Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-19
FORTYBIGRTH CONGRESS.
First session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.

mr.. wilson presented two sets of creden-
tiais OF Hon. VIM. B. Allison, senator elect
from Iowa. Mr.. Wilson explained that two
sets OF credentials we're presented, owing to
the fact that two elections had been held, TIVE
elections having been deemed necessary ow-
ing to doubt arising under the act of 1866,
providing for the election Of q. S. senators,
on the election the second Tuesday after the
regular organization.
On motion of Mr.. Garland, the credsn-
tials were referred to the committee on priv
ileges and elections.
The chair laid before the Senate the pre-
amble and joint resolution of the legislature
OF Ohio, relating TO the exclusion of Ameri-
can pork from France and GERMANY. The
resolution recommends Congress to establish
government inspection of all exported meats
Mr.. Pu&h said that if Mr.. Plumb's amend
ment failed be would vote for the bill of the
committee a. temporary expedient for the
present currency. He claimed he had Sc
cured public confidence. Congress should
make immediate provision against the con-
| traction of the bill Of the COMMITTEES, pro-
vided for an increase of ten per cent in the
amount Of circulation, to which banks would
be entitled on their bonds deposited - Sc
curity for notes. The success of the plan
depended, Mr.. Pugh thought, upon the sufti-
cheney Of inducement in the way of greater
profits to banks offered by this additional ten
per cent of circulation. He felt that it would
net answer " the purpose. Mr.. Plumb's
amendment he thought, prevented any con-
traction at anv time in the future of the pres
ent volume of currency by the withdrawal of
the national bank circulation,
Mr.. Vest said he knew he was in q hopeless
minority in his opposition to national banks
as factors in the circulation of currency. The
only reason, Mr.. Vest continued, why the
friends of the banks did not favor the pay
ment of the natioual debt was because the
convictions of the American people has ter
rOrized them out of the idea, and the national
banks, instead OF asking for the perpetual
public debt were trying to tide over the OBJ
structions placed in their way by the maturity
of bonds. If the truth was plainly told, the
banks were greater than the government.
They had increased to the number of 1922.
In 1881 the senator from Ohio (Sherman)
had told US that they were on the verge of
dissolution, and barely able to exist; while
the fact has been that they have increased by
26l during the past year, the largest increase
of numbers since 1865.
Mr.. Vest knew that the advocates of the
banks would take the tax of circulation, and
would continue to burn incense before the
altar of their idol. The national banks had
enough influence in Congress to carry this
bill or any other bill they might choose to
offer.
After remarks by Mr.. Coll in opposition to
the bill, Mr.. Plumb modified the amendment
by providing that the treasury notes are tC
be issued, if within thirty days after the sur
render OF the national bank circulation, some
other bank does not take it up, and by adding
at the close the following: THE 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"
At the 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 reopened, adjourned
HOUSE.
Bills etc. were introduced and referred BY
Mr.. Pell of Arkansas, granting 320 acres of
the public lands to each of the Survivors of
the Mountain Meadow massacre.
By Mr.. Belford of Colorado, a resolution
calling on the secretary of state for informe-
ton as to whether Prince Bismarck has sent
to his department any letter touching the res
olution recently passed by the House con-
cerning the death of Herr Lasker, and if so,
to transmit copy of the same and inform
the House of any advices he may have on
this subject, either by telegraph or letter.
By Mr.. Nichols of Georgia, to regulate
traffic on railroads. 1t prohibits discrimin-
ating rates and combinations for the pooling
of freight.
By Mr.. Cobb of Indiana, providing for the
payment of the cost of surveying lands
granted in the aid of the construction of the
Northern Pacific railroad. and to subject the
came to taxation also for the relief Of settlers
on railroad lands.
By Mr.. King of Louisiana, appropriating
$500. 900 for the relief of suffers from floods
in the lever Mississippi valley.
By Mr.. Storm of Pennsylvania, amending
the sinking fund act.
Mr. Eldridge of Michigan, rose to q ques-
ton of privilege. He had received petition
which contained statements which, if true
would unseat the member from Michigan.
Mr.. Calkins of Indiana raised point of
order that it must be referred to q committee
through the petition box.
The speaker sustained the point and the
petition was referred to the committee on
elections.
The member whose title it attacks is H.
H. Hatch of Michigaa.
On motion of Mr.. Steele of Indiana, the
rules were suspended and bill passed to re-
lieve certain soldiers from the charge of de-
eertlon. Ii removes the cndrge OF ueeertlOn
against any soldier who served in the late
war in volunteer service. when it shall be
made to appear that such soldier served
faithfully until the expiration of the term of
enlistment or until the first of May, 1865, or
was prevented from completing his term of
service by reason of wounds received; but
who by reason of absence from the command
At the time of being mustered out, failed to
receive an honorable discharge.
On motion of Mr.. Bingham of Pennsyl-
vania, the rules were suspended and q bill
passed fixing cent for each ounce rate for
postage on second class mail matter when
sent by persons other than publishers or
newspaper agents.
A motion to adjourn vas interposed, but
was voted down by the democratic side, which
desired opportunity to set aside day for the
consideration Of the bill relating to pension
survivors of the Mexican war.
On motion of Mr.. Matson of Indiana, the
rules we're suspended and a resolution adopt
ed providing for . night session Friday even
ing for the consideration of the pension bill.
After another motion to adjourn had been
voted down, Mr.. Hewitt of Alabama moved
to suspend the rules and adopt q resolution
making the Mexican pension bill q special
order fer the 2lst district On this motiou