Mr. WENTWORTH.R. Chairman, Ide sire to state to the House, with entire frnnk ness, why I oppose any limitation upon the power of the SecyTreasury. My reason is that I believe that the SecyTreasury has to yet fight the greatest battle that anyone man ever fought. The conflicts carried on by GenlGrant and the other prominent military men of our day were of less consequence than this great battle in which the SecyTreasury is to take part, be cause, if GenlGrant were overcome, we could fall back upon Sherman; and if Sher man were unsuccessful, we could fallback upon Sheridan. But if the present SecyTreasury should be overcome, upon whom can we fall back? I desire to say, Mr. Chairman, that I have consented to this bill in committee as a compromise. As such it has been reported. In agreeing to the bill I have been influenced mainly by my confidence in the Gentfrom Vermont, [Mr. MoaniLL] the chairman of the committee. He has been appointed to that position by the Speaker of this House, and the the feat of this bill)will be equivalent to declaring a want of confidence not only in the chair innn of the committee, but also in the Speaker who appointed him. There are but 2 questions before the House at the present time, and those arequestions which have divided this country fromt e origin of our Government. it is no use to attempt to get up here a cry against this bill on the ground that the trouble all arises from the importers. l have seen here, I presume, not less than 50 importers during this session. Some of them have been on this floor today, and I endeav ored a little while ago to obtain the attention of the Chairman that I might call for the enforcement of the rule in reference to admission on the floor. Sir, there is notan importer that has come on here to Washington as a lobbyist who is not in favor of the reposition of my friendfrom Massachusetts, [PML HOOPER] the antagonistproposition to thatnow presented by the chairman of the ComWays&Means. The importers are the natural allies of the brokers, and both are interested in fighting this bill and every similar measure. Gentlemen express their apprehensions that hard times will come if we adopt this bill. Why, sir, the question is simply whether we shall cheat the soldiers and others of the humble, hard working classes of this country out of 25%., when we can borrow at 6%. the money necessary to pay them. On thisquestion arises the difference between my frien from Massachusetts and my friendfrom Vermont; the difference between paper moncy men and hard money men; the difference between the disciples of Andrew Jackson and those of Alexander Hamilton. Let us meet this issue squarely, and if those who support the policy of the SecyTreasury be beaten in this House, we will refer the question to the polls, and will fight it out there. 4