Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1877 — FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

Excerpts from the House Debates on the Living Resumption Repeal Bill. Mr. Chittenden, of New York (holding up a $lO legal-tender note), said he was very much mistaken if the bill before the House was not downright repudiation. The note in his hand was the promise of the Government to pay him $lO. but no date was fixed for payment. The note was issued in 1875, and, on the 14th day of that year, Congress had enacted a law declaring that this debt of the Government should be paid on the Ist of January, 1879. The Government must keep its promise faithfully, or it would become the leader of all the repudiators in the land, including every defaulting town, city, and State. The question of honor was the central and vital point in the discussion. He criticised the opening speech made by Mr. Phillips, saying the contraction of the currency under the Resumption act had no more to do with the present sufferings of the country than it had to do with the frozen feet of the Turks in Schipka pass. The limitation of paper currency should be left to adjust itself under a free banking system guided by the eager, intelligent, aggressive enterprise of the people. There was but one alternative, an exclusive greenback currency subject at all times to the caprice of Congress. The pending bill was hurtful, discreditable, and without excuse. The country was now shaken' by the wild blasts of a grand currency illusion which had swept over the plains of the South and prairies of the West, carrying the House by storm and threatening to ingulf national integrity. The greenback was the most powerful enemy the country had ever encountered, slavery alone excepted. It was a fraud, it was a, sham; it familiarized the individual and public conscience with shams. It had muddled all the springs of honest thrift and solid enterprise, had confused and misled public judgment, had sapped the courage and wisdom of the Federal treasury, and had given immense comfort to demagogues. Mr. Felton made a speech in favor of the repeal of the Resumption act. He bitterly denounced the capitalists of the East. Addressing himself to Mr. Chittenden, he said: “ And yet you undertake to comfort the country by telling it that all these things will right themselves. Yes, I know that these things will right themselves when they have touched the bottomless pit of despair and poverty. Look yonder at that storm-driven ocean ! Hurricane and darkness are upon the deep. Signal guns are firing every minute. Ships are going down by the hundred. Thousands of precious lives are being ingulfed, and, in the midst of all ruins there (pointing over to Chittenden) stands the wrecker waiting for the spoils, and assuring those in perd of destruction that all those tilings will right themselves.” Mr. Townsend, of New York, said resumption has come within a hair’s breadth. The national imports of last year had been less than the exports by $183,000,000. It was this that had carried down gold toward greenbacks by some 8 per cent. The crops of the year would next year bring $250,000,000 from Europe and that would do the rest of it. There was an abundance of crops in this country, such as it never had before. North and west of Ohio, north of Missouri, and north of Kansas there were millions of bushels of corn. The country had a crop of wheat such as it never had before, and a crop of cotton equal to the best. Europe must have it, and must pay for it. The country must enjoy this prosperity in spite of mistaken politicians, of political harpies, and of self-styled friends of the people. Mr. Eames said, in his judgment, it was practicable to redeem at the time named, and it ought to be done, and he was therefore opposed to the bill before the House. It was of no consequence how or why the law was passed which fixed the Ist of January, 1879, as the date of resumption. Since that‘law had passed every contract which had been entered into throughout the country had been entered into with the view of resuming on the day fixed, and any change in that law would affect every business in the country. He entered his protest against the passage of the bill, as hasty, ill-advised, and fraught with great evil alike to the credit and honor of the country at home and abroad, and to labor, capital, trade, and commerce. Mr. Ballou declared his belief that the repeal of the Resumption act would be pernicious and detrimental to the business interests of the country. Mr. Hubbell declared himself in favor of the resumption of specie payments, because in his opinion the country had reached that period when its commerce and general business should be provided for. He explained and advoerted the amendment offered by himself to the pending bill. Mr. Kelley read from an article in the North American Review, over thesignatureof “ Hugh McCulloch,” which he said exhibited an ignorance discreditable to the country whose Secretary of the Treasury the author had been, and a mendacity which invoked all the opprobrious epithets that ever had been hurled from the reporters’ desk. He went on to say that Congress, in legislating for the resumption of specie payments, was legislating an impossibility. The laws made could not be controlled by the wisest Government. Greenbacks had been denominated as the curse of the country, and yet it was greenbacks,,the “rag baby,” that had saved the Union. When gold, deflowered, had left the country, then the “rag baby” had stepped forward, and had kept in the field the armies, and had supplied munitions, food and transportation. That which served so well in war was not deserving of the contempt which was being heaped upon it in peace. That which gave the nation credit to the amount of $2,700,000,000 was certainly enough to sustain the credit of ©2,000,000,000. He predicted, to. spite of the jeer and scoff, that if the act'm to he

