Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-20
FORTY-BIGHTR CONGRESS.
First session.
sen ATE.
0WAsHINGroy, Feb 10.

general. transmitting in response to the Sem
ate resolution, the opinion of the attorney
general relating to postmasters' salaries af-
fected by the act of March 3, 1888.
The following bills were reported from the
committee and placed on the calendar:
To provide for the disposal of abandoned
and useless military reservations; amending
provisions Of the revised statutes relating to
timber depredations.
The committee on finance reported ad-
versely bill authorizing the payment of Gus
toms duties in legal tender notes, but asked
that in Difference to the wish of another SEN
ator, it be placed on the calendar.
Also reported adversely Q bill providing
for the1lretirement of email legal tender
notes.
Also, adversely, authorizing the secretary
of the treasury to make final adjustment of
the claims Of foreign steamship companies
arising from legal exaction of tonnage dues.
The following were introduced and appro-
priately referred:
By Mr.. Ingalls, to amend the homestead
laws and classify public land.
BY Mr.. Blair, to increase the pensions of
soldiers and sailors for certain specified disa-
bilities and for disabilities equivalent thereto
The Senate then proceeded to the corsid-
GRAFTON of unobjected cases upon its calen-
dar.
After the passage of a few bills of minor
importance the chair laid before the Senate
the unfinished business of yesterday, it being
a bill to provide for the issue of circulation
to national banks,
Mr.. Hale asked and received unanimous
consent to make the bill providing for steel
cruisers for the navy special order for Mon
day at o'clock.
Mr.. Bayard addressed the Senate in oppos-
e, Al
rency bill. Of all propositions set up in
favor of Capitalization, Mr.. Bayard said none
was comparable to the suggestion of turning
the treasury of the United States into bank
of issue, and controlling the volume of cur
rency, not by the commercial necessities of
the people. but by the accidental will of the
accidental majority in either of the two
Houses of Congress. He did not think that
If it did occur the present law offered a rem
edy for it. He believed the proposition con-
tanned in the amendments of the senators
from Kansas Plumb and Missouri (Vest)
was the suggestion of step towards central
ization of the most extreme character.
Mr.. Plumb said the national bank system
which had to adjust itself from time to time.
had confessedly failed to perform that func-
ton; that was substantial reason why the
finance committee reported the bill under
national banks continuing until by the ex-
tinction of the national debt, and the cessa-
ton of their charters, they should disappear
in the natural way; but we were met by their
end contraction, ana whatever else might be
said about his proposition, it would certainly
be admitted, it would make contraction i'm
possible.
After some debate between Messrs. Mitch
ell and Plumb, the latter withdrew bis modi
fication of yesterday to the amendment for
merly proposed.
Mr.. Mcpherson said the committees bill
proposed the issue of currency up to the par
value of bonds and that onv. The other
propositions which were submitted in the
amendment meant something else, and he
did not agree with them; did not believe it
was the duty of this generation to pay the
public debt. We had pension debt amount
ing to hundreds of millions of dollars, but
the pensioner will not live always. He said
it was our duty to pay the pensioner and ex
tend the payment OF the public debt to time
which would allow of posterity bearing part
of the burden.
Mr. rAllison was not troubled by the fear
that anv disturbance woul d be created BY the
bill reported by the finance committee; nor
was he disturbed by any amendment pro-
posed. He did not believe there was going
to be any panic in connection with the cur
rency. Our circulation did not depend wholly
on national banks. The only fixed element
in circulation was the greenback, which could
neither be increased or diminished.
Mr.. Allison moved to be willing to vote
for the bill reported by the senator from Del
aware (Bayard) or for the amendments pro-
posed respectively by the senators from Ohio
(Sherman) and Vermont Morrill, He was
willing II open up the largest possible de-
gree for circulating the security of bonds for
the benefit not of the banks, but of the peo-
pie.
After some discussion between Messrs.
Beck, Coke and Pugh, in reference to the
scope of the Plumb amendment, Mr.. Morgan
said he proposed to oaur an amendment to
the amendment of the senator from Kansas,
10 provide THAT whene sr any portion of the
circulation of national b ks shall be surren-
dered in consequence of call, and the pay
ment of bonds by the U. : government equal
to the amount of the treasa.y note, shall be
issued by the government i, the bill thereof
to prevent the shrinkage of Circulation
After some remarks by Mr.. Morgan the
Senate went inth executive session and after
wards adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House, after being in session all night,
day From p. NJ. until nearly A. NJ,
the time of the House was consumed in roll
calls and merriment occasioned by the ex-
cuses of members. At that hour, however,
an exciting and angry scene ensued upon the
question of excusing Mr.. Brumm of Pennsyl-
vania, who admitted that he left the House
after the contest of the evening had begun.
Upon this showing the democrats voted
against excusing him, and Mr.. Lamb of Indi-
ana moved that he be fined s..
Mr.. Browne opposed the motion. 1t was q
fact within the observation of every gentle
man who ha1 Witnessed the proceedings Of
the House last evening, that the whole matter
had degenerated into a farce. He then made
a stormy arraignment of the conduct of the
members in the case of the calls Of the House
declaring that they were disreputabe and
calculated to bring upon its members the de-
served contempt of the country.
Mr.. Lamb replied that every word his coll
league Brown had said in opposition to his
motion was one which showed that the motion
ought to be carried. Ii was because this
thing had become q farce, and for that reason
alone he had made the motion which he did.
For more than seven hours the minority have
been attempting not to prevent recognition
of the rights Of soldiers Of the Mexican war,