Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-30

He argued that the silver bill in substance
proposed that two men should approach the
mint-one with silver and the other with
gold; that the government should stamp sill
yer and raise it 10 per cent? in value, and at
the same time stamp the gold, but raise it
nothing in value. He could not support such
measure.
Senator Gordon presented the resolutions
of public meeting held at Rome, Georgia,
in favor of demonstration of silver and the
repeal of the specie resumption act. Re
ferred.
Senator Dawes then spoke in opposition
to the silver bill. He said, just so far as this
bill adds dollar to the aggregate vol
ume of the currency it cheats and deludes
the people with false quantities and vain
expectations. I cannot stop to argue the
evils of imitation, for if any one at this day
doubts OF disbelieves, he must be given over.
I find it in this bill in its most insidious and
dangerous character, and therefore it's pas
sage at this time will be especially unfortu-
nate and disastrous. Every attempt to
force by law a fictitious appreciation
upon deprecated value, is sure to inflict
evil and wrong upon those compelled to use
it, and most of all upon the poor, who,
without capital, are at the mercy of every
country which is to be completed tomorrow,
OF at any time in the future, is by this bill
launched at once upon uncertainty. Con-
fdence alone is the atmosphere in which
all human effort breathes and ives-dis-
trust, the mephitic gas in which it dies.
The passage of this bill will be at a terrible
cost to the public credit It makes the
entire public debt payable in silver, to-day
eight or ten cents below par in the markets
of the world, and SO fuctuating and unstable
that no one can tell what will be its value
tomorrow, much less what it will be in the
future, when the bonds shall mature.
Senator Dawes continued his argument at
great length, and finally said the spectacle of
great nation, in the vigor of undeveloped
manhood and unmeasured health, seeking
by such bill as this, something with which
to pay it's Indebtedness to it's own citizens
cheaper than the money it borrowed from
them, and counting up the total profit of
cents on dollar, saved in thus iquidating
with cheap money in the days of its security
and strength its Indebtedness of two thous-
and millions, contracted in the hour of its
extremity, and to save its life, such spec
tacle is one abhorrent to national honor, and
destructive to national credit-involV1hg ma
tional humiliation and disgrace.
Senator Whyte spoke against the bill. His
position on the silver question has been
plainly indicated heretofore.
Senator Cameron, Wis, submitted the
amendment to the silver bill SO as to provide
that the dollar shall consist of 400 grains
standard silver, instead of 412115 grains.
Ordered printed.
Senator Burnside submitted an amend
ment to the clause declaring that said dollar
shall be legal tender for all debts public
and private amounting to sums over $500.
Ordered printed.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
a sage from the President, enclosing
copies of the report of the commissioner of
Indian affairs and the general land Office, in
answer to the Senate resolution of the 10th
inst, in regard to payments to the Indians.
Referred.
Senator Christiancy then took the floor to
speak upon the silver bill, but yielded to
Hamlin, on whose motion the Senate went
into executive session, and when the doors
re-opened the Senate adjourned.