The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-04
CONGRESS AGAIN In SESSION.
In the House Mr. Black, Of Georgia,
Advocates The Currency Bill.
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL IN SENATE,
Mr. Morgan Begins n Reply to Mr.. Tur-
pies Objeotions--Aiien's Senate hss-
taurant Inquiry Bill.


were in their seats to-day when the last
session of the Fifty-third Congress was
resumed. after the holiday recess. Chap
lain Bagby, in his opening prayer, asked
mat thero might be unity Of opinion
among the representatives in the coming
months, in order that legislation might be
effected for the benefit of the whole peo
pie. After the cali OF the committees
the House went into committee OF the
whole.
Mr.. Black reviewed some OF the various
criticisms made against the currency bill,
declaring that the measure had been the
subject Of long and earnest consldera-
tion, and was not In any sense the crea-
tion OF immature thought. Regarding the
point that 1t proposed TO retire the green
RACKS against the wishes OF the country,
Mr.. Black said that the people had had
an opportunity on two or three occasions
10 express themselves. In 1880 Gem
eral Weaver was candidate for President
on a grecnbaok platform. and ne receiv-
ed about 10000 votes against sSo0,0oO for
Garfield and Hancock.
In 1884 General Butler. OF Massachusetts,
was the candidate Of the party, and he
received of the popular vote 1900,
against 10000 for Cleveland and Blaine.
IN lSSS Mr.. Streator received 1900 votes,
against l0.9O.O)O for Cleveland and Harri-
son. We an know the result Of the cleo
tion OF 1882.
The LEGAL TKNDER THEORY.
The attitude of the Democratic party
towards the legal tender theory engaged
Mr. Blacks attention for Il time He
said ne found no support in any Demo
cratic platform nor i'm the writings or
speeches of Democratic leaders OF the
past for the theory now insisted upon,
that this Government shall enter upon the
issue OF Treasury notes, 10 be made ie-
gal lenders. As TO the decision by the
supreme Court. he said it shocked the
public conscience and was not IN harmony
with Democratic doctrine.
Nj. Black quoted the dissenting Opin-
ion of Justice Fiold i'm that case, and an
extract from a speech delivered by Web
ster in the Senate in 1886. as expressing
his views. Mr.. Webster then said.
Most unqpestionably there is no le-
gal tender. ana there can be no legal
tender I'm this country. under the authori-
ty Of this Government or any other but
gold and silver. either the coinage Of our
own mints or foreign coins at rates regu-
lated by Congress"
The time had come. ne said. when the
very fabric Of our institutions was 10 be
maintained i'm its integrity. We should
return TO the safe requirements and limi-
deprecated the passage of legislation IN
The effort TO relieve business depression
or any financial interests Nothing ought
10 be done he said, which would lead
the people to think that every time they
wanted anything done to relieve or I'M
prove their condition they could come
10 Congress with confidence that what
they asked would be granted. The Dill
,lndcr discussion, Mr.. Black said, in an
swer TO a question by Mr.. Walker Ofep.,
NIassD. might not do all that was eN-
uected of IL, but he was willing TO vote
for IL as an experiment. All leglslauoh
on This line. he said, was experimental IN
character.
GENERAL JAcKsoN's POSITION.
Mr.. Black referred 10 the opposition
which Il was stated General jackson had
manifested TO banks OF issue. w hie he
was opDoscd to such banks, he showed
that he had great reliance In the state
hanks. and when ne withdrew the Gov
eminent deposits from the United states
Rank ne placed them in the state banks.
Justice fancy had said with reference 10
tbis removal that he had no doubt That
the State banks could furnish better
circulating medium, quite as UNIFORM III
value as that which had been furnished
by the United states bdIl@a' anu PiOD"-
bly, more So.
lie declined TO enter into a discussion
of the merits Of the State bank system,
but announced his opposition TO the tax
which had been laid upon the circulation
of state banks. He questioned the right
of the House 10 continue the tax ana
urged that the people be permitted 10
settle this matter for themselves. lie
came from a State that had never repudla-
tcd its obligations and if any OF its paper
was SIN outstanding and should be OIL
fered for redemption, ii would be prompt
dor
Otber speakers were Mcssrs. McCreary
and Reckuer i'm advocacy of the bill ana
Mcssrs. Haugen Rep.. Wis), and Adams
IRON. Pa. I'm opposition. An animated
,olIoouy occurred between Mr.. ADAMS
and Mr. Warner dem. y. - respecting
INC operation Of the Mckinley law upon
the wages of Pennsylvania Coai e''
moor closed. The House ad)ouihe" a'
40 until tomorrow.
The Soma Proceedings.
WASHINGTON. -. c., Jan. 3.-Forty
.,n,tors were IN their seats when the
senate was called to order at noon the
N1ce- President in the chair. Mr.. sherman
repolted the resolution requesting 'he
president to transmit TO the Senate an
napcrs relating 20 the delivery by the
United States Consul at shanghai OF TWO
Japanese citizens 10 the Chinese anthorl-
lies and TO inform the Senate whether
.thos, two Japanese were put TO death
after being tortured. The resolution was
agreed 10. -s.,,
Among the bills introduced and referred
was ono bv Mr.. George tby request)-"To
prevent the boarding 81 coin IN the Treas
urv. subtreasuries, or any other ma
,ional depositories and to amend the
laws relating 10 national banks, and 10
supply a safe and permanent natlonai
currency.
During the morning hour there was a
somew nat amusing discussion OF the reso-
luton offered by Mr., Allen Pop., Neb)
before the holidays, proposing an invest-
CATION into the affairs Of the Senate res
taurant. Mr.. Allen asserting that. in
addition 10 rooms. furniture, carpets, ta-
b;es chairs, ranges and stoves, supplied
sratuitously TO the restaurant keeper, ne
was also furnished with fuel, light and
ice 10 the amount Of from $500 to
$1,000 a year. and this outlay from the
contingent fund OF the Senate was de-
nounced as larceny. At the expiration OF
The morning hour the resolution was
placed on the calendar. and will hardly
be heard from any more. as IL cannot be
taken up. except on motion and by a
majority vote.
The Nicaraguan canal bill WIS then taken
up. and MIR. Morgan. chairman OF the
Committee on Foreign Relations, occu-
pied the attention OF the Senate from
. O'Clock until 3, In replying 10 Mr.. Tur-