tained the sufferings of tne last two years would be (when compared with the sufferings yet to come) as light as the chill that blights the tropical plants when compared with the Arctic cold that builds up the mountainous iceberg. At this point his hour expired, but unanimous consent was given to him to finish his speech. Resuming, he asked the House to wipe out that ruinous statute. It stood a menace to confidence, the steady destroyer of credit. It was a notice to every capitalist that the body of the money was to be contracted ; that the banks must hoard specie for resumption ; that prices must fall; and therefore the best use of money was to bury it either in their own cellars or in the vaults of the banks. In conclusion, he said : Repeal that act, restore confidence, allow the tramps and millions of workingmen and women who are now living in despair to go to work on your raw material and supply each other’s wants. No nation, no individual, was ever freed from debt by idleness and want of industry. Set the miners of Pennsylvania and other coal States at work in producing power. Let the coal they mine quicken your machinery. Let wages be earned by working people to enable them to pay their debts, and to consume dutiable and taxable commodities. We have gone at this thing bullheaded, and have thus effectually disabled ourselves, deprived ourselves of confidence, impoverished our people, diminished the revenues of the Government, and put ourselves in a position that in the midst of abundant crops our people are hungry. With our cotton (the largest crop that we ever produced), they are naked or in rags. Remember that you are to deal with five thousand millions of indebtedness. You are to provide a reservoir from which every old woman in Berks county can fill her stocking. You are to provide a fund from which every boarder may draw for boarding. You are to say to every European creditor : We take the risk of your markets, of your necessities for gold. We will go it higher. We have got $10,000,000 or $15,000,000 to do it with. Mr. Hartzell said the Resumption act had destroyed all the business transactions of the country, and had taken money from the pockets of the people and placed it in the possession of the Shylocks and moneylenders. He defended the action of the House in passing the Silver biil and declared that history would erect for the projectors of the bill demonetizing silver a monument immortal in its infamy. The financial policy of the last ten years had been to kill the people and sustain the national banks, so that Wall street might prosper. “Repudiation” was now the cry of the rich, but wholesale robbery was tne well-Buotained charge by the poor. The people demanded the repeal of the Resumption act and the remonetization of silver. In conclusion, he entered his protest against the whole financial policy of the Republican party. Mr. Hanna declared himself opposed to the Resumption law as it now stood. He was not in favor of wild and reckless inflation. That was the other extreme, equally unwise and disastrous as enforced resumpiion and contraction. He was in favor of keeping the legaltender cui rency intact until it should have the same purchasable value as gold. As a Republican he scorned the idea of repudiation. In behalf of an honest constituency, who would bring their all if necessary and lay on the counter of the treasury as a free offering, in order to sustain the honor and credit of the country, he hurled back the charge that the projectors of the present bill were taking a step toward repudiation by demanding the repeal of the Resumption law, and he branded it as unwarrantable and untrue. The opponents of the bill characterized the legal-tender noter as rag-money, and called upon the people to listen to the sweet music of jingling the single standard. Rag-money, indeed! When that charge came from the Bourbon Democrats who opposed the issue, and the Government who issued it, it was at least comisteucy, but he would not attempt to disown the offspring of the Republican party. It was with these rags that the Government had been enabled to build ships which carried the United States flag over every ocean. It was with these rags that the grandest army that ever battled in defense of law and right was equipped. It was by virtue of these rags that the flag of the Union floated to-day over the Capitol of the nation. These same rags every member gladly received from the Sergeant-at-Arms. The ’ people bad not asked for the demonetization of silver nor for the Resumption act. The practical effect of the Resumption act has been to foster distrust, to impair confidence, to lock up currency, to paralyze industries, to shrink values, to swell the dTickets of the State courts with suits for coLection, and to swell the dockets of the United States courts with petitions in bankruptcy. It bad wrought ruin enough, and therefore he was in favor of its repeal. He appealed to all sides and sections to aid in removing from the statute-book a threat by means of which labor and enterprise had suffered quite enough.

