Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-01-01
Washington Letter.
lFrom onr RegnIar Corregpondent. }

WASHINGTON, ID. 4. Dec. 70. 1871.
Things haye reached decidedly in
teresting stage in the Senate. This
statement applies TO both the federal
election bill and the financial BILL The
democratic Senators having adopted the
tactics by which their party attempted
to obstruct the business Of the House
during the last session-retiring in a
body in order to break quorum.
Senator Aldrieh reported resolution,
adopted by the republican caucus some
days ago. to cut off debate when it has
lasted a reasonable length Of time, and
it is confidently expected that it will be
adopted within week or ten days
time. Many republicans were at first
reluctant about adopting this resolution,
but the action of the democratic Sena-
tors in absolutely refusing to set day
for taking a vote upon the election bill
convinced the doubters that such a rule
was necessary if any other business was
to be transacted at the present session,
and now the republicans are practically
unanimous in their support of the reso-
luton.
Senator Sherman, from the finance
committee, to which the financial bill
approved by the republican caucus was
referred when it was introduced. has
reported that measure to the Senate.
1t has been amended in a very impor-
tant manner. Section 4 of the bill,
which provided that when the National
bank circulation falls below $3.50, 900, 600
the deficiency shall be supplied by the
issue of treasury notes based on silver
bullion purchases if the silver can be
purchased or if not by the direct issue
of treasury notes, has been stricken out
of the bill, and the following inserted in
lieu thereof: That the Secretary of
the Treasury is hereby authorized to
issue in a sum or sums not exceeding in
the aggregate S200,O00,o00 cupon and
registered bonds of the United States in
such form as he may prescribe and Of
denominations OF $50 or some multiple
of that sum, redeemable in lawful
money at the pleasure of the United
States on aud after July 1. 1900. and
bearing interest payable semi-annually
ut the rate of per cent per annum.
And he is authorized to sell or dispose
OF the bonds issued under this act at not
less than their par value for any lawful
money of the United States, or for
gold or silver certificates. and to apply
tie proceeds thereof to the redemption
or 10 the purchase of any of the bonds
of the United States. And the bonds
hereby authorized and the proceeds
thereof shall be used for no other pur-
pose whatever. No votes were cast
in the committee against reporting the
amended bill. but the understanding
was that no member of the committee
was bound to support the bill.
1t does not please the silver Senators,
and already Senator Stewart has offered
an amendment providing for free coin
age, and Senator Reagan has reintro-
dueed his free coinage amendment
which was offered when the original
caucus bill was first introduced. Too
many Senators are now away to VEN
ture prediction Of what the fate of the
bill will be.
The House took two days holiday foc
Christmas, from Tuesday until to-day.
but SO far as doing any real business is
concerned it might as well have taken
the usual two weeks, for it has not vet
had a quorum since Monday morning.
and there is not much probability that
it will have one for at least a week to
come. The Senate adjourned from
Wednesday to Saturday.
1t was generally supposed that Sena-