Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-28

question. "Shall the bill be read Sc
cond time ?" There was, therefore, on
a measure OF such importance no want
Of courtesy in taking tho sense Of the
Senate on the question OF ordering the
bill to O second reading. When mea-
sure so strange, so unique, so impor-
tapt as to attract attention on its broad
merits, was introduced, 1t was not only
right but wise that its principles should
be considered, and that (if it was thought
vicious) it should be put an end to then.
This was bill which either conferred
benefit on particular class OF persons
because OF the particular quality and re-
lation which they occupied, or else it
was mere sham and humbug. The
Senator from New Hampshire had shown
that the bill would be undoubtedly
great benefit to the particular
class of persons described in it. j. was
not. therefore. a sham and humbug.
There was now on the statute book law
saving that particular class of United
States citizens who had distinguished
themselves in fighting for their country
should be preferred in a certain class OF
Government employment. This bill
proposed that certain class OF United
States citizens who had distinguished
themselves in fighting against their
country should be in like manner pre-
ferred-and for the same reason.
That was the proposition. He thought
il safe TO say that no such proposition
had ever before been made in any legis-
lative body. and probably no such pro-
position would ever again be made. 1t
destroyed all distinction between patrl-
otism and reverse. Nobody objected to
Confederate soldiers or Confederate
citizens sitting in either house
of Congress. They did not occu-
DIV such seats because they had been
Confederates, but because (the period OF
hostility having passed away they stood
Just like every other citizen-no better
and no worse. As to the appointment
Of Mosby and other ex-Coniederates by
Grant, he said that Grant had not APP
pointed them because they had been Con-
federates, but because they were useful
and patriotic citizens. He hoped the
Senate would take no further step with
the bill.
Without disposing Of the question the
Senate. at O'Clock, took up House bill
to provide for the purchase of United
States bonds by the Secretary OF the
Treasury, the pending question being on
the amendment offered yesterday by Mr.
Stewart authorizing deposit OF gold or
silver bullion and the issuance OF coin
certificates therefor.
Mr.. Teller took the floor and spoke
for two hours, advocating Mr.. Stewards
amendment and making general argu-
ment in favor Of silver for all financial
purposes. He said that until the United
States Government took the bacE-track
and planted itself squarely on the doc
trine that silver coin must be treated the
same as gold coin, the United States
would have little or no effect on the
financial conduct Of other nations.
When the Government would have done
that there would he no further question
about the price Of silver.
Mr.. Reagan presented an amendment
which he desired to have printed Ito be
offered hereafter authorizing the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury to cancel interest.
bearing bonds with the 500, 200, 900 OF
gold now reserved in the Treasury for
tho redemption OF legal-tender notes
and repeating that portion of the re-
sumption act which requires the re-
demption of legal-tender notes in coin.
Mr.. Beck gave notice that he would
also offer as an amendment the bill
which he had introduced on the same
subject
On motion Of Mr.. Sherman q com.
mittee Of five senators TO attend the
funeral of the late Chief Justice at To-
ledo, Ohio, was ordered, and Messrs.
Sherman, Allison, Evarts, George, and
Gray were appointed.
MIR. Sherman suggested that in the
absence of these senators further action
or discussion on the bond bill should be
suspended and Mr.. Hoar asked and OBJ
tanned unanimous consent to have the
Senate proceed during the remainder Of
the week assuming that there would be
no business attended to tomorrow, and
that there would be no session on Good
Friday to the consideration OF bills on
the calendar.
Mr.. Palmer moved that the bond bill
be recommitted to the Committee on FL
nance.
The motion was entered and will be
pending when the bill is taken up again
next week.
After a brief executive session the
Senate at 4:lj adjourned to meet at 11:30
A. Nj. tomorrow.
House OF Representatives.
The Speaker laid before the House the