secre-
tary of the Treasury TO furnish States for the
of Agricultural Colleges, one set OF standard weights
and measur S.
Willis, from the Education Committee, reported a
resolution asking the President for information
speeding the pending negotiations for change Of
the treaty between the United States and China.
Adopted.
After the morning hour the House went into
Committee of the Whole on revision Of the rules.
Blackburn offered amendment to the first
clause of rule 81, relative TO the reading of bills
Adopted.
White offered as a new clause to the same rule the
following " The general appropriation bills shall
embrace nothing but appropriations for the ord-
nary expenses of the different departments of the
Government and the interest the public debt
All other appropriations shall be made by bills
tanning only items Of appropriation relative to the
subject matter OF the bill" He spoke in favor of
the amendment, which would make it impossible
for an appropriation committee to legishte on ap-
priation bills.
Conger pointed out the inconsistency which men,
bers from the South had shown in voting for the
famous rule 120, which permitted legislation to be
placed upon appropriation bills, inasmuch as the
Constitution of the Confederacy prevented any such
legislation That Constitution was in direct opposi
tion TO the votes OF every man from the South. As
TO the propriey and expediency Of that rule it had
become necessary for the present Speaker to ask his
Southern friends to change their views and sustain
him in changing the old rules of the House. He
looked upon the action of the Speaker, when he
placed himself at the head of the whole Confederate
army in the House, and compelled them to ignore
the action of their wisest and best men, and follow
him. as the grandest triumph which a Northern
man gained over the Brigadier Generals of the
House.
Randall was not familiar with the Confederate
Constitution, but he said he believed there was no
such clause as Conger had stated. He was proud to
lead the army of the Forty fourth Congress, regard
less of where they came from, in regard to economy
IApplause.l
After some further sharp-shooting, Goode urged
the proprety of the rule from the point of safety in
time of need 1t was right to withhold appro-
priatons in of bad legislation The rule had
permitted the majority to repeal the laws allowing
the use of tr ops at the polls, and accomplished
saving of SS0,G0n,0O0 in one year, and put white
jurors in the box where colored had been almost
clusively.
Reed reminded Goode that in his enumeration OF
the varied benefits which had resulted to the
country from the rule he had forgotten to emu
merate the greatest beneft-the extirpatiOn of the
Democratic party, which to occur the next time
that the people of the United States had oppor-
tunity TO pass upon it, lAppause.l 1t showed the
people what that party was so eager to do, and
what it would do whenever it had the power, and
the result of erring of the Democratic party before
the country was always great and interesting
benefit TO the people.
Springer called the attention of the House to the
fact that Garfield had few years ago been at the
head of the Committee on Appropriations and that
when he held that position $50 sections of legisa-
ton had been placed upon the appropriation bills
There had never been time when legislation had
not been placed on the appropriation bills and he
thought it Just and righteous way of egislating
The House must not give up this rule.
White withdrew his amendment, and allowed
Spear to Introduce making in order to insert
less sum OF money for greater in bills. He was
above partisan considerations. He depicted the
anarchy, reputation, despotism and slavery which
would ensue il the appropriation bills faile4 lap
Hawey quoted from State Legislatures, showing
that % out OF IS prohibited legislation appropri-
alton bills.
Cox supported the rule as a means of repeating by
riders laws which had been enacted by riders, and
for repeating obnoxious legislation. He was by no
means sure that the Democrats would be beaten, as
Reed had predicted.
Speer withdrew his amendment and Lowe
offered an amendment prohibiting any partisan
amendment TO the appropriation bills, and favored
Garfield offered an amendment that it may be in
in order TO strike out n of mona y from an ap-
preparation bill and insert less sum. He offered
it regardless of party or minority or majority, but
as plain business work
Mcmahon thought that the young member (Speer)
ought to shake in his boots to find the Republicans
standing sponsor for his amendment.
Speer said he young, but was OF number
whose foes cease with their youth laughter.
Mcmahon urged his party not TO give up this rule.
1t was substantially giving up their cause in the
next Presidential election, being virtual confess
sion of the failure of economy. He was surprised
at the unanimty of the Republicans. 1t was one of
the worst parties ever in power The rule pro-
vided First, that legislation must be germane
second that it should retrench expenditures. He
was proud that the Democrats supported it.
Garfields amendment was rejected-122 to III.
Speer's substitute again offered and Warner
offered the following amendment TO that substitute
Section 3. No appropriation shall be reported in
any general appropriation bill, BE- in order an
amendment thereto for any expenditure not previ-
ously authorized by law, ualess in continuation of
an appropriation for such public works and objects
as already in progress shall any portion of
such bill, amendment thereto changing an exist
ing law be in order, except that it shall be in order
to reduce the amounts of money provided for by the
existing law and covered by the bill, and to that
tent only to change the law.
He declared himself opposed to any proposition
which would deprive the House of its control Of the
appropriation bills, but on the other hand he con-
ceded that to make use Of threat to withhold APP
preparations was entirely unjustifiabe. Applause
on the Republican sde.l
Warmers amendment was then agreed to-l23 to
54-and the question required on Speers substitute,
as amended, pending which the committee rose and
the House adjourned.