The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-04
THE HOUSE.

nxr. Bland Calls for Internationally. Brady's
Response to Mr.. wise's Attack.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-The Speaker laid be-
fore the House communication from the Sec
rotary of the Treasury recommending the ap-
preparation of 900 to enlarge the United
States penitentiary at Boise City. l. T. Re-
ferred.
Also, communication from the Postmaster
general ia response to House resolution calling
for information as to what changes should be
madsia the law regulating compensation to rail-
--ssad companies for carrying the mails. The
Postmaster general states that up to the press nt
time he has been unable to form any clear opin-
ion as to what changes should be made in the
law. AT future day. he states. he will be able
to lay before the House all the information
which inquiries that have been instituted and
are approaching completion will afford. Re-
ferred
Mr.. Bland of Missouri from the committee
on coinage weights and measures desired to re-
port back the resolution offered by him on Mon
day last, calling on the Secretary Of the Treas
ury for certain information relative to silver
circulation.
Mr.. Morrison. of Illinois, stating that he wished
to examine the resolution, made the point that it
was not accompanied by report, as required by
the rules.
Mr. Bland withdrew the resolution for the
present.
Later in the sitting, Mr.. Bland, having pre-
pared short report, again submitted his pre-.
amble and resolution. which, as amended by the
committee. read as follows
tha ~ fba ANA
Bankers Association, held at Chicago, H.. in the
month of September. 1885, Mr.. George s. Coe a
md this president of the American Exchange National
ank, of New York city made in address de.
,vered before said convention the following state
snts, viz: Under these peculiar circumstances
serring to assumed dangers resulting from the con-
nued coinage of silver. the new government came
INTO power 1t was at once confronted by the pecu-
far difficulties surrounding the Treasury Depart
ment Like his predecessor the President clearly APP
preciated the magnitude and imminence of the dan
ger, and in the interim, before the meeting of Con-
gress he is taking efficient steps practicable
under existing law to the Nation from being
precptated into tho deep abyss Of financial deteriora
ton. His temporary expedient is both simple and
SAFE The law requires the Treasury to purchase not
less than 5000 600 worth of silver bullion per month
and coin it into dollars. But he is required to pay
them out only when necessary. To avoid this neces
sity, the Treasurer confines his disbursements
strictly legal demands and refrains from monthly
payments, as hitherto of the funded debt The sur
plus revenue supplies requisite means not only to
purchase the monthly of silver bullion required
by law. but also to withdraw sufficient amount of
silver certificates issued upon previous purchases to
overcome the excessive accumulations which per.
picked prior administrations. This will safely hold
the situation until Congress shall convene The tenn
porary danger which existed until income thus
took expenditures satisfactorily arranged by
cert with the clearing house committee in New York
whose earnest efforts at that critical moment to pre-
the gold standard enlisted in behalf of the
commercial community which it is their function to
specially represent" and
Whereas. Near the close of the second session OF
E0rty.elQhGh Congress-. ON tha 1av "a
February. 1888 this House refused by a decided
vote to consider then pending proposition looking to
belt : 'i'i ''''0
Resolved, By this house, that the Secretary of the
Treasury be and is hereby requested to inform this
house whether or not any such agreement or ar.
rangement effected by the management of the
Treasury Department with the clearing house com
mittee in New York with any other association
alleged in the said address of Mr. Coe and
If SO, by what authority such arrangement was made
and carried OUT and further. to inform this house
what amount OF silver dollars were in the Treasury
on the 4sh gay OF March last, nrepresented by out
standing certificates and what amount of silver GER
tihcates was IN circulation; what amount of such dol
lars are now In the treasury unrepresented by out
standing certificates and what amount of such GER
fihcates s now in circulation; also what amount of
silver dollars was in the Treasury the 4th day of
March last that could have been applied in the paw.
ment of the bearing debt and other dues Of
the government, and what amount of such dollars Is
held in the Treasury which could be so annl;ed.
also what amount of silver certificates is held in the
Treasury that could be reissued; also what amount
# interest bearing debt is subject to call and
i'll the same policy be pursued in the payment OF
liver coin and other public dues in tho future as
IA the past.
Mr.. Morrison would not object to the resolu-
ton, but thought that il went too far in asking
what was to be the policy of the Treasury De-
partment.
Mr.. Bland replied that the past policy of the
administration was known, and that it was
proper that Congress should know whether il
was to be pursued or not
Mr.. Randall, OF Pennsylvania. inquired
whether there was any way of getting in q
motion to strike ont the clause in regard to the
future policy of the administration. The policy
of the administration could be judged by It's
acts.
The Speaker replied that he would examine