The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-16
had been able to attend to his duties on

had been able to attend to his duties on
the floor.
Mt. De Almond called Up the unanimous
report of Elections Committee No. upon
the contested election case OF J. Hampton
Hoge tRep) vs. Peter J. Otey lScmh
from the Sixth Virginia district. confirm
ing the title OF Otey TO the seat which
he occupies. and It was agreed TO.
The Hous> then proceeded 20 read ana
pass the private pension bills favorably
acted upon BY the Committee Of the
Whole the past week. there being about
100 In all on the calendar.
When the bill was reached TO pension
the widow Of the late Secretary Gresham
at the rate OF 800 a month Mr.. Talbert
Oem). OF South Carolina. made the point
that no quorum had voted on iis passage.
and the Speaker was compelled 10 count
quorum. The vote by which the bill
passed was 100 10 10
Mr.. Talbert also ondeavored to secure
a rccommittal Of the bill granting a pen
sion OF SO a month to the widow OF the
late General Thomas Ewing. Jr.,with in
structions 10 reduce the amount 10 $50
a month. but the motion failed-55 TO 100.
At . O'Clock the House. under the rules,
took a recess until : o'clock, having pass
ed l0l bills. Thirty-four bills were laid
aside 70 await formal engrossmont before
final action.
In the Senate.
In pursuance Of previous notice hlr.
Bacon O)em.). Of Georgia, addressed the
So nate I'm favor of the bill 10 prohibit the
issuance Of bonds or other interest-bear-
ing obligations Of the Government by the
Secretary of the Treasury, or other officer
OF the Government, without the authority
Of Congress. lie argued that Congress.
either by action or non-actiOn, would be
responsible II more bonds were issued
Under the law by which S2o2. 900 of
bonds had been sold in the last three
years II the session closed with the
law unrepealed. Congress would be say
ing to the people hat il approved Of the
law; also that IT approved Of what the
Secretary of the Treasury had done under
it in the past, and would approve OF wnat
he might do in the future. He argued
that a delegation of the powers OF Con
gress over the finances Of the country
was a violation Of the letter and OF the
spirit Of the Constitution. Under the
existing law that autocratic power over the
finances was exercised not only I'm tho
absence OF popular consent. but I'm Op-
position 10 the wishes of the people and
Of their chosen representatives. From
the foundation of the Government every
issue Of bonds had been made under
authority given by Congress. And the
act Of 1879. under which S2G2 oo0OO0 Of
bonds was issued was no exception 60
that rule. because il was only intended
to exchange one form of indebtedness
for another form; that was, 10 issue bonds
in order 10 cancel greenbacks. II was
never intended to clOthe the Secretary
Of the Treasury with unlimited power 20
issue bonds ut his discretion.
BUTLER COMMENDS.
Mr.. Butler Populisu. Of North Caro-
line commended Mr.. BacOns speech, and
called attention 10 a bill which he lMr.
Butler) had introduced early in the ses-
sion. prohibiting the issue of bonds with
out the consent of Congress. He gave
notice that ne would on some future
day ask the Senate TO take mp that bill
Tor consideration.
Mr. Hill objected to having the time
farmed out in advance.