The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-02
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.

Insufficient Appropri ations-Al Proposition
Looking to Suspension of Silver Coinage.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate letter from the Attorney gen.
eral, stating that the deficiency bill, as passed by
the House, insufficiently provides for the ex-
penses, ETC.. in connection with the United States
courts not more than one-half the estimates
having in any case, been allowed. The Attor
ney- general further states that there will not be
money enough to carry on the courts named dur
ing the coming four months, unless further pro-
vision be made Referred to the committee on
appropriations
Mr. Hale submitted the report of the confer
ence committee on the agricultural appropriation
bill. which was agreed to.
Mr.. Van Wyck, from the committee on inn
provement of the Mississippi river reported fa-
vorably bill introduced by him, making an
appropriation of $50, 600 for improvement of the
Missouri river, at or near Eastport, opposite
Nebraska City. Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Hill submitted, for reference to the COM
mittee on public lands, resolution expressing
the opinion of the Senate that no patent should
issue to the assignee of the New Orleans, Baton
Rouge & Vicksburg Railroad Company, until the
Senate has acted on the pending bill relating to
the subject Referred as desired.
The substitute for the river and harbor bill
was read second time and referred to the COM
mittee on commerce, which, on request of Mr..
Mcmillan, secured permission to sit during the
session of the Senate.
Mr. Mitchell offered the following preamble
and resolution:
Whereas, The commercial value of silver has far
deprecated that the standard silver dollars coined un
der the act of 1873 worth but 81 cents in
the open market; and,
Whereas, Continued coinage of such deprecated
dollars, now amounting to nearly 300, OOO0 600,
seriously threatens suspension of gold payments by
the government from necessity, and the consequent
Punishment of gold coin from active circulation there
fore,
hereby is instructed forthwith to prepare and report
to the Senate proper bill to provide for the mme-
aid for resumption of such coinage whenever the
commercial value of the standard dollars aforesaid
shall rise to within per cent of par with the stand
ard gold dollars Of the United States.
Mr.. Mitchell asked unanimous consent to have
the resolution considered at once, and to have
read in connection with the resolution "a very
important letter from distinguished person, =
meaning the letter of the President elect Just
published, on the silver question.
Objection was made by Messrs. Harris.
MaXey Cameron of Wisconsin and others, both
to reading the letter and the present considera
ton of the resolution. and the matter therefore
went over one day under the rule
The Senate then, on motion OF Mr. Wilson,
took up the House bill to forfeit the unearned
lands granted the State of Iowa to aid in the
construction of the Sioux City & St Paul rail
road.
Pending debate on this bill, the House bills
providing for erection of public building at the
following places were taken up and passed:
Aberdeen, Miss, the cost not to exceed SIC. OO0
Clarksburg, w. Va. $4,000; Wichita, Kan,
SO, 600; Port Townsend, Washington Territory,
$40, 600; for an appraisers Office Chicago. $50,
600; also, bill Increasing to $1,000 600 the ap-
preparation for public building at Louisville.
message being received from the House an
nouncing disagreement with the Senate on the
postoffice appropriation bill, the Senate, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Plumb, insisted on its amendments.
and the Chair designated Messrs. Plumb Allison
and Beck committee of conference.
The Senate resolved to admit to the floor
members elect of the House of Representatives
A House bill was passed authorizing the col
le ctor of the port of New York to deliver free of
duty, to A. B. Van Hulsen. of that city, silver
cup, won by him at Wimbledon England as
member of the American rife team.
EsDebate on the Sioux City Il st. Paul for
feiture bill was then resumed.
Mr. Plumb called up and the Senate passed
House bill donating to the city Of Kerwin, Kan,
site for a cemetery.
Adjourned TO Monday o'clock.