New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-03
PLAYING OUT THE FARCE.

TIE FUNDING BILL PASSED by THE HoUsE-lhE
REJECTED AMENDMENTS INCORPORATED IN a
SUPPLEMENTAL BILL-A VETO MESSAGE LOOKED
FOR TO-DAY.
Try TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON. March 2.-The Democratic major
ity in the House OF Representatives has at last
canned the climax of its absurdities Late this af-
ternoon Il rejected by vote Of 127 to ii the last
amendment proposed by the Committee OF Ways
and Means to the Funding bill. Within an hour
.ftervard the same majority, before the Funding
hill had been enrolled signed by the Speaker and
Vice-Presdent, passed, under suspension OF the
rules. without division. bill supplementary TO
the Funding bill. This Supplementary bill is de-
signed and entitled: "An act to amend the Funding
Acr of 1897 1t contains three sections and en-
bodies all of the amendments proposed by the ways
and Means Committee to the Funding DILL
With ak or eight exceptions the Democratic
oembers Of the House have been engaged for the
last two DAYS in voting down the identical PROPOSE
tions which they rushed through with hurrah to-
NIGHT after scant half hour of debate The first
section of the Supplementary bill embodies the
amendment proposed by the Ways and Means Com
mittee 10 the amendment of the Senate to the irst
section of the Funding bin. The effect OF this sup
Elementary section will be to expunge the pro rata
and preference provisions proposed by the Senate IN
relation to subscriptions to the new bonds and TO
uroyide that first subscribers shall be first served
and To the full amount of their subscriptions large
or small When the House voted on this PROPOSE
t,on first last night as an amendment to the fund-
inc bill all the Democrats except seven voted
against it. -
RE second section of the "afterthought embodies
The recommendations of the Ways and Means Com
mittee which authorize the Secretary OF the Treas
ury to nav out from time to time $50 OOO 600 OF the
standard gold ard silver coin in the Treasury IN the
purchase of FIVE and six por cent bonds, and also
authorizes that officer to use the surplus money III
the Treasury in the purchase of any United States
bonds or Treasury notes without charging the pur-
chases to the Sinking Fund. The third section en-
bodies the amendment proposed by the ways aud
Means Committee to the fifth section of the original
bill. 1t provides that nothing In the Funding act
sha be construed to repeal or modify those sections
uf tbe Revised Statutes which provide that Ma
ioual bank may 20 into voluntary hquldation' ahd
by depositng lawful moneys for the redemption Of
s circulating notes. may secure the return of its
bonds. This proposition was rejected as an amend
nent to the Funding bill itself by vote OF 127 to
ia and nearly every Democrat in the House re-
serded his vote against it.
In the course of the afternoon there wasa wrangle
over the admission of Mr.. Conger's amendment 70
the fifth section of the Funding bill. MIR. Congers
proposition strike out OF the fifth section the
provision 10 repeal the fourth section OF the Act OF
June 20, 1874 which act permits National banK
TO retire part the whole of its circulation ana
withdraw corresponding amonnt of its bonds by
depositing lawful moneys for the redemption OF its
notes. Ayote was finally taken on Mr.. Congers
sfnenduent sndit was rejected by 1872 nays to III
yeas lhe only Democratic who voted in the afirma-
i've were Aessrs. FELTON, of Georgia, Morse of Mass
schusefts Wels OF Missouri, Clark and Ross of New
jersey Bliss and Hutchins Of New York. and Beltz
hoover and Ryan Of Pennsylvania. The only Re-
publican who voted In the negative was Mr.. Marsh
Of Illinois. Mr.. Kelley Of Pennsylvania did not vote.
The discussion upon the point Of order raised by
Ar. Springer against Mr.. Congers amendment. and
sffsrward withdrawn, took very wide range. Mr..
Carlisle defended the fifth section, which he said
had been widely misconstrued and misrenresented.
III. Weaver, OF Iowa. told how 200 National
bsnken came to Washington last night and feastsd
IN anticipation Of the defeat Of the Funding bill
NJ. Bedford, OF Colorado-whose homo IL in the
setting sun-iDdulged In some aorid remarks in the
eourse Of which he declared that, for one. he was
not to bs influenced By an unholy alliance between
Che National banks and the stock.jobbers Of wall
Rsst' M. Frye made very oogent though brief
s ggunsnt against the fifth section and In favor Of
+ ~ Cmger's amendment.
4 Whsn the supplementary bill was offered by Mr..
Nr. Lspham rsised 0 point Of order against
= weA he said, bill to amend another bill
Asd not yet become Q law. 1t proposed to