Year: 1862




Acknowledgements Raymond's Finan-


cial Policy Repudiated-The Financial


Plan OF the Committee Endorsed-Trea-


sury Notes and Taxation Pledged for
+ the eInterest-Debate i'm the Senate Over


the Loyalty OF Senator Bright-The Ad-


vocates for Expulsion OF Bright Fnrced


from Their rPosition-1Iutual Ins IRA nee


Companies, &c, &C., Sc.


ALBANY Jan. 81, 1862


The debate last evening upon the question Of taxation
was somewhat spicy and interesting. 1t made mani
fest that Raymonds resolutions were used up fact
Mr. Raymond himself before the close of tho session
and asked for the privilege of modifying his resolutions
going almost to those reported from the Committee
of Ways and Means The singular speech made on
that occasion that of Rev. Mr. Pruyn, of Wayne In
his argument TO prove that paper money was just
as good as gold, if Congress passed law declaring
that should be worth just much he endsavored to
prove his position by illustration in which he brought
In the point that piece OF iron If 1t only had the stamp
OF the upon it, and Congress declared that it
should be legal tender, would be just good as
gold The reverend gentleman evidently is better posted
on the subject Of the oes and vanes Of the world than
he is on the laws and the nexorabc logic Of
He no doubt is well abic to deliver sermons upon the
folly Of placing trust in riches of this world and can
prove that gold better than iron in assisting per-
son in saving his soul but 1t plainly to be that he
does not understand the demands Of on the
fundamental basis necessary for reliable currency.


He roughly handled by Mcssrs. Stetson and
Pierce The latter person dealt severe
hits upon the head of Raymond. None of the
speakers opposed the issue of all tho Treasury
to DO used currency but the difference in the position
Of those who engaged in tho debate tho simple
point shall the notes be issued with direct being
pledged pay the interest the notes issued levied
and left for future session of Congress to say whether it
shall be devoted to the interest for other
One side in favor of throwing around the subject
such safeguard that under consideration could the
money raised by tax be misappropratcd and applied to
any other than that intended by the taxpayer while
the other side for leaving tho door open; and this
the difference between the position of the orators.
Speaker Raymond planted himself on the start on the
latter side but tho argument got to be so strong against
him that before the session closed last evening he asked
the privilege of modifying his resolutions, coming nearly
over to the resolutions reported by tho Committee Of
Ways and Means thus admitting that he beaten and
compelled to give way 10 the strong arguments against
him.


The question up again this morning. The Assembly
having decided to take vote before it adjourned every
person who desired to speak on the question had to get
himself in readiness for the final struggle. Messre.
Leverindge. Dewey Wheeler, E. Cornell Raymond, Avo
and others participated in tho debate and presented
sented unless it the statement Of Speaker Raymond
that the HERALD had always done great service in assa
ing him on all occasions but still he would read from
editorial in that paper financial questions to sustain
his position, and give it for what it worth


After some delay vote was reached, and tho resolu
ton favored by Mr.. Raymond only received thirty nine
votes to sixty two against AS matter Of he had
to give beaten everybody knew that he would
ever since his famous spesch on Tuesday evening last.
He offered several other amendments did number of
persons that side but every amendment TO the orig
nal resolutions not agreed to by tho Ways and Means Com
mittee was voted down, leaving Mr. Raymond in mno-
rty Of less than forty members on every vote. On
coming out Of the Committee Of the Whole the
ton was renewed by Mr. Raymond and tho yeas and nays
called resulting in forty three votes for the substi
tute and sixty nine against.


There has been bitter contest this question: main
tanned with great deal Of ability on both sides and
sultng n the complete vindicaton of the policy Of the
committee and the reputation Of tho plans of Mr. RAY
mOnd.


The entire morning Of the Senate was taken up
in debating the resolution for the expulsion of Senator
Bright The discussion upon this question is the first
that has drawn out the talent OF that body No other
subject has before hcm in which the Senators have
generally participated. The ability exhibited fully
tans former statements that this of the abest
Senates that have had for the last years Senator
Willard made able argument against the resolution
showing he injustice Of the Legislature interfering in
judicial question like this and asking without hearing
all the evidence bearing upon the point, Senator to
against the conviction Of his Judgment formed
by q careful examination. of the whole question He
pursued this line OF argument at much length, and pro.
sened facts that have not as yet been answered the
other side.


resolution. Senator Bright might be traitor II So they
had the power to deal with him without edict from
this Legislature. was judicial question, ana he
content to leave it in the hands Of those whose duty
to investigate the matter and upon whose shoulders
rested tho responsibility.


Senator Hardin also made able speech against the
resolution He said the only argument made the
other side that the people demanded the of
Mr.. Bright. This, to him, argument. If that
policy carried out 1t would lead government by
mob and remove all Safeguards around government.
He came here with perfect confidence in the ability of
Senator Harris believing him bettor able to understand
the question than himself and he unwilling to
instruct Senator Harris who has examined the evidence
on the committee, TO vote against his convictions.
His speech strong one, and contained many
rebukes 10 those who had appealed to the loyalty and
feelings of the Senator on the question.


Senator Bradley next followed In short and pertinent
speech in which he handled Of the Senator's tho
opposite side rather roughly.


Senator Low asked him II he believed that Senator
Bright was guilty Of treason


Senator Bradley-I do


Senator Low-Then are you not willing to vote for
resolution TO expel him from the United States Senator


Senator Bradey-I will answer that question. From
the general rurnor and reports in circulation, believe
that he Is guilty but have only pdye statements,
and will to instruct those who have thoroughly
examined the question to vote upon it, But il the S,na-
tor would introduce resolution calling upon the proper
authorities to try him for treason, and IL found
guilty punish him, if innocent give him
honorable acquttal he would vote for it chocrfully,
but he could not give this resolution his support.
Several Of the Senators questioned Senator Bradley
and ndendeavored to force him into corner but every
occasion his senced his opponents and left them
worse than when they attacked him.


AT this stage Of the proceedings Senator Truman offered


substitute setting forth in long preamble statement





calling for his expulsion. This amended to
read I" il this statement be true" This action
indication that those Senators who in favor of
pc and full instructions of expulsion had found that
they could not carry their point and compelled to
modify their resolution fail to get anything whatever


Senator Murphy again spoke upon the ques-
tion, and made an exceedingly strong speech,
reminding the Senators that Senator Bright had
deep interest in this matter, and in feeling
alluded to the disgrace that would attend him,
his wife and children, should he be expelled from the
Senate tho charge Of treason Suppose for instance,
that he is not guilty would any Senator admit that the
osgrace that would follow the act of expulsion extend
ing down 10 future generations would be Of justice
the .art Of senators hereY No; let him have fair
and honest trial. but let US have no sided affair
action guided wholly by passion, and the cry Of traitor
carrying Us beyond all reason. One Senator had
marked that II was about time that blood let. Ho
would remind that gentleman that blood letting the
order Of the day in the French revolution in which the
blood Of the guilty and innocent mingled together. Let
us not give way to the appeals and passions
that would lead 10 the same result here.
II was further argued by senator's Low and Sandford
in favor, and Pruyn in opposition The last Senator
caused great deal OF squrmng the part Of those who
argued in favor of the resolutions yesterday They
evidently in n tight place. Tho hour Of adjournment
NJ tbo al fhout