Regular Proceedings. Monday, Nov. 12.—-Senate.—Mr. Conkling made a personal explanation touching an alleged interview with him printed in the New York He> ala of the 9th. He stated that the report contained many statements which he never uttered, even in private conversation, and expressions of thought and language that never came from him.... Bills were introduced by Mr. Windom to establish a Department of Commerce, and by Mr. Matthews for the enforcement of judgments and decrees in States other than tho.-e where rendered or made... .Mr. Maxey submitted a resolution instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of constructing defensive works on the Rio Grande frontier... .Mr. Booth was. appointed Chairman of the Committee on Patents, in place of Mr. Wadleigb, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections.... Mr. Voorhees was sworn in as a member of the Senate from Indiana... The Senate, in executive session, confirmed the appointment of John M. Stevens, of Maine, as Minister io Norway and Sweden ; John Defrees, of Indiana, as Public Printer at Washington; Kenneth Rayner as Solicitor of the Treasury; and Robert H. Chittenden, United States Attorney for lowa. House. —The Clymer amendment to the Army bill, limiting the number to 20,000 men, but providing for stationing four full cavalry regiments on the Mexican border, was concurred in by the House on a call of the yeas and nays, by a vote of 133 to 127. The amendment providing that officers, when assigned to staff duty, shall receive no higher rank or pay than their lineal, rank or pay, was defeated. The bill was then passed without division.... A large number of bills were then introduced and referred, includi g a bill to amend the laws in relation to mailable matter of the third class ; the existing Linking laws ; designating the time for the meeting of Congress on the first Moiiday in January; to reduce the number of military cadets; for payment for all cotton seized after the 29th of May, 1875; also, to refund the tax on raw cotton collected from 1863 to 1868 ; to prohibit by constitutional amendment the payment of claims arising out of the late rebellion ; for the payment of import duties in legal-tender notes as soon as they are quoted at par with legal-tender coin of the United States.

Tuesday, Nov. 13. —Senate.—The following bills were introduced: By Mr. McDonald, in relation to distilling and rectifying spirits. By Mr. Garland, to authorize the election of a Delegate to Congress from the Indian Territory. By Mr. Cameron (Wis.), to aid the Winnebago Indians of Wisconsin to obtain subsistence by agricultural pursuits, and to promote their civilization.'... Mr. Chaffee called up the resolution submitted by him last week in regard to the management of the Pacific railroad, and spoke at length in regard to the subject.... The Army Appropriation bill was read by its title and referred. ..The Senate adopted a resolution, offered by Mr. Booth, of California, calling upon the President for information as to the cause of the Nez Peaces war, its cost, the number of Indians and soldiers engaged therein, the number of lives lost, and the disposition made of Chief Joseph and the Indians who surrendered with h : m. House. —The House further debated the Resumption act. Mr. Chittenden, of New York, made a pronounced hard-money speech. He denounced the proposed repeal of the Resumption act as practical repudiation. He attacked the Silver bill with equal bitterness.. .The House passed the Deficiency bill.. .The following bills were introduced: By Mr. Banks, to extend, facilitate and cheapen land and water transportation of freight and passengers, and to promote industry and labor without further appreciation of the public aebt; by Mr. Townshend (Ill.), a resolution instructing the Committee on Banking and Currency to inquire into the expediency of winding up national banks, withdrawing their circulation, and substituting in lieu thereof greenbacks and other similar currency. Wednesday, Nov. 14.—Senate.—The Army bill was reported to the Senate, with the limitation of 20,000 men, and the mandatory provision for four full regiments of cavalry on the Texas frontier stricken out. Instead of this, the Senate committee inserted a clause providing that cavalry regiments may be recruited to a hundred men in each company and a sufficient force of cavalry shall 'be employed in the defense of the Mexican and Indian frontiers of Texas.”....A communication was received from the President, covering a detailed statement of recent outrages on the Rio Grande and of the proceedings taken by this Government ill consequence. Referring to the proposed negotiation of a new treaty, the President expressed a doubt whether it would ba most expedient to commence negotiations- immediately or wait until cirommrtances Jrotafiea the recugnitwEi of tb'a (Jover|uubiir... i .Mr. ligmls, fitiu

