Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-14
FOrty-Eighth Conrress---First Session.
WASHINGTON, FebruarY l:

WASHINGTON roOEuaLy To.
 SENATE.-Mr DoIph offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Rules to con- sder the expediency of restricting the intro duction of private relief bills He said if the number of private bills were not restrict ed in some way it would be impossible for Congress to give attention to anything of public importance. The resolution was adopted.
 MT. Voorhees, introduced a resolution di. recting the Secretary of the Interior to with hold his approval of lands selected by the Northern Pacific railroadwithin the indemnity limit until Congress shall have settled ques- tions involved in the claims of settlers on the lands in question.
 At o'clock Mr. McPherson's bill to pro- vide for the issue of circulating notes to na- tional banking associations was taken up. MT. Bayard made long speech on the gem eral questions covered by the bill. He for one did not desire to see the currency-a matter so profoundly important to every transaction, great and small in any degree under the finger and thumb of any official, however respectable or high in grade. The charge of the currency was committed to Congress which of late years had Iegislated wisely on it. He was in favor of the simple proposition of this bill to allow the circula- tion of banking associations currency to the amount of the par value of the bonds deposited. That he considered would pro-
 
 contraction. MT. Sherman delivered a prepared speech in which he discussed the various propositions pending as amendments to the bill. He said that two disturbing influences affected the currency; one the rapid accumulation of silver coin in the treasury and resulting fear that in the process of time the currency will be reduced to the single standard of the silver dollar; the other the increased diff culty in maintaining the circulation of na tionai banks caused by the rapid payment of United States bonds and the consequent in crease of their market value. He saw no hope at present of a solution of the silver question, the sentiment of the people as represented in Congress being against the suspension of the coinage of the silver dollar. This was undoubtedly creating distrust in investments made on gold basis and must ultimately bring us to silver standard. The doubt would then arise whether in the adjustment of the new rates between gold and silver the quantity of silver in the dollar will be increased, or the quantity of gold reduced. Passing on to the object of the bill he said the proposed bill gave some re- lief but 1t made no distinction in the charter or intrinsic value of deposits for security and would be the very beginning of insecurity and uncertainty. He offered an amendment which the bought would meet the difficulty. It provides for the issue of currency up to the face value of government bonds, bearing interest at three per cent and in addition thereto an amount equal to one half of the excess of the interest producing capacity on the face of the bond over and above three per cent.
 MT. McPherson delivered set speech in support of the bill, contending that all other propositions are wrong in principle.
 The chair laid before the Senate essage from the President transmitting the record, testimony, proceedings and findings of the Proteus court of inquiry.
 At 4:15 the Senate went into executive session and 8 few minutes afterwards ad- journed.
 HoUsE-Mr. Warner desired to offer a res olution directing the Committee on Enrolled Bills to inquire into the delay in forwarding to the President the enrolled bill for the re- lief of the sufferers by the Ohio floods, say ing it did not reach the President until 4:30 D. m. yesterday, although returned from the Senate soon after the House met.
 Mir. Cosgrove, of Missouri, moved to amend by extending the inquiry to the reason why the House debated the bill all day Mon day, when it could have been passed in ten minutes. Gaughter.)
 Objection was made and the resolution was referred.
 Mir. Turner. of Georgia, called up the con- tested election case of Chalmers vs. Manning, Second Mississippi district, and addressed the House In support or the majority report, which he said was signed by ten of the ff- teen members. He proceeded to state the issues ia the case.
 Mir. Elliott, of Pennsylvania, defended tho report of the minority giving the seat on prima facie evidence to Manning, he having presented to the committee the certificate of the Governor in regular and perfect form.
 MT. Oates, of Alabama, argued that tho committee had gone beyond the instructions of the House, which limited the present in quiry to the prima facie facts in the case and that a report in favor of Manning should have been submitted.
 MT. Cobb, of Indiana contended that the certificate of election in proper form, whether rightfully or wrongfully given, carried with it prima facie right to the seat.
 MT. Bland said if Manning would present his certificate at the desk and ask to be sworn in he would vote to admit him, but he could not sustain this indirect method.
 MT. Dorsheimer argued that it was not competent for Manning or any other member to foreelose the judgment of the House by an admission that he was not elected, that the prima facie question was the only one under consideration and that was determined by the certificate of the Governor.
 The discussion was continued until o'clock, when without reaching vote the House adjourned