The Portland daily press., 1884-02-19
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

III Sn6 senate today Mr.. Wilson presented
two sets OF credentials of William d. Allisons
Senator-elect from Iowa. Mr.. Wilson ok
planned that two sets were presented owing
to the fact that two elections had been held.
Two elections had been deemed necessary
owing to a doubt arising under the act OF 1866
providing for the election of United States
Senators. One election was held on the sec
ond Tuesday after the temporary organization
OF the legislature and the other on the second
Tuesday after the regular organization.
on motion of Mr.. Garland the credentials
we're referred to the committee on privileges
and elections.
The chair laid before the Senate the presm-
bic and joint resolution of the legislature OF
Ohio relating to the exclusion of American
pork from Germany and France. (The reso-
luton recommends Congress to establish gov
ernment inspection OF all exported meats. and
II when such inspection shall have been So
cured these American products shall slill be
excluded from foreign countries then that
Congress shall pass such legislation retaliatory
or otherwise as may seem best adapted 70
Dring to American meat producers the reiier
which they need.
The Senate at o'clock resumed considera-
tion of the currency bill aud Mr.. Pugh adj
dressed the Senate In favor of the Plumb
amendment. ~
Mr. Pugh said that il Mr.. Plumb's amend
ment failed he would vote for the bill OF the
committee as a temporary expedient fhe
present currency, ne claimed, had secured
public confidence and Congress shot Id make
immediate provision against contraction. (The
bill OF the committee provided for an increase
OF 10 per cent. in the amount of circulation to
which the banks would be entitled on their
bonds deposited as security for notes.)
The success of tho-rlan depended entirely,
MIR. rugh thought, upon the sufficeucy of the
indncement IN the way of greater profits 70
banks offered by their additional 10 per cent.
OF circulation, He felt that it would not an
swer the purpose. Mr.. Plumb's amendment,
he thought, prevented any contraction at any
time In the futnre or present volume of car-
rtncy by the withdrawal of the national bank
circulation.
minority in his opposition to the national
banks as factors in the circulation OF the cur
rency. The only reason, Mr.. Vest continued,
why the friends OF the banks did not now
favor permanent national debt was because
that the convictions of the American people
had terrorized them out of the idea and tho ma
tional banks instead of asking for perpetual
public debt were simply trying to tide over the
distractions placed In their way by the ma
turity of the bonds If the truth were plainly
told, the national banks were greater than
the government. They had Increased to the
number of 2522. In 1881 the Senator from
Ohio (Mr. Sherman) had told US they were on
the verge OF dissolution and barely able to
exist, while the fact has been they have in
creased By 26l during the past year, the largest
increase in numbers since 1865. Mr.. Vest
knew that the advocates of the national banks
would take the TAX Off their circulation and
would continue 10 burn incense before the
altar Of their idol. The national banks had
enough power in Congress to carry this bill or
any other bill they choose to offer.
After remarks by Mr.. Call, in opposition tc.
the bill, Mr.. Plumb modified his amendment
by providing that the Treasury notes are to be
issued if within thirty days after the surrender
OF national bank circulation some other
bank does not take it up; aud by adding at
the close the following: "Ths true intent and
meaning OF this section being that the volume
of paper money outstanding, exclusive of
gold and silver certificates, shall remain as
now existing"
On suggestion of Mr.. Butler, who wanted to
see the amendment as modified in print, the
Senate went into executive session and when
the doors were re-opened adjourned.
HOUSE.
The following bills. etc, were introduced and
referred:
By Mr.. Peel of Arkansas, granting 800 acres
OF the public lands to each of the survivors of
the Mountain Meadow massacre.
By Mr.. Belford of Colorado, resolution cal
ling on the Secretary Of State for information
as to whether Prince Bismarck has sent to the
State Department any letter touching the res
olution recently passed by the House concern
ing the death of Herr Lasker, and If SO to
transmit copy of the same aOd inform the
House of any adviees he may have on this sub
ject either by telegraph or letter
By Mr.. Nichols of Georgia, to regulate the
traffic Oh railroads. 1t prohibits discriminat-
ing rates and combinations for the pooling of
freights
By Mr.. Jobb of Indiana, providing for pay
ing the cost OF surveying lands granted in aid
of the construction OF the Northern Pacific
Railroad, and to subject the same to tax
alton; also for the relief of settlers in railroad
lands.
