Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-07
sATURDAY.......AUGUST 7. 1886.
what Congress Did.


WHAT Congress Did.
We gave yesterday . statement OF
What was done BY Congress during Its
recent session. The statement Was,
however, almost too full Of figures.
One Of the most important measures
adopted was Mr.. MoRBIsoN's resolu.
ton providing that Whenever the sur
Mus in the Treasury, including the
amount held for rsdsmption Of United
States notes, shall exceed the sum OF
400, 600, 900 it'shsll be the duty OF the
Secretary Of the Treasury to apply such
excess, in sums not less than go, 100000
p<r month, during the existence OF any
such surplus or excess, to the payment
Of the interest bearing indebtedness OF
The United States, payable at the
option Of the Government The Senate
added an amendment, which was con-
CURED in by the House Of Represents
tives, providing that the Secretary Of
the Treasury, IN his discretion, may
have in the Treasury over and above
tho foregoing sums working balance
not exceeding go, 900, 900; and when
ever in the case Of any extraordinary
emergency not now existing, and when,
because thereof, in bis opinion, tho pub
Lie interest shall require it, he may sus-
pend the further call for the payment
Of such indebtedness for such period Of
time q shall DO necessary to maintain
the public credit unimpaired, and that
such suspension, and the reasons there
for, shall bs reported to Congress within
ten days after next meeting, or imme-
diatsly II Congress shall be in session.
This law seems to be carefully
guarded, but We would not be sur
prissd if the Wall.street spectators
A. Mr.. HEWITT and others have already
done-should raise IN outcry against
Il. The words "not nov existing"
were added to the resolution IS an
instruction to the Secretary Of the
Treasury to continue the redemption
Of the public debt until some better
reason for suspsnding the same could
DO found than any reason "now ex-
isting." Az the resolution stood at
ono time, the President was au-
thorized. to order the suspension
Of the operation Of the resolution
bat after mature consideration
it was deemed best 10 confer the power
upon an official who is, to . good de-
gree, under the control of Congress.
II must have beneficial influence upon
the country to release from the Tres-
sury every month ten millions Of dol
lars. These dollars will 60 into some
body's pocket who cannot afford to
allow them to lie idle, and who will
therefore invest them. Their invest
msut in any way cannot but result to
the benefit of the country.
The law providing for silver certif.
Gates OF the denomination of one and
two dollars is another excellent mea-
sure. These notes viii prove to be a
great convenience. They are much
handler than silver dollars. Another
reason for commanding Congress is tc
DO found in its refusal to pass the forti
ficstion bill. There is no use in spend
ing money upon fortficstions, nor upoI
cannons. The world moves 80 rapid.
that the inventions Of one year are oil
and worthless the next. As to spprs
tensions tia. foreign nations will tax
advantage Of our dsfsnceless condition
they are foolish and 'unfoundsd.
dwarf does not attack . giant msrel
because the lattsr 10 not standing wit
Ssnchsd fists.
The river-and-harbor bill is anoths
measure distinctively southern an
western in It's character, just as Is Nj
MoRRlsoN's resolution 10 regard
the surplus. The same is true IS I
the refusal to pass the fertilization bill
The West and the South could zoe q
prcpriety in thus wasting the publ
treasure. Mr.. BLAINE and ell 9TH
blcody-shirt waivers may - we'll beg
to hunt up . new issue. The Sou
ana West viii not part company I
practical questions however much 4
former may be slandered by the u
ticnalists.
Congress worked hard during its 1
~ cent session. Nobody who does n
read The Congregational Record c
form any adequate conception Of {
vast burden Of inertia that keeps CO
grsssmen at work % long and 80 CO
ssantly in order to accomplish such I
suits - they are st last able to bril-
about.
II d an able House Of Represent
lives. Thsrs ID . great deal Of tale
h It. II you doubt. many congress
man who stands high ct homo can h
you hat be found In that House mi
Who tewsrsd iAs above him. The u
prsnsditAtsd running debates shove
ohss during ths late session that thsl
we're perhaps ~ good dsbatsrs in u
House Of Representatives - ever b
fare, Whilst many Of the prepare
speeches ware Arst-clsas.
-
Ths Petersburg Isdsz.AHpsal cush
4 = L.. ~tal~A a. A Az sr<ssis ~ ouee d