the Committee on Indian Affairs, reported, with amendments, the Senate bill to enable the ’ndians to become citizens of the United States. Placed on the (alendar.... The Vice President was authorized to fill the vacancy on the Committee on Pensions occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Davis, and on the Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Saunders. He thereupon appointed Mr. Voorhees to fill both vacanrii s. House. —Mr. Townsend offered a resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the facts of the imprisonment of Robert Smalls (colored), a member of the House from South Carolina, and to report whether such imprisonment is or is not a violation of the constitutional privileges of the House.... The House devoted the day to discussing the Resumption Repeal bill. Thursday, Nov. 15.—Senate.—The Senate passed the Army Appropriation bill as it came from the House, with the exception of an amendment fixing the army at 25,060 instead of 20,000... .The Deficiency bill was also passed without amendment and without discussion. ..Mr. Dawes presented the remonstrance of the forty-five national banks of Boston against the passage of the bill for the remonetization of silver. The petitioners set forth that they are required by law to hold many millions of United States bonds, and are apprehensive that the passage of the bill will greatly depreciate their value and have a bad effect on the business of the countrv... .Mr. Eaton introduced a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution providing for a tribunal by States for the decision of all contested issues arising in the choice of electors for President and Vice President.

House. —The following bills were introduced and referred: By Mr. Haskell, providing for the payment of duties on imports in gold, silver and legaltender notes; by Mr. Schleicher, providing for cheap transportation between tide-water on the Atlantic and the Ohio and Mississippi valleys; by Mr. Sapp, for the construction of a railway from New York to Council Bluffs, 10wa... .Mr. Cobb, from the Committee on Mileage, reported back adversely the bill allowing members mileage for attendance on the extra session. Laid on the table.... The House indulged in another long debate on the finances. Friday, Nov. 16.—Senate. —Mr. Davis, of West Virginia, occupied almost the entire time of the Senate in delivering a speech on the subject of alleged discrepancies in the Treasury Department. .... Mr. Ingalls introduced a bill repea.ing the act authorizing the coinage of the 20-cent silver piece. .. .Mr. Cameron, of Wisconsin, introduced a bill fixing the salaries of Judges of the District Courts of the United States. House. —Mr. Swann reported a bill relative to the Paris Exposition. It accepts the invitation from France to take part in the Exposition, and appropriates $150,000. Mr. Cox, of New York, offered a substitute appropriating $50,000. Both were referred. . Mr. Singleton reported a deficiency bill. The total appropriations asked for foot up $1,560,623. The principal items are; Postoffice salaries, $681,681; Treasury Department, $125,000 ; library of Congress, $22,600... .The House had a lengthy debate, extending far into the evening, on the subject ot repealing the Resumption law. The speeches were delivered by Messrs. Garfield and Hewitt in opposition to the repeal. Saturday, Nov. 17.—Senate.—Not in session. House. —Mr. Atkins reported back the Army Appropriation bill with the Senate amendments, recommending concurrence in some of the amendments and non-concurrence in others. Mr. Atkins explained that the Senate amendments were mainly immaterial, the chief point of difference between the two houses being the clause limiting the army to 20,000 men and limiting it to 25,000 men. The House then proceeded to vote upon the amendment. The Senate amendment reducing the appropriation for the expenses of the Com-manding-General’s office from $3,000 to $2,500 was concurred in. The next amendment was one striking out the clause providing that four full cavalry regiments shall be kept up ou the Texas frontier, and inserting, instead of it, a proviso that cavalry regiments may be recruited to 1,000 men, aud that a sufficient force of cavalry shall be employed in the defense of the Texas irontier. The recommendation of the Committee on Appropriations was to non-concur, but Mr. Foster moved to concur. Agreed to—yeas, 140; nays, 120. .... b. S. Metcalfe was sworn in as Representative from the Third District of Missouri, taking the iron-clad oath.... Mr. Stephens introduced a bill for the financial relief of the country, and to facilitate the return to specie payment without injuriously affecting the commercial business and general industries of the people.