National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-11


but that officer was at least entitled to have
MS action reviewed in the light of the law.
The facts were that country bank shipped
S20,OOO by express to the subtreasury at
New Orleans 'for account of another
bank in New Orleans. The express agent
had no authority to receive silver certi1-
Gates for that silver and what he demanded
Of the assistant treasurer was not silver
certificates, but ''receipt.n
Mr. Coke asked II II had not been the
custom under all former administrations
for the assistant treasurer to give receipts
until the money was counted.
Mr.. George declared such custom illegal
II IL ever existed.
Mr.. Coke inquired II there was any law
against itP
Mr.. George replied that for q Estates
right Democrat--n "strict constitution
isb'--l like his friend from Texas (Mr. ColIe)
TO make such an inquiry was rather singu.
lar II was sufficient that there was no law
to authorize IL.
Mr.. George proceeded to show that there
was no law authorizing such custom, and
contended that II the assistant treasurer had
taken tho silver dollars and issued ere
ceipt' for them, the government would
make itself guarantor for the safe keeping
OF the money against thieves, fire, &c. In
other words, the government would become
the "bailee' for other peoples goods. Mr..
George entered at some length into the
legal aspects Of the question, and insisted
that the notion of the treasury officials In
the case under consideration was in every
respect sound, and in compliance with law.
Mr.. Eustis said he had tolegraphed 10
Mr.. Roach at New Orleans to ascertain the
purpose of the bank shipments of silver.
His reply, to-day received, was as follows !.
Shippers sought to get rid of excessive silver
ny shipping TO subtTehsury aud asking that
silver certificates therefor shotild be turned
over to their New Orleans correspondents. Tho
subtrensurer declined to receive from express
company because. first, doubted the proprlety
OF treasury. becoming Intermediary between
country and city banks; secondly for lack OF
clerical force j feel assured that provision
Tor sufficient clerks would remedy everything.
. 7. II. ROACH
Mr.. Coke said that Mr.. Georges legal
argument might he correct, so far as the
technical point involved was concerned,
but there could be no doubt that the spirit
OF the law OF 1873, requiring the issue of
silver certificates In certain cases, had been
defeated by the assistant treasurer at New
Orleans.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired why the admins
ration did not turn out this Republican
rascal and put in q Democrat who would
understand his duties under the lawY
Mr.. Coke. Is he u Republican,
Mr.. Edmunds. i do not know. | sup
pose, If he is as bad as that, he must be.
Mr.. Coke said he did not care what the
mans politics WERE
Mr. Edmunds repeated his inquiry as TO
the politics OF the assistant treasurer at
New Orleans-whether he was an old officer
or some new man?
Mr.. Gibson replied that the officer re-
ferred to had been appointed by the present
administration.
swell, /" remarked Mr.. Edmunds In a
regretful tone, at is very bad state OF
things.n [Laughter.l
The debate then closed and the matter
went over.
Mr.. Dolph submitted aramendmeut TO
Mr.. Sherman's silver bill, which was or
dered printed. In the original bill IL Is pro-
vided that the amount Of coin certificates
at any time outstanding should not exceed
the cost OF the bullion purchased by such
certificates. Mr.. Dolph's amendment Is to
strike out the words "the cost Of the bull
lion purchased by such certificates" and
make the provision read as follows
The amount of such certificates at any time
outstanding shall not exceed the market value
OF the bullion in the treasury purchased under
the provisions of this act and retained as SO.
CuTlty Tor such certificates, and whenever, at
me end OF any fiscal year, such outstanding
certificates shall be In excess, in amount of
the market value of such bullion, the Secretary
OF the Treasury shall retire and withhold from
circulation nn amount of such certificates re-
ceiyed By the United States for customs, taxes.
ana public dues equal to snch excess until such
time as the same can be put In circulation
without increasing the amount of such certln-
Gates beyond the market value of such bullion.
At4:15 p. M, on motion Of Mr.. Edmunds,
the Senate went into executive session, and
when, at 800, the doors were reopened, the
Senate adjourned,