The Portland daily press., 1878-01-23
THE SILVER BILL.
A Conspiracy to Force it Through.
The Esresisgeau TO be COercea into
Signing Ht.

NEW YORK, Jan % AT a caucus OF mem
bars Of the House of Representatives at Wash
ipgton, last evening, favoring silver remonetiza-
ton and anti-resumptiop, nearly one half of
the members OF the House were present AT
ter session with closed and guarded Doors
lasting for three-quarters OF an hour, it tram
spired that The advocates of a new policy had
met to inaugurate new thoroughly new psrti-
Fan league for the success of the silver bill, the
reconciliation of silver, the repeal of the re-
sumption act and abolition Of the national
banking system. By actual count it was found
that between So and 80 members of the House
were present. Mr. Buckner of Mo-, Chairman
of the banking committee, Democrat, took
the chair. Mr.. Phillips of Kansas, Rep ubli-
can, also a member Of this com mittee, was Sec
rotary, and Gen. Rice of Ohio, Democrat, the
chairman of the pension committee, was treas
urer.
Mr.. Bucknsr said the object of the meeting
was to take into consideration the organization
of members of Congress into league for the
purpose of securing such legislation as the SEN
timent of large majority of the country SEEM
ed to demand It's objects could be better de-
fined by stating them to be remonetization of
silver, repeal of the specie resumption act and
substitution of the greenback for the national
banking currency, to be issued by the govern
msnt of the United States But he thought it
was more Important now that the good work
this day begun should not be embarrassed with
unnecessary propositions. The efficiency of the
organz alton could be greatly incre assd by max
ing friends outside the halls of Congress, and
it was true that very many national banks were
in full sympathy with the first two named OBJ
jects of the call.
Mr. Fort of Illinois, Republican, said that
to test the sense of those present he would offer
resolution to the effect that the object of the
association to be formed at this meeting should
be to secure the passage of bills providing for
the RECOMMENDATION of silver and the repeal of
the resumption act.
Messrs Bragg, Townsend, Cobb McMahon
and Oliver said that they favored a resolution
| including the three objects named by the chair
| man.
1t was evident that the sentiment of the
| meeting was divided On the national currency
| question. Mr., Fort thought it unwise at this
time TO attempt to do too much, and believed it
best to limit the platform to the tenor of the
resolution he had offered.
Gen. Ewing said he agreed with Mr.. Fort.
and the national banking system must be borne
| with for while, as necessary evil.
Mr.. Cannon thought tho members would effect
most by limiting the platform to the silver and
| repeal measures.
Messrs. Springer and Durham ssd they con-
Cured with Mr. Cannon.
Gen. Butler next took the floor. He said he
1 did not doubt the time would come when all
| the money necessary for the business of the
Many national banks sympathized with the
first two objects of the CALL and it was also ey-
ident that the national banking system had its
friends among tho gentlemen present. Why
weaken good cause by adding to it useless
weight? He regarded the reconciliation of
| silver as carrying with it the repeal of the re-
| sumption act, and this was the most important
| measure before the country. The sentiment in
| favor OF reconciliation was growing stronger
| every day; when it was accomplished the clam
| oring for resumption would cease as the gov
| eminent would have provided itself with the
1 means of defence whenever greenbacks were
| presented for redemption. He was in favor Of
| making greenbacks as good and equal to gold
in value, but did not believe in their being re-
| deemable in gold, as every person would then
| gather them up and demand gold, which would
| certainly cause suspension and embarrassment.
Though but eleven months remain till the
| day fixed for resumption. the national banks
| are not making preparation for resumption; on
the contrary, they expect when their bills are
| presented, to hand them over to the govern
| ment, take up their bonds and make the gov
| eminent become responsible for procuring gold
enough to redeem them. But remonetize sill
yer, and the problem is solved. 1t is safe to
say, and it appears from information in my
possession. that we may expect the President to
veto the silver bill expressing the views OF
| majority of Congress. What then is to be
| done? A two-thirds vote cannot always be re-
| lied upon. What then remains to be done if
| the President should deem it his duty to veto
| the bill and to prevent the enactment OF law
| demanded by large majority of the people?
L ~ WUulO 10 buo uuty Oi VIC pOoplo iopACoOu1a-
| tives to resort to powers reposed IN them, and
| refuse to vote one dollar of supplies or rather
| refuse to make appropriations for carrying on
| the government, conditioned on the passage OF
the silver bill, or such measures as are demand
| ed by the people. In that crisis, shall favor
l lacking to every appropriation, the vetoed
measure and stand By Withholding money un-
1 til it becomes law.
This last was said with peculiar emphasis,
and it was received with rounds of applause
| The Fort resolution was adopted, and COM
mittee appointed to advance the interests of
| the association and to collect funds for the Cir
| culation of documents favOriBg the cause.
Some general conversation ensued in advocacy
of the union of members of the Senate with
| the organization, aud the opinion was ex-
| pressed that the Senators in sympathy with its
objects would join with the members of the
| House.
Mr. Harrison offered a resolution asking the
sense of the meeting on proposition making
the payment of monies for the ensuing fiscal
year. in silver dollars of 412a grains each, and
requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to pro-
vide coin for the purpose, said coin to be legal
tender for all debts public and private; but it
was ruled out as not exactly pertinent to the
objects of the meeting. The meeting then adj
iourned, subject to the call of the chairman.
1t was stated that on refusals of approprla-
lions, in the event of veto of the silver bill,
over $50 members would vote with the MEM
bers of the league. 1t was also suggested that
the post office bill had better be excepted from
the number. as that bill was important to the
people, and failure to appropriate would only
deprive the people of business facilities.