Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-16

not otherwise appropriated; & to purchase from
time to time silver bullion, not less than two
million per month, nor more than four million
per month, and cause the same to be coined,
ETC., the vice president announced that the SEN
ator from Alabama had proposed to amend the
amendment, when that submitted by Senator
Morgan some days ago, was read by the chief
clerk 1t provides that, holders of any silver bull
hon may deposit the same at any mint in quanti-
ties of the value of not less than 500 in single
deposit and not to exceed the value of 100000
during any calendar month, to be coined into
dollars. It further provides for the issue of
certificates for bullion deposited, such GER
tificates to be paid in legal tenders. Senator
Morgan said from the beginning he had been in
favor of the bill as it came from the House Of
Representatives He had submitted the amend
ment in spirit Of compromise, but as it was
not likely to produce any good he withdrew it.
The question then required on the amend
ment of Senator Beck, submitted some days
ago, directing the secretary of the treasury to
purchase not less than three million dollars
worth of silver bullion per month, to be coined
into dollars. 1t further provides that when
ever the market price of silver bullion is such
that it cannot be purchased by the secretary of
the treasury at less than par with legal tender
notes, he shall give public notice of the fact
and then any citizen of the United States who
is the owner of silver bullion may deposit the
same at any mint and have it coined for his
benefit. The second section of the amendment
provides that hereafter all half dollars, quar-
tiers and ten cent pieces, coined at minis of the
United States, shall contain the same relative
quality of pure and standard silver as the dol
lar authorized to be coined by the act.
Senator Thurman referred to the resolutions
of the general assembly of Ohio, presented by
him a few days since, favoring passing the
Bland bill, and said upon the question of mere
policy he felt bound to respect the will of the
people Of Ohio, as expressed by her general as
sembly, particularly when he believed that
such will was truly expressed, as he had no
doubt it was in this case. There is very little
difference between the bill as reported from
the Senate committee on finance and as it came
from the House. There was one two things
in the amendment however, to which he desired
to call attention. 1t did not provide when
coinage should take place, and with hostile
treasurer in the treasury, he was not content
to leave the amendment in an obscure condi-
ton. Again the amendment provided that the
secretary should purchase silver bullion out Of
any money in the treasury not otherwise APP
propriated. In view of the fact that our
revenu es had been decreasing it would hardy
be safe to leave that provision as it now stood
In view of the decreasing revenues the question
might be asked whether we had any surplus
revenue.
Senator Blaine said he had received probably
twenty-five letters inquiring of him in regard
to the point which had been magnifed in this
debate to a considerable degree and that was
relative to the passage of the acts of February
10th, 1873, demonetizing silver, inquiries to
whether the bill had been read in the House of
because at that time he happened to be presid-
ing officer of the Hsuse. Any one who read
the Globe of that date would see that the bill
was read in the House. To be sure in regard to
the matter he had examined the files of the
newspapers and he found in the regu-
lar reports of proceedings, that Mr..
Hooper called up the voluminous bill to
codify and amend the coinage and mint laws,
and offered a substitute which he asked the
House to pass without having it read. The
proposition was voted down, and an hour was
consumed in reading the bill. Senator Blaine
also read from reports in Washington papers of
that date to show that the bill was read and
continuing his remarks said the truth was that
no one cared for the bill. All were great deal
wiser about the bill to-day than they were then.
Let all be equally frank and be equally ignor-
ant alike.
Senator Voorhees-Was the Senator from
Maine, then speaker of the House, equally
ignorant with the rest of us?
Senator Blaine don't mean ignorant as to
it's effects When the bill passed there was no
such thing as silver dollar. My friend from
Indiana, Senator Voorhees,, had not had one in
his pocket for years.
Senator Voorhees, asked if he could call upon
his friend from Maine, Senator Blaine, as an
other witness who knew nothing about the bill
Senator Blaine-I did not know anything
about the bill at all. Iaughter.) l would
like to exchange questions with my friend from
Indiana, whose duty it was, member of the
House, to know about questions. Mine was to
put questions. Did he know any thing aboutit.
Senator Voorhees, very frankly say did
not.
Senator Thurman said this was very curious
catechism between the Senators from Maine
and Indiana, to whether either knew about
the bill demonetizing silver. The truth was
no human being knew of it, because the bill
did not do it. Great laughter OH the floor and
in the galleries. When the bill was before the
Senate the general opinion was that it was sim
ply to fix up metal laws, and no man in the
Senate had the slightest idea there was even a
squirt in the bill towards demonstration of
silver.
Senator Allison moved the five minute rule
be applied to debate on the amendments.
Senator Edmunds-Not a bit of it.
Vice President Objection is made and the
motion requires unanimous consent.
Senator Beck explained his amendment, as
he did a few days ago when it submitted,
and in the course of his remarks said he wanted
to have all the silver coinage possible. The
only fear he had was that with hostile secre-
tary Of the treasury and hostile director of
the mint, both of whom he would dismiss from
Office had he power to do so but as he had no
such power he desired to make the law as plain
as possible and force them to coin the silver
dollar,
The discussion was continued att length,
during which Senator Ferry said he wanted
Congress to express in the law plainly just
what it wanted done. He wanted the law adj
mirably worded and admirably enforced He
had hitherto refrained from expressing his
views on this bill, but it was well known that
he was an early advocate Of the reconciliation
of the silver dollar.
Senator Merriman, N. c., in abiding to the
capacity of the minis to coin money, said Con-
gress should be careful not to cause suspension
of coinage of gold and subsidiary coin by fixing
the amount of silver dollars to be coined. as
Senator Allison said it was not the intention
of the finance committee to interfere with the
coinage of gold and subsidiary coin. He be-
lieved the coinage of both metals could be car
ried on successfully.
Senator Thurman moved that at D. M the
Senate take a recess till Soc clock.
Senator Whyte said he was as much opposed
to the passage of the silver bill as any one, but
he felt that public interest suffered from DELAY
in acting on the bill, and thereforehe was will
ling to stay here all night to dispose of it.
The motion Of Senator Thurman was rejected
After further discussion Senator Beck modi-
fed his amendment SO as to provide for the
coinage of silver rapidly as possible and APP
propriating out of any money in the treasury,
not otherwise appropriated, the necessary
amount to carry out the provisions of the act.
A vote was then taken on the amendment as
modified and it was rejected.
On motion of Senator Chaffee the amend
ment of the finance committee was amended
by inserting the word worth, /" so as to provide
that the treasury shall purchase not less than
two million dollars worth nor more than four
million dollars worth of silver bullion pei
month.
On motion of Senatar Ferry the amendment
was further amended by inserting the words
provide that bullion purchased shall be coined
hl,r Eoaf ol,aaod :