National Republican., 1885-01-16
SENATE AND HOUSE.


Did Yesterday.
In the senate Yesterday Mr.. Miller, OF ali
fornia, from the committee on foreign rela-
tons, reported a substitute for the bill hereto
fore introduced which had been intended to
give the President general authority to accept
invitations to international exhibitions. The
substitute simply authorizes the President to
accept the invitation to the Belgian 1ntcrna-
tional exhibition and to send to Antwerp the
government exhibits now at New orleans
when the New Orleans Exhibition shall have
been closed
Mr. Miller said some senators thought the
general bill too broad, while none objected to
the substitute. He wished II considered i'm
mediatcly.
Messrs sewell and Platt supported the sub
stltutc. The latter thought, however, that the
exhibits would perhaps be placed TO greater
advantage III the inventors exhibition to be
held ut London, especially in view OF the TACT
that the patent office yields to the government
u large surplus beyond the expenses.
The matter then went over until to-day.
At 300 the senate, on motion of Senator
Miller, Of California, went Into executive ses-
sion, and coutinuedin secret session until 900,
when II adjourned.
In the house yesterday the McPherson fund
ing bill was debated during almost the entire
session.
MIR wilkins, OF Ohio, gave a brief statement
of the features of the Mcpherson bill and the
causes which ncccsstated the passage OF some
such measure. The simple provision Of the
bill was to increase the circulation OF nation
bank notes from 90 per cent of the bonds de-
posted TO secure such circulation to 100 per
cent. Tho proposition was so simple and
comprehensive that II seemed to him that the
discussion should not be prolonged.
Tho question was further discussed by
Nessrs. Henderson, of Iowa; McMillln, Of
Tennessee Warner, OF Ohio Weller, Of Iowa;
Naplc of Michigan Cook, of Iowa Brumm,
Of Pennsylvania shively, Of Indiana Er-
mentrout, of Pennsylvania Potter, Of New
York Hewitt, of New York, and Hunt, Of
Louisiana.
motion to recommlt the bill to the committee
on banking and currency, with instructions
to report back bill proposed by him TO re.
fund the bonded debt of tho United States at
2l3 per cent. interest, to reduce taxation upon
circulating bank note currency, and to secure
such currency against unnecessary disturb.
anco and tluctuation by applying the national
revenues economically to payment OF the
Mr.. Hewitt preferred the bill proposed by
his colleague lMr. pOtter) because Il would
take the surplus money oithe treasury and use
1t for the purpose of reducing tho rate of in-
torest on the bonds The principal of the
bonds would still remain as the basis for bank
ing
Mr. wilkins, who had charge of the McPher-
son bill, demanded the previous question on
the bill aud amendments, pending which Mr..
Mills of Texas, moved that the house ad-
jOurn, stating that tho democrats wished to
hold caucus. Tho motion was carried
yeas, 100; nays, ll2.
While this was in no sense n test vote on the
McThersOn bill many members voting inthc
affirmative in order that Il caucus might be
heidi, II operates as II virtual defeat of that
measure, US the special order Is not continu-
ing order
Mr.. Buckncr chairman of the banking and
currency committee, said to an Associated
Press reporter: THAT settles the bill We VIII
never again be able to get 1t before the house.
Prior to the adjournment the house, on mo
ton OF Mr. Randall non-concurred In the
senate amendments to the six.months' naval
appropriation bill, and Messrs. Randall, Hol-
man, aud Long were appointed conterees on
! the part of the house on the disagreeing votes
OF the two houses upon this bill.