The morning call., 1895-02-14
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DAY
BUT THE HOUSE FOUND TINE TO
ACT ON BONDS.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-The House de-
voted the day to business relating to the
District of Columbia and with but one ex-
ception was featureless. During the de-
bate Van Voorhis of New York secured
the floor and introduced a resolution call
ing upon the Committee on Ways and
Means to furnish to the House the con-
tract of the recent bond negotiation and
such other information as the Secretary OF
the Treasury had communicated to the
committee.
Wilson Immediately informed the House
the majority report upon the joint resolu-
ton providing for 8 per cent gold bonds
which had been favorably acted upon by
the committee would contain copy of the
much-desired contract.
The minority of the committee was
granted leave to file report against the
Joint resolution and have it printed for use
of the members tomorrow, it being the
understanding that Wilson would close up
the resolution at that time.
Heard of Missouri, chairman of the Dis
trict of Columbia Committee, then claimed
the remainder of the day, and the House
entered upon the consideration OF district
business. During the debate upon the dis
trict bill, Van Voorhis (R.) of New York
obtained the floor, and read a resolution
calling on the Secretary of the Treasury
for information concerning the bond con-
tract, which, he said, he would push as
soon as he could be recognized to do So
Thereupon, Wilson (D.) OF West Virginia
said: 81 have copy of the contract and
will include it in my report"
The resolution was as follows:
WHEREAS, On Friday last the President en-
tered into private contract in writing with
certain persons to borrow $63, 900 900 of gold
upon per cent thirty-year bonds of the United
States at rate equivalent to Az per cent pre-
MUM; and whereas, bonds exactly similar,
issued eighteen years and having only twelve
years to run, were selling on the New York mar
kets on that day at premium of IA per cent,
and at that rate these thirty-year bonds
are worth 1191a; and whereas, cablegram
from London shows that English capitalists
are ready to pay premium of II per cent on
the bonds; and whereas, the Ways and Means
Committee of this House not comprehending
the reason which actuated the Executive in
selling SO many millions of bonds at premium
of Az per cent when premium of IL per cent
could be and much more ought to be obtained
on yesterday had the Secretary of the Treasury
before it and examined him in relation thereto
and obtained a copy OF said written contract
and all information which the Secretary of the
Treasury could, give on the subject; and
whereas, the Information thus obtained has
not been communicated to the House; and
whereas, at this stage OF this Congress it is a
matter of such momentous importance, it is
desirable, and the right of this House to know,
what information the Ways and Means Com
mittee has received in relation to this loan
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Ways and
Means of this House report Immediately all the
testimony, evidence and statements furnished
to it by the Secretary in relation to that loan,
including the contract made with any persons
concerning the same
Almost Immediately after Van Voorhis
resolution had been read, Wilson, chair
man of the Ways and Means Committee
presented the report on the resolution for
3 per cent bonds and with it the contract
read by Secretary Carlisle. The minority
were given leave to file minority report
at any time.
After passing several bills the House ad-
journed until tomorrow at II o'clock.