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

DISCOURAGED DEMOCRATS.
The XLvIth Congress held it's third session.
beginning December g. 1880, ending March B.
1881 The roll:
Senate-Republicans SO; Democrats, 43. To-
ta!. %.
House-Samuel J. Randall. Of Pennsylvania
DEM. Speaker: Republicans. IDS: Democrats,
$50; Republican Nationals, D; Democratic Ma
tonals. g. Nationals 3; Vacancy. !. Total 2!'3
The closing session Of the XLVIth Congress
was a quiet one. Stunned by the popular ver-
dict in the recent elections, the Confederate
irigadiers and their allies lacked the heart to
attempt any disturbing legislation. and trans-
acted little besides purely routine measures for
the support Of the Government
The Message Of President Hayes paid re-
newed attention to the denial Of the right OF
free suffrage in the South. While there had
been little open violence in the recent elections,
the South had nevertheless refused to acquiesce
in the equal-rights amendments to the Consti-
tuition. and had deprived the freedmen of their
r.ghtfu vote by fraud at the baot-boxes and
in the returns Of the count The President
called attention to the utterly inadequate pro-
vision made in Southern States for popular edu-
cation. He again asked for legislation in be-
half of Civil Service Reform and opposed the
system Of partisan appointments on the recon-
nendation of Representatives and Senator'S in
Congress. Suppression Of poygamy n the Ter
ritories was once more recommended The Mes
sage discussed the question Of silver coinage at
some length. Reference made to the accu-
mutation in the Treasury of the bulk of the sill
YER dollars then being coined. The President ia
vored the use Of that metal as money but asked
that there might be change in the weight OF
the standard silver dollar. He declared that a
dollar of equal value with the gold dollar would
defraud no man and would be free from evil
consequences.
DEMOCRATS AGAINST EDUCATION.
An important bill introduced by Senator
Burnside Rep.. r. IL. to devote the sales OF
public lands and the net receipts OF the Patent
Office to a fund for the support of the agricul-
tural colleges and general education in he States
and Territories. was one of the few measures
which created debate at this session. Senator
Morrill, Rep.. VT made a great speech in adj
vocacy OF this bill. during which he pointed to
the admirable results which had followed the
enactment of the original Agricultural College
law OF 1861 in providing education for the there
tofore unprovded-for industrial classes. There
was a long debate. and the Senate passed the
bill December IL. 1880. by Al yeas CD Republi-
cans - Democrats. independently to nays
members peremptorily objected to the consider
alton of the bill. and the Republicans were UNI
able to have 1t brought up for vote. In 1891,
as in all the previous history Of Congress, the
ruling element in the Democratic party was OPP
posed to popular education.
The bill Of Mr. Hostetler dem, Ind TO forbid
emploves Of the Government and public con-
tractors to exercise their right as citizens to
contribute to political campaign funds was at
this session unceramoniousv shovelled out OF
the way 1t had been holly debated at the first
and second sessions. Without any debate what.
ever at this session. the House refused TO take
1t up for discussion. The vote was I'll yeas TALL
Republicans) TO 1G4 nays NEARLY all Democrats
One bill was passed which the President We
toed This was measure introduced by Fer
nando Wood Dem. n. y. providing for x4OO,-
OOOOU OF 80 bonds drawing 8 per cent in
terest. and for x:lOOO.OO 3 per cent Treasury
notes to be used in refunding the D and per
cent National debt, and forbiddng National
banks after July l. 1881. to deposit any other
than these 3 per cents as security for their cir
culation The bill after full consideration was
passed by the House January 10, 1881, by I'D
veas TO l25 nays and by the Senate February
Is by - yeas 20 ~ nays-nearly party vote IN
both cases, Republicans In the negative
President Hayes vetoed the bill simply on &C.
count of the National bank feature He said
that the taxation on banks was then more man
twice as much as on any other legitimate pusi
ness Banks then at liberty TO deposir .
and d per cent bonds To secure their circulation.
To restrict them to the per cents would cause
them 10 withdraw much u their crcuiaion'
which at a time when business was fairly pros.
rerous again after a long period Of depression,
would be disastrous. No more banks would Do
formed and no existing banks would enlarge
their capital
The democrats OF the House tried TO pass tho
bill over the veto. but failed. The vote was LIB
IN ll6 a party vote Republicans in the negative,