Article Text

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21. Mr. Conkling presented a large number of petitions from the citizens of Ulster, Livingston, Orange and other counties of New York, in favor of the remonetization of silver. Laid on the table, the bill having been reported to the senate. Mr. Beck submitted a concurrent resolution declaring that it is unnecessary and inexpedient to impose taxes at this time asked for by the secretary of the treasury, to provide $37,000,000 for a sinking fund, and directing the secretary not to purchase any more bonds for the liquidation of the public debt until directed to do SO by congress. Laid over for the present, and ordered that it be printed. Bills were introduced and referred to the appropriate committees as follows: By Mr. McDonald: To establish a mint for the coinage of gold and silver at Indianapolis, Indiana, and appropriating certain grounds for the same; also money for the purchase of the necessary machinery. By Mr. Cameron: Authorizing the coinage of the standard silver dollar, and providing that gold and silver jointly, and not otherwise, shall be a legal tender. By Mr. Eustis: To authorize the establish. ment of mail steamship service between the United States and the empire of Brazit. By Mr. Conkling: For the relief of William A. Hammond, late surgeon general United States army. By Mr. Chaffee: A declaration of the meaning and intent of the 15th section of the Pacific ráilroad act of July 1, 1862, etc. The vice president laid before the senate a communication from the secretary of war in regard to the publication of the history of the late war, and suggesting thata committee be appointed to examine the work already done, and arrange for a form of publication, etc. Referred. Also a communication from the secretary of war, transmitting in answer to a senate resolution of the 10th inst, a report of Major Suter's corps of engineers upon the survey of the Missouri river at Omaha. Referred. Mr. Ferry presented a resolution of the Michigan state grange, remonstrating against the passage of any bill reducing the duties on foreign wools, and in favor of the passage of a law for. the protection of purchasers of patented articles. Referred. Mr. Cameron of Wisconsin presented a resolution of the Wisconsin legislature asking an appropriation to complete the Sturgeon Referred. Bay and Lake Michigan ship canal. Mr. Beck presented a petition of the citizens of Kentucky for a reduction of the tax on tobacco. Referred. Bills were introduced and referred as follows: By Mr. Dawes: Directing the secretary of the treasury to purchase the Freedmen's bank building and adjacent property owned by the Freedmen's Savings and Trust com pany in Washington, the price not to exceed $275,000, and the money to be placed in the United States treasury to the credit of the commissioners of said insolvent company for distribution among its creditors. Bv Mr. Plumb: To provide for the improvement of the Osage river in Missouri Kansas pus Mr. Howe submitted a resolution of the Milwaukee chamber of commerce in favor of a fair and equitable distribution of the balance of the Genevaaward fund. Referred. Mr. Burnside submitted a resolution directing the committee on judiciary to examine the laws relating to final reviews of courts martial, and report to the senate upon what official rested the duty to review the proceedings in the case of Colonel Runkle, United States army. A lengthy debate ensued between Messrs. Burnside, Conkling and others, and Mr. Burnside finally withdrew the resolution; also the motion made by him a few days ago to reconsider the vote by which the judicary committee on motion of Mr. Conkling last week was instructed to inquire into this subject. In withdrawing his motion Mr. Burnside gave notice that he would to-morrow submit the resolution 80 as to have the judiciary committee inquire into the legal questions of the case and the military committee into its military character. Mr. Anthony moved that the case of Surgeon Draper also be sent to the judiciary committee. Mr. Edmunds suggested that Senator Thurman, who was absent, had favored its reference to the naval committee, and asked that it be left there until he was present, which agreed to. The vice president laid before the senate a communication from the Italian minister notifying the senate that commemorative service of the late King Victor Emanuel will be held at St. Aloysius church to-morrow, and seats will be reserved for senators who may honor the occasion with their presence. At the expiration of the morning hour the senate resumed consideration of the resolution of Mr. Mathews declaring the right of the government to pay bonds in silver, and Mr. Jones of Florida spoke in favor thereof. Mr. Jones spoke at some length as to the power granted congress by the constitution to coin money. regulate its value, etc.. and argued that at the time of the passage of the acts of 1869 to strengthen the public credit, and of 1870, to authorize the funding of the national debt, the silver dollar was a legal tender coin of the country, and congress had no power to exclude it from the coinage of the country. If any coin should have been abolished on account of being unstable in value, it should have been gold. He spoke of the advantages of silver money, and said there was a large channel in the business of the country which silver M alone could fill. It was emphatically the money of the people. In conclusion he advocated the adoption of the resolution of (1) Mr. Matthews because he thought it was for e the true interest of the country. Mr. Cockrell said he proposed to review to the law and facts embodied in theresolution a of the senator from Ohio, and argued that (1) the bonds were payable in both gold and a silver. He had prepared to submit to the