Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-03

SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2

Mr.. Ferry, from the committee on post
offices, reported adversely upon the Senate
Joint resolution authorizing the franking priv
ilege to Senators and Representatives for OH
cial business Indefinitely postponed. Also
a resolution of October, 1851. making an IN
auiry as to the reasons for the regulations IN
the Cincinnati and Boston postofiices, pro-
hibiting the appointment therein OF persons
over thirty years of age.
For appointment, Mr.. Ferry remarked that
the responsibility belonged, if to any one, to
a democrat. as Postmaster. General Key was
the first and only head of the department to
directly approve the regulations. his success
sors having taken no official notice of it. Mr..
voorhees, said Gen. Keys democracy ended
when he became a member of Hayes Cab
met. The motion was then dropped by dis
charging the committee from further consid-
Grafton of the subject.
At ) the three per cent. bond bill was
taken up, the question being upon Plumb's
amendment to apply the surplus revenues, over
one hundred millions, TO the reduction OF the
public debt.
Mr.. Bayard suggested that as specie re-
sumption was involved in the amendment. it
was too important to be disposed of sum-
marily.
On the Union soldiers resolution, lengthy
colloauy ensued between Messrs. Voorhees,
and Frye as to who was responsible for the
resolution, the latter claiming that there has
been no design to exclude any class of APP
pointment and the former maintaining that
in failing to abrogate it, the postmaster gen.
eral, under successive republican admins
tratons, had given notice to the country as
to the large post offices at Cincinnati and
Boston, that no Union soldiers need apply.
At q 80 p. NJ, a vote was taken on Plumb's
amendment and it was lost. Ayes &c, nays
~
After some further debate Mr.. flumb's
amendment was rejected.
The amendment by Mr.. Hoar. declaring
that the bonds bearing 81 per cent. interest
to which the bills refer, are hereby declared
legal. This elected continuance of the
discussion upon the ratification of the fund
ing of the fives and skies by ex Secretary
Window. Mr.. Window said at last after the
urgent call for three days for someone to
point out the law that had been violated. the
Senator (Vest) had specifically indicated the
law. 1t was law which the President We
toed. and which never did become law.
Mr. Ingalls, said the language of the treas
ury circular giving the notice was, that if the
holders should request to have their bonds
continued at 81 per cent, their request would
be granted if the bonds were received before
certain date. Here was the proof of bar
gain proposed by the active officer without
authority of law, and in violation of the ex-
press declaration of Congress made not more
than two months before, that the only fund
ing debt thereafter to be recognized by the
government, was to be at 3 per cent.
Mr.. Winaom-Will the Senator refer us to
that.
Mr.. Ingalls-The fact that the alleged re-
publican President saw fit to veto the bill.
does not affect the accuracy of my statement.
The treasury department, in express defiance
of the will of Congress, invited this transac-
ton with the bOndholders. The operation
was illegal from its inception, as the secre-
tary had no authority for it.
Messrs. ingalls, and Window here became
involved in a controversy upon TIE accuracy
of the formers assertion that the latter, and
others in the debate, had repeatedly declared
the transaction was voluntary release on
the part of the creditor. without government
solicitation, of II and p per cent.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Hoar said
he did not think any considerable portion of
the American people would concur with the
gentleman who found fault with the secre-
tarv's action. He knew of no act which had
met with a more hearty approval of all parties
and all interests.
Mr.. Hawley said he would vote for the
amendment, but would refer to vote for a res
olution declaring VIM. Window, late secre-
tary of the treasury, by saving many mil
lions of interest, had violated no law, had
conducted the negotiations with wisdom and
ability, had prominently identified himself
with the most brilliant transaction in modern
finance, and deserves to be commended by
the country.
The amendment as originally proposed by
Mr. ingalls, and modified at the suggestion of
Mr. HOar, was then adopted.
1t inserts the words (which are hereby de-
clared valid, when referring to the 81 per
cent
Adjourned.