Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-27
F1FTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81.
SENATE.

Mr. burrOWS presented duu ado 10
ferred to the finance committee pro-
position to take certain articles from
the free list and to have rates of duty
imposed upon them, in harmony with
the bill just passed by the House. He
had originally proposed it as bill; but
on being reminded by Mr.. Sherman
that the Senate had no right to originate
revenue measure, he put it IN the
form of an amendment to the House
bill. The House bill of yesterday ito
temporarily increase the revenue to
meet the expenses of the government
and provide against deficiency was
received from the House, read first
and second time and referred to the f.
nance committee.
Mr.. Hale introduced joint resolu-
ton authorizing and directing the Sec
rotary of the Navy to accept the ram
Katahdin and make her part of the
United States navy. He asked pres
ent consideration of the joint resolution
and stated the facts in the case-how
the ram fell little below the contract
requirement of speed; and said that
both the President and Secretary of the
Navy were in favor of her acceptance
and wished to authorize it.
Mr.. Pettigrew opposed the joint reso-
luton as establishing o bad precedent;
but, after hearing MI. Hale's explana-
ton, he withdrew his opposition.
Mr.. Hill introduced joint resolution
directing that any bonds hereafter is
sued under the laws now in force may,
in the discretion of the Secretary of the
Treasury, be made payable in United
States gold coin of the present weight
and fineness, or in standard silver dol.
lars, at the the option of the holders OF
such bonds; but no bond containing
such option shall bear rate of inter-
est exceeding three per cent. per an
nua, payable quarterly.
Mr.. Hill addressed the Senate in
support of the joint resolution.
In his speech Mr.. Hill said: 1.-THE
option is here presented to save the
people millions of dollars in the shape
of interest; and why not avail ourselves
of it? 1t those who have money TO
loan are willing to charge US lesser
rate of interest if the bonds to be issued
are made payable in gold, it is difficult
to see what reasonable objection can be
urged to making them so payable at
the option of the holder. Why" he
asked, should any prejudice against
gold be permitted to interfere in such
y transaction? Why should any ques-
ton about independent or information
al free coinage be allowed to prevent
1.-THE consummation of favorable bali
gain to the government and the
people. The measure I have sug-
| gested,n Mr.. Hill continued, lis a
measure simply for temporary relief
AS measure of permanent relief, it is
reasonably clear that all United States
notes and Treasury notes should be re-
deemed and then cancelled"
! At the close of Mr.. Hills speech, he
moved the reference OF the joint resolu-
ton to the finance committee, but al
the request of Mr.. Allen he withdrew
/ that motion and agreed to have the
Joint resolution lie on the table.
His speech was replied to by Mr.. Tel
Ter, who spoke of the last bond contract
with syndicate as lasting disgrace,
showing either the dishonesty or imbe-
cility of the administration. Mr.. Teller
said, at the proper time he would ex-
press his opinion on the executive de-
partment "from the President down to
1 the tide-water waiter, who now assumes
to speak on the financial matter" This
last remark delivered wi b great asperi-
ty produced ripple of laughter on the
republican side of the chamber.
Mr.. Hill replied to Mr.. Teller and
having, in the course of the discussion,
challenged Mr.. Teller's remark as to a
tide-water waiter, Mr.. Teller protested,
in the most positive and assuring man.
ner, that he had had no reference in his
mind to the Senator from New York
when be used that phrase.
The Senate at 2:30 went into execu-
tive session and soon adjourned until
Monday next.
Another large crowd was present in
the House to-day to hear the consider
alton of the bond bill proposed by the
committee on ways and means and re
ported to the House by Mr.. Dingley as
soon as the journal had been read and
various corrections made of the record
of the vote yesterday on the revenue
bill.
Mr.. Daniels made a unanimous re-
port from the committee on elections
| No. 1 declaring Mr.. Belknsp, rep, en-.
titled to the seat for which Mr.. McCann,
dem holds the certificate from the
third district of Illinois.
Mr.. Daniels stated that Mr.. Mccain
had appeared before the committee and
conceded Mr.. Belknap's election, and
the committee cordially approved the
action of Mr.. McCann for its fairness
and justice.
The resolution was agreed to and
Mr.. Belknap appeared and took the
oath of Office.
Mr.. Henderson presented q resolu-
ton from the committee on rules pro-
viding for the discussion of the bond
bill until five o'clock this afternoon
and at an evening session from 1880 to
10 o'clock, and at 8 o'clock tomorrow a
vote on its passage shall be taken.
Mr.. Crisp, speaking to the resolu-
tion, said he desired again to call atten-
tion 10 the propriety of the course of
the majority in this regard and to ap,
peal to them for their own sakes to
proceed with greater caution and de-
liberation. The experince with the
two bills already reported to the
House, he said, should induce
them to make haste slowly. The
bond bill, as originally proposed, had
- oso