Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-19
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10
SENATE.


Mr.. Allen offered resolution for the
appointment of 8 select committee to
inquire as to whether the State OF AL
bama has q republican form of govern
ment and as to the conduct of the re-
cent election in that State.
The resolution went over, MIR. Allen
stating that he would address the Sen
ate upon it after the holiday recess.
Mr.. Allen also offered resolution
for the appointment of select commit
tee to inquire into various matters IN
connection with the Senate restaurant.
On objection by Mr.. Hal he resolu
ton went over till tomorrow.
A Joint resolution to revive the grade
of lieutenant general of the United
States army was introduced by MIR.
Hawley and was referred to the COM
mittee on military affairs.
House bill to establish national
military park at the battlefield ofShiloh
was passed.
A bill to grant pension of 500 a
month to the widow of Brigadier-
General Edward Jardine was introduce
ed by Mr.. Hawley and referred to the
committee on pensions.
The resolution offered yesterday by
Mr.. Lodge calling on the President for
a record of the proceedings in the ex-
tradition case of General Ezeta was
taken up and agreed to.
The Nicaragua canal bill was taken
uD at p. M, and Mr.. Cullom address,
ed the Senate in favor of the bill and
urged the maintenance of "the wise
policy known as the Monroe doctrine. "
HOUSE.
Mr.. McRae asked unanimous consent
for the present consideration of one or
two bridge bills, but Mr.. English,
whose bill appropriating 100000 for
the extension of the Newark, n. j.,
custom house has not yet been acted
upon, objected.
Mr.. Springer moved that the House
resolve itself into committee Of the
whole to consider the currency bill
Agreed to and Mr.. Richardson took
the chair.
Mr.. Johnson was the first speaker
He said it was fashionable in certain
quarters now to decry the present cur.
rency system of the country. Those
who denounced it were so occupied
with the work that they had no mind
left with which to propose systems to
take its place when it shall be destroy
ed. If the country was to be relieved
from toe present condition, said Mr.
Johnson, it was not to be found along
this avenue, but rather in some
element from which common fair
ness, common prudence and COM
mon sense had not altogether de-
parted. The present banking and cur
rency system had served the purposes
for which it was intended as long as
the revenues of the government were
sufficient to meet its expenditures. II
was only when revenues fell below the
expenditures that the necessity for
remedial legislation seemed to present
itself. Mr.. Johnson admitted that some
change was desirable, but this was not
a time to make experiments in legisla
ton. The conditions were not alto
gether unbearable, and could better be
endured while Congress was consider
ing and formulating q wiser system
than that the country should be COM
PEELED to retrace thorny path with
bleeding feet owing to the enactment OF
hasty and ill.advised laws.
Mr.. Hall asked Mr.. Johnson if he
knew that the gold balance had been
depleted $25, 100000 since the last sale
of bonds.
80, yes" answered Mr.. Johnson, II
know that, and know that whereas in
the last fiscal year the deficit of the
government revenues was $40, 1000, 000,
while this year, according to the esti-
mates of the Secretary Of the Treasury,
the deficit will be but $4,000, 600.
Mr.. Johnson. proceeding to consider
the provisions of the Carlisle bill, said
that sufficient time should be given to
discuss the whole problem, and that a
bill of such Importance should not be
driven through in no more time than a
member of the House would expend in
swallowing a cup of coffee. "The bill
itself,n Mr.. Johnson said, "from pre-
amble to its concluding section was
vicious, and if enacted into law would
result in confusion worse confounded."
at comes to the House," said the
speaker, with the brand of Cain upon
its brow, placed there by the majority
Of the committee, when it submitted
the bill to the House for consideration"