The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-19
THE FORTY NINTH CONGRESS-
Mr.. Ingalls, Asks for Information Con-
corning National Banks and Bonds.
Mr.. Enstis Argues in Favor of the Silver Dol
lar-Passage of the Bill Increasing Sala-
ries Of United States Judges.
Dfr. Inealis's Request for Informatfon-Mr'
Eustis Argues in Favor of Silver.

one by Mr.. Coke, from merchants OF Ell Paso,
Tex, complaining of smuggling on the Mexican
border, and urging Congress to take measures to
put a stop to it.
Also, by Mr.. Dolph and Mr. Mitchell, memo.
rails of the State Legislature of Oregon, praying
Congress to make appropriations for the i'm
proyement of the navigation of the Columbia
river and the establishment of a public park in
Oregon.
Among reports submittedfrom committees was
one by Mr.. Cullom, from the committee appoint
ed to investigate the subject of the regulation of
freight and passenger rates on railroad and
water routes. With the report Mr.. Cullom sub
mitted a bill regulating interstate commerce,
which ne asked might be referred back to the
committee and that the committee be continued.
The request was granted, and a resolution passed
ordering the printing of 5000 copies of the COM
mittee's report and the testimony taken be-
fore it.
Mr.. ingalls, offered 8. resolution directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to inform the Senate
what proportion of the $40. 00O, 900 of United
States bonds called for payment on Feb. 1, 1886,
are held by national banks as a basis for circula-
ton, and how much by each such bank.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired whether Mr.. ingalls,
thought the Senate had any right to call on the
Secretary of the Treasury for any information.
II have seen it questioned in the newspapers"
Mr.. Edmunds added.
Mr.. ingalls, supposed Mr.. Edmunds was hardly
serious in asking such a question upon the reso-
luton offered.
Mr. Edmunds remarked that he was perfectly
serious.
Mr.. ingalls, said he understood that q large
proportion of the bonds to be called in On Feb. l
were held by national banks and that instead
of any money being paid on aof the treasury
there was to be o process of bookkeeping by
which a large amount of circulation was to be
retired and the currency to that extent con-
tracted. He thought it concerned the country
to know if such was the fact. Continuing. Mr..
Ingalls, said he did not know whether the Senate
had any right to call on the Secretary of the
Treasury for any Information in his possession,
but the Senate should know whether 1t was en-
titled to ask for Information.
Mr.. Ccckrell asked whether the law did not re-
quire the Secretary of the Treasury to call in the
outstanding bonds in q certain order, and
whether the Secretary of the Treasury could
adopt any different order.
Mr.. Ingalls, said his resolution involved no
implication against the Secretary of the Treas
ury.
MIR. Cockrell repeated his question.
Mr.. ingalls, said that there was no doubt that
MIR. COckrelTs statement was true. Mr.. ingalls,
merely whished to know what proportion Of the
money now In the Treasury was to be paid out
for the bonds called for on the LIST of February.
Mr.. Edmunds thought the resolution a proper
one in any event. The point made by him, with
what had been regarded, perhaps, as a sense of
humor, was made in order that the Senate might
be sensible of the fact that the public press had
lsrgely given out the idea that Congress had no
right to know anything that was being done in
any of the executive departments. He merely
wanted the Senate to vote with its eyes thus
opened upon the subject.
Mr.. Morrill, thought the resolution of sufficient
Importance tchave it 60 over until tomorrow.
lswensa osSr accordingly.
Mr.. Frye offered o resolution relating to the
fisheries, a preamble to which recites the fol-
lowing:
Whereas, the President had recommended Congress
to provide for a commission to settle and adjust the
fisheries question; and
Whereas, The fisheries question has been settled for
ten years past, under the treaty of Washington, at a
cost of $4,000. 600 of money and remission of
$6t 700, 900 Of duties in that period; and. !.
Whereas, That treaty had resulted In an increase of
50t,vessels and i 600 seamen to the Canadian fish
erie feet. with a corresponding decrease in the fish
ing leet of the United States; therefore, be it.
Resolved, That, IN the opinion of the Senate, a
conn ission, clothed with the powers referred to,
ought not to be provided by Congress.
Mr.. Morgan said it would have been a great
injury TO stop the work OF the fishing fleets in
the middle of their cruises, and perhaps the
President. in concert with the British authori-
ties, had strained a point IN order to accommo-
date the interests and provide for the welfare Of
that large class of people.
Mr.. Hoarthought that our fishermen did not
think that the arrangement had been made in
their interest.
Mr.. Dawes said the ''suddenness'' of the emer-
gency had not rendered the arrangements neces.
Sary. A years notice had been given.
Mr.. Frye said that no American fisherman had
asked or proposed such an arrangement That
had been left for Mr.. West, the British minister,
to do. For one hundred years Great Britain
had been protecting" the interests of American
fishermen. Mr.. Frye characterized the Ear
rangement" referred to as the most marvellous
piece of business m the way of diplomacy that
our history could show. Our fishermen" he
said, do not ask the British minister to interfere
to protect them, but they do ask
that the United States of America be self, assert
i've. and that is all they ask. Our fishermen ask
that this great Republic of fifty millions of peo-
pie shall protect her. fishermen in their rights.
They demand that, instead Of Welding to Great
Britain, as has been done every time, we shall
stand by our rights" The fishermen, he said,
know as well as we know. that Great Britain
dare not undertake. to defend the course of the
Canadians in taking United States vessels into
colonial ports and trying and condemning them
on the evidence of colonial witnesses who stood
on the shore and looked out to sea and Guessed"
that the vessels were within three miles. Let the
Omitted Stairs show what they were able to do.
not be frightened 10 death by the ghosts of dead
treaties. Our executive officers we're trembling
at the ghost of the Clayton ulwer treaty, which
Great Britain had regarded dead for a quarter
Of a century.
Mr.. Morgan expressed his establishment at the
vigor and zeal with which the question was
argued. No Just criticism of the President or
Secretary of State could be based on the infor-
nation before the Senate. He was entirely sur
prised to hear that the arrangement spoken of
was an undue exercise of power on the part of
the executive department, and that American
fishermen were not to be benefited by it. Mr..
Morgan was for the sway Of reason, for the in
huence OF justice and truth in preference to war
or anything that looked like war.
After further debate the resolution went over.
Mr.. Conger giving notice that he would ask to be
heard on it tomorrow.
Mr.. Teller also gave notice that tomorrow he
would ask to be heard ON the silver question.
Mr.. Harrison offered a resolution to admit
Hon. John G. Mordv. of Tennessee, to the floor
Of the Senate during this session.
Mr.. Cockrell objected.
Messrs. Edmunds and Harrison appealed to