The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-28
THE FIPTIETH CONGRESS.
Discussion of Blair's Confed crate Soldier Bi
and the Bond Pur chase Measure.

Discussion of Blair's Confed crate Soldier Bill
aud the Bond Purchase Measure.
WASHINGTON, March 2Z-The presiding of
fcer laid before the Senate q communication
from the marshal of the Supreme Court, invit-
ing the Senate, by direction Of the Justices. to
attend the funeral ceremonies of the late Chief
justice. in the hall of the House of Representa-
tives, at noon tomorrow. Tbs invitation
accepted, and il was ordered that the Senate
meet tomorrow at HAS o'clock
Mr.. Palmer introduced bill for purchase of
the Portage Lake ship-canal.
Mr.. Dolph offered resolution, which was
adopted, calling on this Secretary of the Treas
ury for information as 10 tbs necessity for for
tlfcations in Pueets sound, and as to the prac-
tlcabllity of fortifyiug the entrance to the
sound
ment of commission to establish the boundary
line between northern Minnesota and the Cana
dian provinces. Referred.
MIR. Blair called mp the question of the second
reading Of the bill introduced by him some time
since to give preference to disabled confederate
soldiers as between men who had been disloya,
in appointments to civil Office
Mr.. Edmund s opposed the second reading of
the bill There was now. he said. on the statute
books law saying 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 q certain class of United
States citizens who had disting uished themselves
in fighting against their country should be also
preferred. ami for the same reason. That was
the proposition. He thought it safe 60 say that
no such proposition had ever before been made
in any legislative body. and probably such
proposition would ever again be made.
1t destroy ed all distinction between patriotism
and the reverse. Nobody objected 10 confeder-
ate soldiers or confederate citizens sitting in
either house OF Congress. They Gid not occupy
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 worse. AS to the ap-
pointment of Mosby and other ex-confederates
by Presidents Grant he said President Grant had
appointed them, not because tney had been
federates, but because they we're useful and
patriotic citizens He hoped that the Senate
would take no further step with the BILL
Without disposirg of the question, the Senate
took up the unfinished business of yesterday,
being consideration OF the Ho1se 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 the deposit of gold or
silver bullion. and the issuance of coin certih-
Gates therefor.
Mr.. Teller addressed the Senate, applying him
self. first, to the task OF rsfutng the statement
that the depreciation of silver due its
overproducton. He did not believe that any
person whose judgment entitled to any
sIderator. whatever, save and except those who
were connected with the executive department
of the government, would seriously make such
q statement He denied that silver had fallen.
He knew that it would not now buy much
gold IL would buy in 1873; 1T would buy more
wheat, more corn, land, manufactured goods
than it would buy then. II there had been
honest administration of the finances of this
country. there would not have been anywhere
IN the world the suggestion that there
overprod nction of silver. It was not because of
an overproducton that there was such diver
gency between silver and god, but IL was be-
cause of the decentralization OF silver. and of
that alone He said thar until the United States
government took the back track, and planted
itself sQuarely on the doctrine that silver coin
must be treated the same an gold coin, the
United States would have little or influence
the financial conduct of other nations When
the government shall have done that there will
be further question about the price OF silver.
He disclaimed. both for himself and his State,
any special interest in the silver question. He
should have held the same views. living in Com
nscticut he held. living IL Colorado Tho
government had not paid TO the miners OF Colo
RADIO dollar in subsidy or bounty. In the ear
ly days of the present administration, when
silver went u9. the Treasury Departments waited
a week To buy what it required for coinage pnr-
poses. and by that great financial feat had saved
$1,000. In the $780, 100000 OF silver which the