National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-26
ORATORS DAY.
The House Given Up to Speeches on the Fitz-
John Porter Bill.
Taylor and Keller Condemn Porter,
6ayne and Ray Defend Him.
The Senate Finance Committee Favors tho Issue Of
Circulating Notos.
Bond Purchases, Colorado Lands, and
Alaska Discussed in tho Senate.
THE SENATE.

THE SENATE.
The following petitions were presented and APP
propriately referred:
By Mr.. Cameron, OF Wisconsin, From the Mer-
chants association Of Milwaukee, stating the be-
lei OF its members that 1t is the immediate duty
Of congress to retaliate against the French, Ger
man aud other governments which refuse to re.
ceive sound and healthiul American meats, and
especially to prohibit the importation of their
wines and liquors. which, the petition says arc
acknowledged TO be extensively adulterated.
BY Mr.. Miller, of CALIFORNIA: From the cham
Der of commerce Of San Francisco, praying prompt
action by congress to bring the United States navy
to state Of proper efficiency by the addition Of
heavily -armored vessels, as well as iron cruisers
of hign speed, and with ordnance of equal power
TO that OF other nations. Tho petition sets forth
that with coast line of thousands Of miles
dotted with rich and prosperous cities, the united
sues SUES couu n9e anodH 70 w n, ne ns az tm1
heretofore SHOWN in this matter was disgracelul
10 the country aud wanting IN patriotism and III
situated like ours. We had been absolutely de.
pendent upon the good will of foreign nations.
Tho petitioners enter their protest against so dan
Bills were Introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Gibson: 10 facilitate the reform of the
by Mr.. Blair: To provide for the free circulation
OF newspapers and other periodical publications
within the state In which the same are published.
MI. Bayard, from the committee on finance, re-;
ported avorably the bill providing for the issue OF
circulating notes 10 the national banking asso-
Citations:
1T provides that upon deposit OF any United
States bonds bearing interest i'll the manner re-
CURED by law any national banking association
making the same shall be entitled to receive from
the comptroller of the currency circulating notes
OF different denominations in blank, registered
and countersgned as provided by law not ex-
ceeding in amount the par value OF the bonds de.
posted Ir0vidcd, That Mt no time shall the total
amount Of such notes issued TO any such associa.
ton exceed the amount at such time actually paid
IN of its capital stock; and that all laws and
parts OF laws Inconsistent with the provisions of
this act, be and the same are hereby repealedl 1t
was placed upon the calendar.
The chair laid before the senate as the next Or
der of business the resolution offered Wednes-
day by Mr. sherman relating to the Virginia and
Mississippi elections
Mr.. Lamar inquired Of the mover whether 1t
would not be preferable to postpone its considera-
ton until Monday.
MIR. Sherman had no objection IL that was the
when il did come M Mr.. sherman should want a
vote upon it..
Mr. Baynrd did not wish the consideration Of
this res luton, If set down for Monday, TO inter
fere with the special order Tor that day which was
the bill reported by MIN from the committee ON
private lands regarding the settlement OF titles "
the Mexican land grants
Mr. Sherman stated that II the resolution were
no disposed of before the lime for taking up that
bill he Mr. Shermani would move to continue tie
consideration OF the resolution until disposed Of.
Mr.. Bnyard inquired whether debate on the
resolution when IL should come up, would be
subject TO the five minute rule
Inc chair stated that 1t would not. The matter
v.
re,entatiyes having disagreed TO the senate
amendment to the Greedy relief bill, the senate,
on motion of Mr.. Hale insisted ON It's am endment
and a committee of conference, consisting of
Messrs Hale Miller of California, and Salisbury,
was appointed 10 confer with similar committee
OF the house on the subject.
Mr.. Beck called up his resolution, heretofore
offered intended to prohibit the secretary OF the
treasury from purchasing bonds OF the United
States at rates above their par value.
Mr. Morrill, thought the gentleman from Ken
lucky mr.: Beck leaping, before he got to the
stile, AS long as we alrenuy had a surplus was 1t
moi better to apply II to the payment OF the debt?
AS n matter Of TACT however, 1t was profitable
considering the time which the per cent. bonds
had to run, to buy them ut II or Is per cent.
premium, and reinvest in 3 per cents. The fact
that our bonds were at a premium should not be a
subject OF reproach TO us, but rather of compli-
ment.
Mr.. Bayard expressed the opinion that the view
would logically lead TO the result tlnt as long us
there was u surplus taxation should be kept us
high as possible in order that the surplus may
rebound to the advantage Of the bondholdng
10 the committee on finance.
The bill donating part of the Fort Smith mill
tary reservation to the city of Fort Smith, for the
benefit of public schools was taken up, and after
short debate, participated in by Messrs Walker
Garland Plumb, Hoar and others was passed.
The next bill on the calendar was that TO allow
the state of Colorado to take lands in lieu OF cor
tain sections found 10 DO mineral lands II was
advocated by Messrs Hill, Miller of California
and Others but in Difference % the wishes If some
senators who desired further information on the
subject, 1t went over until Monday
The unfinished business of Thursday was then
laid before the senate This was the Alaska bill
Mr. Harrison chairman of the committee on
territories who reported tho bill. stated that as
the senate had decided Yesterday not to permit
the marshal of the territory to be compensated
BY fees, it would be necessary to make d proper
sulnIy provision. II was difficult to tell what
would be Il fair compensation in such a territory
II the officers travelling expenses were to be taken