St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-11
LEGAL TENDERS
Considerable Interest Manifested Over
the Decision of the Supreme
Court.
Joint Resolutions Introduced to Curtail by
Constitutional Amendments the Pow
er of Congress.
And Prevent the Issue of Legal Tender
Notes Except in Times of War.
Especial Telegram to the Globe

| Special Telegram to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, March, Hottie legal tender
decision Of the supreme court has attracted
more attention among senators and con-
gress men because it was anticipated By most
OF the lawyers in congress that the decision
would be the reverse. Senator Bayard and
Representatives Potter and Hewitt. of New
York, introduced joint resolutions to-
day proposing constitutional amend
ment to deprive congress of the
power to give the legal tender quality to any
currency except gold and silver unless in
time OF war when the public safety NAV re-
quire it The Potter and Hewitt amend
ments were referred to the house judiciary
committee, and the GLOBE correspondent
had conversations with several prominent
members of that committee this evening in
relation to the subject.
Gen. Browne, of Indiana, said: ''T had
supposed up to the recent decision of the su-
preme court that the constitution prohibited
the issue of legal tender paper mon ey except
as an incident of the war power. 1 no not
think would be willing to agree that con-
gress should be unable under the constitu-
ton to issue legal tender paper money in the
eXigencies ola war. But for the exercise Of
this power during the rebellion it would
not have been possible to save the govern
ment 1t is true that such q currency will be
deprecated in comparison with coin at least
| temporarily, but it may be better to submit to
the evil Of a deprecated currency rather
than to total destruction of the govern,
ment. The decision of the supreme court
goes further than or any one anticipated,
No one supposed when the legal tendeE
notes were first issued, not even ThaddeuN
| Stevens, who was their foremost advocate
| that they would not be redeemed in coin paid
off. At present the decision Of the cou1
does not affect values, because the notes aro
redeemable in coin. 1t only gives ground
for the fear that congrest
at some time may institute an
issue of fiat money, but there is no danger
of that in time of peace. l think 1 should
| favor an amendment to the constitution pro-
hibiting congress from making anything but
coin legal tender except in time of war,
and providing that the paper money is
| sued under such circumstances must be
eventually redeemed in coin.n
Judge Culberson, of Texas, said: 'The
proposition emanates from gentlemen who
desire to perpetuate the national banking
system and think it should be opposed by
every man who is against that scheme. The
decision of the supreme court is sound and
it was not a surprise to me as you will see by
speech which 1 delivered in congress some
time ago. have always held that congress
has the constitutional power to give the legal
tender quality to treasury notes. 1t is very
improbable that congress viii adopt the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution"
Judge Moulton, of Illinois, said: 1.-THE
| Potter amendment could not pass the house,
| but it ought to because under the decision of
the supreme court congress could make
piece of brown paper legal tender, although
it may be as worthless as continental scrip or
confederate notes.
Mr. Dorsheimer of New York, says: ''The
| judiciary committee would consider the
amendment as promptly as possible and he
would favor its adoption. There is very
strong feeling among members that it is
necessary, and he believed the committee
would report favorably and possibly the house
would pass it.