The Portland daily press., 1882-01-20
XLVII tn Congress-1st Session
SENATE.

"a SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.
Or motion Of Mr.. Davis of Illinois the bill
to permit Judge Hunt of the Supreme Court
to retire, was passed, Al to IA.
The President pro tenn submitted response
of the Secretary of the Interior to the resolu-
tion of the 18th inst. inquiriDg into the lapsing
of land grants to the Northern Pacific Railroad
and in connection Herewith as to the action of
ex-Secretary Schurz etc. Referred to the COM
mittee on judiciary.
Consideration of the Sherman funding bill
was then resumed. Mr.. Window proceeded to
oppose the bill as unnecessary, experimental
and likely to involve the government in loss
He regarded the debt as in better condition
with the entire $550,00O 600 payable anytime
at the option of the government at 81 per cent
than it would be with $200,000000 payable at
the end of five years at per cent
Mr. Hill of Georgia said there was no such
thing in existence as 81 per cent. bonds and
charged that the action of Mr.. Window as
Secretary of the Treasury in contin uing the 3
and per cent bonds at 81 per cent. was an
usurpation of legislative functions and that any
arrangement between the executive depart
ment and creditors of the government which
changed any of the terms of the bonds issued by
authority of law not only voidable but void
Mr.. Window admitted there was no such
thing as 81 per cent. bonds in law. The bond
holders simply took piece of paper with an
endorsement upon it or that they would not ask
more than 81 per cent interest and would
waive the other d. Nothing has either been
added to or subtracted from the bonds, but the
government simply let them run on and the
holder agrees to relinguiSh interest in excess
of 81 per cent.
Mr. Hill-Suppose one of the holders of
bonds comes in now and demands his 5 or 6 per
cent, could he get it?
Mr.. Windom-I think not.
Mr. Hill-Why not?
Mr.. Windom-He has reiinquished all over
81 per cent. for good and valuable cousidera-
tions, namely: permission to continue his
bonds at the time when the government could
pay it off.
Mr.. Hill-When did the government have
$500 100000 with which to pay off the s and 6
per cents.
Mr.. Windom-It did not have enough to pay
$500, 600, 900 but did have enough to pay each
mans $1,000 bond as it was presented.
The bill was laid aside informally.
Adjourned.
Bills were reported from the committe on
claims to refund to the State of Georgia certain
moneys contributed by that state for common
defence in 1877, and reimburse Massachusetts
for certain expenditures for coast defences.
The House resumed the consideration OF the
report of the committee on rules increasing the
membership of several committees.
Mr.. Bedford suggested that all members be
assigned alphabetically to the committees on
ways and means and of appropriations-all
down to letter "N'' going to the former and
the rest to the latter-and then he would pro-
pose that every member be allowed one cleik
and two boot blacks. Uaughter.)
Mr.. King finally withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Randall denied that small committee
was in the public interest and a large commit
tee not Influence is more easily brought to
bear on few members than on many and an
increase of committees will at least secure their
being reported.
A discussion followed between Messrs. Ran
dali, Robinson, Bowman and Briggs when the
latter in response to a query by Mr.. Randall as
to what remedy was proposed to assure
prompt consideration of bills, replied, stop
this everlasting talk and go to work"
After further debate Mr.. Joyce moved to re-
commit the report and all pending amendments
to the committee on rules. Agreed to, yeas 159,
nays 90.
The Speaker presented several messages
from the President in connection with In
dian and army matters. Referred.
Mr.. Spooner of Rhode island regretted that
one of the earliest duties which devolved upon
him was the announcement of the death of the
late Senator Burnside, and on his motion Mon
day next at 3 o'clock was assigned for eulogies
to his memory.
Adiour ned