Morning journal and courier., 1886-08-05
report was agreed to without division and
the Senate adjourned.


the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-With the belief that the end of
| the session was near there was a rush among
members which was almost a stampede
Claimants rushed about everywhere demand
| ing to see their members and the usual pan
| demonium characteristic of the closing hours
| of the session prevailed.
A resolution expressive of the sorrow of
the House at the death of Tilden was passed.
| The Senate amendments to the fortifica-
| ton appropriation bill were non-concurred
| in and Messrs. Forney, Randall and Butter
worth were appointed conferees.
Mr.. Morrison called up the conference re-
| port on the surplus joint resolution. He ex-
planned the amendments and said
| the resolution made provision for
the call of such bonds as were
subject to call. There were $3.50, 0OO, 900
three per cents uncalled. By $40, 1000, 900
| calls they would all be taken up in thirteen
months and the resolution would have exc
cuted itself. There would be no public debt
until 1891 to which it could apply. In those
| thirteen menths $50, 000, 900 of the $130, 0OO,-
600 would be taken up by the sinking funds
In those thirteen months the surplus receipts
of the government would exceed $32 .000, 900,
SO that only $4,000, 900 of the present surplus
fund would be required to be taken out
of the treasury in the thirteen months to ex-
tinguish the debt. Consequently at the end
of the year all the debt that could be paid
would have been paid and there would still
be thirty million surplus. During further
remarks Mr.. Morrison in explaining the dis
erection to be exercised by the Secretary of
the Treasury in an extraordinary emergency
confessed that he did net know what would
constitute such extraordinary emergency
and said if the United States had cut
throat war in Mexico or fishery war in
out it would not be surplus. Mr.
Morrison, in replying to the criticism
that the passage of the resolution was
expressive of a want of confidence in the
administration, declared that in passing the
original resolution the House simply dis
charged it's duty He had felt that the Pres
ident was discharging his duty and his oath
as he understood it and that much the Presi-
dent must allow to Congress.
Mr.. Hewitt characterized the principle
which underlay the resolution as vicious.
The measure would bring the country to
silver basis. 1t would cause a transfer from
gold to a silver basis by which twenty-five
per cent. of all the property of the country
would change without the consent of the
owner.
Mr.. Baird opposed the report and Messrs.
Breckenridge, Hiscock Cannon, Brown, But
terworth and Randall favored it. The report
accepted, 100 to So.
Mr.. Belmont, from the Foreign Affairs
committee, reported the Cutting resolutions
agreed upon by the committee yesterday and
they were considered by unanimous consent.
Mr.. Hit said he had voted for the resolu-
tions under misrepresentation. Upon read
ing the correspondence he found that in
stead of the Mexican government having re-
fused to release Cutting it had shown every
spirit of compliance. There was no evasion.
There was no defiance. There was nearly
humiliation in the tone of the feeble govern
ment before the sudden defiant demand of
the Secretary of State in the name of the
President.
Mr.. Bland inquired whether Cutting was
not in Jail.
Mr.. Hit replied that he was, but said up
on the interference of the Mexican minister
of foreign affairs he had been offered release
on bail, which he had refused. That was the
work of the mischief making consul there
who made speeches to crowds on the streets
about vindicating the rights of his country.
That was the incarnation of indiscretion. |
Who had charge of our foreign affairs there? |
Cutting, acting by the advice of the consul, |
declared that his case was no longer an in |
dividual, but an international affair, and |
persisted in sitting in prison when |
he could go out at any moment |
he pleased. The government, Mr.. Hit |
said, was doing in this case what it had done |
in hundred other cases, interfering to Sc
cure the release of one of its citizens. There |
was every prospect of cordial cooperation |
by Mexico and he did not believe the Demo |
cratic Secretary of State was so incompetent |
that he could not carry on this case with |
Mexico when he had been so successful in |
other cases. The demand was answered in |
friendly spirit. 1t was for interests, it |
was for the sake of our own people, it was
for the sake of all nations that we should |
preserve peace. The Secretary knew that he |
had the backing of Congress and all Ameri-
cans in defending the rights Of Americans.
Never has there been an uncertain tone of |
voice uttered by this any other Congress |
on that subject.
Mr.. Belmont was somewhat surprised that |
Mr.. Hit should have changed his opinion. on |
this subject. His friend denied that Mexico |
had refused the demand of the United States, |
but he could find no better authority than |
the Secretary of State and that officer had |
declared that Mexico had refused to release |
Cutting. He commented upon the correct |
ness of the extra-territorial jurisdiction of |
Mexico upon which the case hinges.
Pending further discussion Mr.. Morrison |
moved that the House take recess until 10 |
o'clock tomorrow, and the hour of o'clock |
having arrived the House adjourned.