New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04


erals. >: vacancy, ]. Total, H.
House-James G. Blaine. OF Maine SRgp;D'
Speaker; Republicans. 100; Democrats, 90 LID
erals. 1: vacancies. ,. Total, W..
The Presidents Message asked for the distrl-
button OF the Geneva award OF $15.5OO'OOO. He
called attention to the triumph OF the American
doctrine of expatriaton. in opposition to the Eu-
ropcan claim of perpetual allegiance Of Euro
mean citizens and suggested more definite legis-
lation Economy in expenditures on public
buildings was recommended. The President re-
ported that the public revenues had fallen of III
consequence Of the panic Of 1918 He called at
tention to the currency. expressed doubt whether
there was sufficicn; for the needs OF Industry.
and suggested. for discussion. the question
whether National banks should not he allowed to
issue any amount OF their own notes up TO ~ per
cent of their present issue upon depositng Gov
eminent bonds in the Treasury, the banks 70
have the power to diminish their increased issue
and receive back their bonds whenever the con-
diton of the country would warrant that step
The currency, he said had been contracted by
the withdrawal OF sG3,OO0,O0O Of 3 per cent GER
tifcates. compound interest notes. and 100
bonds, which had formerly taken the place OF
legal tender in bank reserves. The President
urged the restoration Of American navigation, IN
order to save some part Of the SSOOOO,OOO OF
freight money then paid annually by this coun-
try to foreign vessels. The decrease of the pub
lie debt during the year had been about Slo,-
100000
BENEFICENT LEGISLATION.
Ono n, the first acts OF this session Of Congress
was a prompt repeal OF the Salary Grab OF
March 3 1873 The increase of salary given 70
tho President and the Supreme Court was al
lowed to stand but all the rest OF the Dill OF
March g. 1873 was repealed all OF the lhcreaseu
back pay which had not been drawn by Seha
tors Representatives and employees OF Congress
beine ordered covered into the treasury. lhc'e
were only votes against repeal IN the SENATE
and d votes against in the House The bill be-
came a law January 20, 1911.
Congress- provided at this session for Court
of Five Commissioners OF Alabama CiaiHs 10
award to claimants the Slo',oo'o" pao %!
Great Britain for the depredations Oh -ccr'a'"
Confederate cruisers upon American shiPpi"s
A struggle took place in both houses over an
effort to give unfair advantage TO marine ihsu'-
ance companies. which had made enormous
profits during the war, and which wanted never
theless. the lions share Of the Geneva award.
The movement was defeated by Republican votes.
The bill was passed by the Senate May IL, 1874,
nv 2G yeas ca Republicans, Democrats) to Ii
NAYS 0 Republicans, 10 Democrats. l LiberaD;
by the House June TO- 1874, by 132 yeas u25
Republicans 8 Democrats. l LiberaD to lO1 nays
40 Republicans IS Democrats, Liberals)
An effort was made for the repeal Of the Bank
rupt law 1t failed. But the law was amended
H. order to make it more just to creditors IL
passed the House. 219 to #; the Senate, ~ to H.
The Tree Planting act was amended at this
session by making the term required FOR obtain
ing title to the land eight years instead of ten
years, and permitting smaller quantities Of land
to be planted, giving eighty acres OF land for
twenty acres Of trees, and forty acres for ten Of
trees
An act was passed TO promote the establish
ment Of marine schools; approved June 20. 1874.
This law authorized the Secretary of the Navy
to place war vessels. fully equipped with appa-
ratus for navigation at the service Of the Govern
ors Of the States at the ports Of New York.
Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore Norfolk and
San Francisco marine schools. The Presi-
dent was authorized to detail proper officers Of
the Navy for instructors in such schools
FINANCIAL MEASURES.
The great topic OF debate at this session was
an outgrowth OF the scarcity Of ready money
throughout the United States during the panic
Of 1873 The debates extended through six
months, exhausting Congress and the patience
Of the country. Two bills passed. one
Of which President Grant vetoed. the Senate
refusing to pass the bill the veto: the other
Of which he signed.
The first measure was reported March "a. 1874.
from the Senate Finance Committee. by Sena-
tor Sherman. Of Ohio. 1t was compromise
measure and represented the views upon which
the Republicans and Democrats OF that commit
tee were nearly agreed. The condition OF the
currency at that lime follows: I. United
States notes tgreenbacks) limited by the law Of
June 80, 1864, to 500, 900 Of which $4,000