The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-23

Public Money to inquire into the state
ments of the Commissioner of Pensions,
that under the preceding administration
political tests were applied to applications
for pensions. The resolution empowered
the commissioner to send for persons and
papers, and to employ a stenographer. MIR.
Harrison asked it's immediate considera-
lion. On the objection OF Mr.. Cockrell, the
resolution went over under the rule.
Mr.. Beck called upthe resolution heretofore
offered by him directing the Commissioner
on Finance to inquire whether the coin
paid for import duties had been set apart
as a special fund and applied to the pay.
ment OF interest on United States bonds.
etc., as required by law Mr.. Beck spokeat
considerable length on his resolution. The
laws OF land, be said, were equally binding
on the highest executive officer, and the
humblest citizen, yet the laws to which his
resolution referred had not for many years
been complied with by the Treasury Off
Gals. No more statesmanlike message
has ever emanated from the Executive
Mansion, in MIR. Beck's opinion, than Presi-
dent Cleveland's first message, but he
Beck did not agree with his position re-
garding silver. Thrr--ioultls OF the bust
ness troubles are from the fact that the
laws OF the United States were not carried
out by our executive officers. Combina-
lions OF bankers and bondholders and
their well paid press, were opposed to sill
yer. and their present crusade against that
metal was another evidence OF the audacity
of the organizations OF wealth. Organiza-
lions upon which they had always secured
whatever they had demanded. Mr.. Beck ex-
pressed the opinion that there was not an
obligation e~xistin, in this country,
National or null pal, that could
not legally b." paid in gold
or silver OF the United States. The
bondholders OF the United States, he said,
controlled enormous amounts OF money
and the best talent OF the press, and hav-
ing now captured the executive branches OF
| the government, they were clamoring for
| gold, and gold alone, in settlement OF their
claims. How was the surplus silver to get
| out of the treasury if the Secretary OF the
| Treasury would not call in the bonds that
ought to be called in, and pay out in silver
The people and their representatives, how
ever, supported silver. No executive Off
crer should be allowed to disregard the
law. He would, if he could. take from the
banks their political power and their i'll
fluence on currency. as shown when they
received President Hayes veto on Il men,
( orable occasion.
Mr.. Morrill, remarked that Mr.. Beck's
speech seemed to be a very elaborate as
sault on the Secretary OF the Treasury and
the President, and if this resolution, in
support OF which it was delivered, should
pass the Senate, it would be equivalent to
Il vote, or a want Of confidence in the
President and his Administration. He re-
gretted that the Senator from Kentucky
should have represented the Secretary OF
the Treasury as little better than com.
mon thief, and the Presidents and Secretary
of the Treasurery together as having been
bought by bondholders, but as there is a
probability no Senator ION the left" was
at present prepared to enter into the de.
tense OF the present Administration, he
would move reference OF the resolution
to the Committee on Finance. 1t was SC
referred.
Senator Buffers recent resolution, rel It
ing to Dakota, was referred to the Com
mittee on Territories. The Senate passed
the House concurrent resolution p%rovidin!
Tor a holiday recess, and, after an executiv,
session. adjourned until January 5.