The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-27
RESUMPTION AND SILVER.
An Interview with Gen. Tom Ewing,
I'm which He Gives Some
Interesting Informa-
ton Upon
GREENBACKs. GOLD AND SILVER

spoudent of the Cincinnati Enquirer
found him, and amongst other things ex'
trscted from him the following:
NO CONCESSION TO THE BANKS.
81 notice in some of the papers that
YOUR committee is criticised as having
made concession to the National banks
by accepting the Fort amendment. Nor
rison, OF Illinois, and others, l believe, sc
charge"
"Thst arises from 8 total mlsconcep
ton. The Currency Committees bull tC
repeal the Resumption act and the Fort
amendment We're precisely the same IN
legal effect. The Committees bill dc
not impair free banking, and Was not de-
signed so to DO. We proposed in eui
bill to repeal the whole Resumption Bill
first, leaving tie Il mt tor the substltu'
ton OF greenbacks for National Bank
notes to be brought on by q separate bill
which the Committee will report some
time in January. The Fort amendment
accomplished exactly the purpose OF oul
bill, aud we accepted II, because there
were seven Republicans who would vote
for the Fort amendment that would moi
vote tor the bill. They were skaky on
the resumption question any how, and
said. though our bill did not strike 8,
free banking, the people thought it did,
and they therefore demanded the Fort
amendment. We would have played
into the hands OF the forced resumption
lists if We had suffered defeat OF the
proposition TO repeal the resumption
scheme, rather than win a victory by
mere change of phrsseology.
"But, General, why didn't the CON-
lnit,ee frame It's bill so as to both repeal
the Resumption act ard substitute green
backs for bank nOtesY
That would have been certain defeat
for both propositions. You see large
part of the thirty Republicans and few
of the Democrats who voted to repeal the
resumption scheme are in favor OF Ma
tional Bank currency. On the other
hand, strange as it may seem, there are
some Democrats who favor forced re-
Sumption that are dead against bank cur
reacy. The two propositions, therefore,
had to be kept separate to give either the
slightest chance OF success.
"WIll Your committees proposed bill
TO substitute greenbsck Tor bank notes
pass the House?'
"Thls is not certain. Every day, how.
ever, Increases our strength, for the
people are waking up their Representa-
lives By letters and petitions and per-
sousl appeals, and 1 think it probable
that the bill will pass this session. This
much will be accomplished at least. We
will force the issue and let the people see
whether their Representatives are for
green backs or banking currency in time
for the nominations and elections for
Congress next year"
"Did the Republicans who voted for
the repeal bill stand firmly by your
"Not all OF them. Mills Gardner, of
this State, did splendid work for the bill,
and deserves the thanks Of his constitu-
ents. There were at least seven Repub.
cans who voted for the bill who wanted
il beaten. These men came near making
the bill ridiculous by voting for the
Wood amendment, which was only de-
Gated by one vote. This amendment
proposed TO pay all lsborers in gold on
tie LIST day of January, 1879, and the
bill itself proposes to prevent resump-
tiOn that usy."
The bill, then, as it passed the House,
defeats Shermsn's resumption schemeP
eyes; it wipes it out entirely and does
not leave vestige."
THE BILL IN TIE SENATE.
"What show does the bill stand in the
Senate, General"
ut is now IN the hands of the Com
mittne on Finance, of which Morrill,, OF
Vermont, is chairman. There are nine
Senators Oh TINS committee. Morrill,,
Dawes Of Massachusetts, Herman of New
York, and Baysrd of Delaware are set
down rs opposed to the bill; Ferry OF
Michigan, Jones of Nevada. voorhees, OF
Indisns, and Wallace OF Pennsylvania,
are said 10 favor 1t, rs ii comes from the
House, and Allison. of Iowa, holds the
balance Of power. 1t will only get out
OF the committee with amendments, and
the character OF these depends upon AL
lisOu : views. Two amendments are pro.
posed that will probably be reported
with the bill to the Senate. One pro-
poses to limit the amount of greenbacks
To be issued to the present volume Of
$3l4.O00OO0, and fixes the date fer re-
sumption some time beyond January
1879. The other provides "that the
banks shall provide redemption fund
from the income OF their government
bonds, and that the green backs, after re-
dempton, may be re-issued."
Can the bill, pass the Senate,
Genersl2"
Il think it can. l have here list of
Senators that has been carefully prepared
bg the friends of the measure" The
General took from his pocket book q
piece o. paper ard called the roll.
The following Democrats are opposed
t. the bill: Baruum and Eaton, OF Con-
nocticut; Randolph and Mcpherson, OF
New Jersey; Herman, OF New York;
B4yard and salisbury, of Delaware; one
f.om Maryland; Hill, of Georgia, and
Lamar, of Mississippi. Total, 10 The
remainder of the Democratic Senators
will vote for the bill. The following Re.
publicans are known to be for the bill:
C,meron, of Pennsylvania, Strong, Fer
~, O5lesby, Davis, ingalls,, Plumb
Dorsey, Spencer, Patterson, Conover
Jones and Booth. 1t Is thought that
Matthews, Kirkwood, Window, McMil.
Ian and Wright will vote for the bill.
Without the doubtful ones the bill will
have thirty.eight votes tor 1t in the
Senate as it comes from the House"
THE SILVER QUESTION.
"What is the condition of the Silver
Bill passed by the House?'
1T Is in the hands of the Senate
Finance Committee, ard will be reported
to the Senate after the recess with two
amendments One prop >ses to let the
Government buy silver bullion at the
market price and give the Government
the benefit of the seignorage, AID the
other proposes to limit the amount of sll,
Yer coined by tine Government TO not
more than four millions and not less than
two millions per month. The last amend.
ment will, be defeated in the Senate"
MATTHEWS RESOLUTION.
doesn't Matthews concurrent resolu.
ton come up before the Silver Bill2"