By Mr.. King Of Louisiana, appropriating
$500 600 for the relief of sufferers from foods
in the lower Mississippi valley.
By Mr.. Dngley of Maine, authorizing the
Secretary OF the Treasury, cut of any lawful
money deposited by national banks for the
purpose of retiring its circulation, to purchase
at cnrrent market rates any bonds of the
United States bearing interest at q rate in ex.
cess of per cent, 10 be held in trust until
their maturity for the payment of circulating
notes of banks which have deposited lawful
money for such payment. Provided that the
interest ON such bonds be applied first to the
payment of the premium paid for bonds, and
then to form fund for the redemption of the
notes Of such national banks as may become
insolvent, and the securities of which mag
prove insufficient for the redemption of their
circulating notes.
By Mr. Talbot of Maryland, appropriating
$3.50 600 for the construction of one steel gun
boat of 800 tons displacement.
By Mr.. Storm of Pennsylvania, amending
the sinking fund act.
Mr.. Eldridge of Michigan rose to question
of privilege. He had received petition which
contained statements which, If true, would uu-
seat member from Michigan.
Mr.. Calkins of Indiana raised the point of
order that the petition must be referred to the
committee through the petition box
The Speaker sustained the point, and the
petition was referred to the committee on cleo
tions. (The member whose title it attacks is
FL. FL. Hatch of Michigsn.)
On motion of Mr. Steele OF Indiana the rules
were suspended aud a bill was passed to re-
lIevs certain soldiers from the charge of deser-
tion. Qt removes the charge of desertion
against any soldier who served in the late war
in the volunteer service when it shall be made
to appear that such soldier served faithfully
until tho expiration OF his term of enlistment,
or until the first of May, 1865, or was prevent.
ed from completing his term of service by rea-
son of wounds received, and who by reason of
absence from his command at the time it was
mustered out, failed to receive an honorable
discharge)
On molten of Mr.. Bingham of PENNSYLVANIA
the rules were suspended and bill passed
fixing one cent for each onnce as the rate of
postage on second class mail matter when sent
by persons other than publishers of newspapers
or their agents.
A motion to adjourn was here interposei, but
it was voted down by the Democratic side,
which desired an opportnn y to set aside day
for consideration of the bill to pension suryiy-
ors of the Mexican war.
On motion of Mr.. Matson of Indiana, the
rules were suspended and resolution adopted
providing for a night session on Friday eve
ming for consideration of pension bills.
Alter another motion to adjourn had been
voted down, Mr.ssHewitt of Alabama moved to
suspend the rules aud adopt resolution max
ing the Mexican pension bill special order fo1
the 21st inst.
. On this motion many Republicans refrained
from voting, thus leaving the House without a
quorum. call of the House was then order
ed, and the sergeant-at-arms was ordered to
take absentees into custody aud bring them be.
fore the bar of the House.
The opposition on the Republican side to the
resolution reported by MIR. Hewitt was based
upon What they considered the broad proyis-
ions of the bill. IT provides for placing on the
pension rolls the names of those who served
thirty days in the Greek war, or the disturb
auce of 1885 and 1886, or in the Seminole or
Black Hawk, as well as OF those who served &C
days in the war with Mexico.
AT 9.15 Mr.. Hisce ck Of New York suggested
to Mr.. Hewitt that IL he would agree to amend
the bill so it would merely apply to survivors
of the Mexican war, there would be no objec
tion to the resolution on the Republican side
This proposition, however, Mr.. Hewitt declin
ed to accede to. Il
At 9.35 further proceedings under the cal
were dispensed with, and the question REQUIRED
on seconding the motion made by Mr.. Hewitt
The majority of the Republicans refrainet
from voting, and the House was left without q
quorum, and again call was ordered.
The hours fiom 935 uutil o'clock we're con
~...2s -<1f H..