Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-17
FORTY EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
Second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l6.
Mr.. ingalls, presided over the Senate today,
having been designated for that purpose by
the vice president under the rule.
The bill making temporary provision for
the naval service was reported by Mr.. Hale
from the naval committee with suudrv amend
ments. He gave notice that he would en-
deayor to cali it up tomorrow.
Mr.. Lapham presented remonstrances
against the ratification of the Nicarsguan
treaty. but Mr. Sherman raised a point of
order that the treaty was executive business
and had not been ordered published, and
therefore remonstrances should be presented
in executive session.
Mr. Lapham. therefore, withdrew them
Mr. Hoar submitted resolution to be
called up tomorrow, providing that when
working on its calendar hereafter, the Senate
shall give preferences to House bills, as it
was wise to dispose of bills that had pros
pect of becoming laws rather than to spend
the time on new bills
resolution was introduced by Mr.. AL
drich and was agreed to, calling on the secre-
tary of state for information regarding the
extent and character of foreign trade in Mex
leo, Central and South American States
Cubs, Porto Rico and San Domingo, and also
the share of the United States in the trade of
each portion of such States, the exports and
imports transported in vessels belonging to
the citizens of the United States.
Mr.. Beck continued his remarks of yester-
day on the silver question. When we issued
our bonds, he said, they were payable in coin
''of the standard value of the United States"
gold and silver coin-and the senator from
Ohio (Sherman), when the secretary of the
treasury was requested by law TO devote the
coin received from customs to the payment
of the interest on the public debt that gen.
tleman paid only gold, and had said he paid
that because it was preferred by the Gus
toner.
Mr.. Beck wanted some administration that
would say TO the silver countries that We
would stand by them; we could wait 60 days,
thank God, until the enemies of the silver
bill had disappeared from the other end of
the capitol before letting the world know that
we proposed in good faith to maintain the
currency of the country and pay our bonds
according TO our obligations.
Mr.. Beck characterized as "simply impru-
dent" the recent statement Of the comptroller
of the currency that the silver law coinage
was unworthy of this great nation"
Mr.. Sherman denied that any officer of the
United States had made any attempt to strike
down silver or discriminate against it.
Mr.. Sherman defended the comptroller of
the currency. who. he said, had expressed
his views like a man. Within few months
a new administration would come into power,
and he commended the silver question to it.
If the newspaper accounts were true, his
honorable friend from Delaware (Bayard)
was to be secretary of the treasury to that
If so. he would have this
question to solve and if he could solve it.
Mr.. Sherman would follow him with pleas
ure
After further debate the matter was
dropped and the Dakota bill was taken up.
The question was on the adoption of Mr..
Garland's substitute, which provided for
convention whose works should be submitted
to the people, and with it the question of the
division of the Territory.
On coming 70 vote the substitute was lost
by party vote-27 to 81.
The bill was then voted on substantially as
it came from the committee, and was passed,
also by a party vote-34 to 2S
The interstate commerce bill was laid
before the Senate, so as to become unfinished
business for tomorrow. IA
After executive session the Senate ad
journed