Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-19

Question and Sherman's Funding Bill
Speeches by Senators Brown and Nor
gan.
The Senate,
| WASHINGTON, Jan. ia communication
was received from the secretary of the treas
ury in response to the senate resolution as te
the present rates of duty imposed by France
Germany and Mexico upon American manu-
| features.
Senator Davis Qll.) from the committee or
judiciary. reported back favorably the bill to
permit Ward Hunt, associate justice of the
supreme court of the United States, to retire
He gave notice that he would ask its consider.
alton tomorrow.
Senator Cameron (Pa.), from the committee
on naval affairs, reported resolution for the
examination by that committee of a new sys.
tenn of naval defense suggested by Capt. Erick.
son, and report thereon. Adopted.
Senator Anthony, from the committee on
naval affairs, reported favorably the bill au.
thorizing the completion end printing of the
naval history of the war.
Senator Blair offered resolution instructing
the committee on public lands TO inquire into
the administration of the land laws, DISPOSE
tions of land, and any abuses and hardships
which may exist in their administration, and
report facts and recommendations. Adopted,
The remainder of the morning hour was
occupied by Senator Brown in remarks on the
currency question, his text being his resolu-
ton declaring the inexpediency of contracting
the currency by the withdrawal of silver GER
tifcates or discontinuance or further restric-
ton of silver coinage, and that gold and silver
coin, based upon proper rates of equivalence
between the two metals, and issues of paper
predicated upon and convertible into coin on
demand, constitute the proper circulating
medium of this country.
Senator Brown argued that commercial
value is given gold or silver, not their intrin-
sic value as metals, but the value which the
government stamps upon them as mediums of
exchange. The value of silver has been re-
duced, not because of over production. but
because of its characterization by the British
and German governments.
Brown concluded his address, and his reso-
luton went over without action.
THE FUNDING BILL.
The senate resumed consideration of the
Sherman funding bill, and Senator Morgan
opposed the bill. He said he was entirely
satisfied of the ability of the government to
bonds in eleven years, without drawing one
cent from the surplus revenues, and presented
figures in illustration. In the course of his
remarks Morgan incidentally stated that there
was no law to authorize the receipt of green
backs for customs dues, and that they were
received in violation of law.
Senator Sherman explained that as soon as
greenbacks became as good as gold the secre-
tary of the treasury, by order, required collec.
fnro To ot- f1avn nd 1o6 noft of
congress to the fact that he had done this,
but congress had never made any change.
Senator Beck said it was true attention had
been called to the subject. He had introduced
bills requiring greenbacks to be received at
custom houses, and held one now pending in
committee. 1t seemed, however, that the ex-
ecutive officers had always preferred to have
the matter under their own control, so they
could rescind the order if they liked and do as
they pleased, instead of having law that
they were bound to obey.
Senator Bayard said he had opposed Beck's
bill because the contract originally was that
the payments should be made in committee,
and he thought that was an obligation thai
could not be removed without consent of the
bondholders of the government.
Senator Beck further stated that the coin
that was to be received at the custom houses
was both gold and silver. and was pledged to
pay interest on the public debt, but that the
secretary had refused to apply the silver so
received at the custom houses to the payment
of interest. The present secretary was now
insisting that the bondholders were entitled
to gold alone, when, upon the terms of their
contract, all silver coin, as we'll as gold coin,
received at the custom houses was pledged to
them, and they ought to be required to take It,.
But here again the executive officers took a
dislike to congress, and have their own way
about the contract.
Upon conclusion of Morgan's remarks the
funding bill was Informally laid aside until to-
morrow.
Bills introduced:
By Senator George--To encourage agricul-
ture and manufactures. 1t proposed TO impose
all duties and imports now laid on machinery
for the manufacture of cotton or wooden
goods, or goods composed of hemp or jute;
also, on all tools of mechanics which are used
solely in mammal labor; also, on all agricul-
turalimplements and on all cotton ties.
By Senator Ferry-Relative to compensation
of letter carriers. This bill provides that the
salaries of first-class carriers who have been
in the service one year shall be 81 600, and
those of second class carriers 5000 per annum.
In all cities of less than $4,000 population,
there shall be but one class of carriers at sal
aries Of $3.50 per year. Provision is made for
third grade carriers, to be KNOWN as
auxillares, at salaries of 5000 per
annum for the first year of service and $500
thereafter. 1t is also provided that on appli-
cation of the postmaster of any city one Or
more substitutes for letter carriers shall be ap-
pointed, whose rate of compensation shall be
one dollar per year, and pro rata of compensa-
ton of the carriers in whose places they may
serve.
Messages from the president were received,
transmitting for consideration OF congress
communications from the secretary of the in
terror, including the draft of bill to accept
and ratify the agreement with the Crow In
dams for the sale of portion of their reser-
walton in Montana te' tory, required for the
Northern Pacific rail Dad, and to make neces-
sarY appropriations 10 carry the same into eff
feet. The senate then went into executive ses-
sion, referred the nominations received to-day,
and adjourned.