Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-20
..rhe Devil a saint would Re-"

"Old Ihad. the Ureat Oom moher
of Pennsylvania--the Pluto of the Con-
gressional purgatory-has been on the
rampage on the finance question; and
by an unexpected alteration Of mind,
indicating common sense and reason,
has planted himself on the New York
platform, pledged to support Seymour
and Blair, and avowed himself in square,
honest English in favor of equal cur
rency for all classes-the "greenback
policy" in all its purity. We extract
from the proceedings Of Congress on
Friday night last short discussion on
the Funding Bill, which, as the reporter
says, created much excitement and
sensation" It is well worth transfer
to our columns:
During the discussion Mr.. Stevens, who
advocated four per cent. as the lowest
rate of interest, said he had understood
The gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. Ross, to
saw that the bonds should be paid accord
ing to the New York platform. What
was that PLATFORM
Mr.. Ross-To pay fve-twenties in law
ful money.
Mr.. Stevens-What do you call lawfsl
money
Mr.. Ross--Greenbacks that is your
doctrine and mine, you know. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Stevens-I hold to the Chicago
platform, and, as | understand it on that
point, to the New York platform, that
those bonds shall be paid just according
to the original contract.
A Member-The law.
Mr.. Stevens-According to the law
Mr.. Pike--The spirit and letter of the
contract
Mr.. Steyens-What wss that law that
the interest should be paid MP to certain
time at six per cent in coin, after the
bonds fell due would be payable in
money. Just as the gentleman from IL
liuois understood it, just as be (Mr. Ste
vens) understood il, just as all under
stood it when the law was enacted, just as
it was explained on the floor dozen
times by The chairman of the Committee
on Ways aud Means. If be knew that
any party in the country would go for
paying in coin that which was payable in
money. ihus enhancing the debt ONE
half. If he knew there was such plat
form, and such determination on the
part Of his own party, he would with
Frank Blair vote for the other party. He
would vote for no such swindle on the
tax payers Of the country; be would vote
for no such speculation in favor of the
large bondholders and millionaires. He
repeated, though it was hard to say it, that
even If Frank Blair stood on the plat
form of paying according to contract,
and if the Republican candidate stood
on the platform Of paying bloaied specn-
latOrs twice the amount agreed to be paid
them, and Of taxing his constituents to
death, be woEld vote for Frank Blair,
even IL q worse man than Seymour was
on the ticket, be added. Much excite
ment and sensation.
This merely proves the utter futility
of opposing principle 80 we'll grounded
in the convictions Of the people as this
Of equal currency. Stevens, with all bis
malignity and fanaticism, knows toe
much TO force the rsyenous claims Of
pampered aristocracy upon tax ridden
people, when the poorest boy in the com
munity, If be earns Eve dollars week
virtually pays more real tax than the
boudholder who tolls not, but draws hiI
interest on his uniaxed bonds 10 gold
frou the GoveEnmsnt's strong box OLD
Thad, "on the yergeof eierniiy,' sOuil
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