The Van Buren press., 1878-03-05
Passage of the Silver Bill Over the Pres
dents Veto.

In the House of Representatives on
the 2Sth ult., message was received
from the President announcing that he
had vetoed the silver BILL
Mr.. Stephens moved to proceed to the
business on the Speakers table for the
purpose Of taking up the veto message
The Speaker said the motion was unnec-
essary, as it was the duty Of the Chair
to present 1t
The Speaker thereupon, having first
seen that order WAS restored, laid the
message before the House.
The President says it has been his
earnest desire to concur with Congress
d h se 9eep e6Ha q II he ts6uh Il SIT
as not to impair the obligations and CON
tracts, either public or privatc-nor inju,
riously affect the public credit. 1t was
only on conviction that this bill did not
meet that esscntial requirement that he
felt it his duty to withhold from it his
approval.
The Message further states that the
capital defect of the bill is that it con-
tans no provisiop protecting from its
operation the pre- existing debts. In ease
the coinage which it creates shall contin
NC Of less value than that which was the
sole legal tender when they were Great
ed, in the judgement OF mankind it would
be an act of bad faith. The standard OF
value should not be changed without the
consent of both parties to the contract
Tho national ShnnIl ha 1yn, Il
with unfinchng fidelity. He could not
sign bill which would authorize the vi,
oIation of sacred obligations. The obi,
CATION Of public faith transcribed all
questions Of profit or public advantage.
Its unquestionable maintenance was the
dictate as well Of honesty as of expedi-
ency, and should ever be carefully guar
ded by the Executive, by Congress and
by the people.
The message of the President having
been read in the midst Of profound ST
lence, the Speaker said the question was
viii the House, on reconsideration
pass the bill ?"
Mr.. Stephens. On that | move the
previous question. The previous CUES
ton was seconded, and the main ques
ton ordered.
Mr.. Stephens. | propose that by gen
cral consent, every member shall be per
mitted to have printed in the Recorc
such remarks as he may desire to make
on this subject.
Mr.. Banks. | object.
Mr.. Fort. As this message is not tc
be printed | ask that 1t be read again
| lShouts Of No no. from the friends
Of the bill.1
The Speaker. Does the gentleman de-
S re to have the message printed?
Mr.. Fort do not.
The Speaker. 1t goes into tho Rec
ord.
Mr.. Fort, ! mean to say that, as il
has not been printed for our considera
ton, it should be read again, before q
vote is taken.
Mr.. Cox, Of New York | object tc
having the message read again, 1t is 4
charge of fraud by fraud.
Mr.. McCook. call my colleague tc
order, and ask that his words be taken
down at the clerks desk. [Shouts OF
Down ~ Down. "Order w Or
der y from the Democratic side of the
Chamber,] demand that they be Ia
ken down and read.
Mr. Cox. | simply said that the mes
sage was a charge OF fraud by fraud.
Mr.. McCook.-That was very improp
er language to be used in the presence
of the House.
Mr.. Cox. 1t was a very true express
ion OF the general sentiment.
Mr.. McCook. | insist upon the ques
tiGn of order.
The Chair-The Chair thinks that the
gentleman Cox was not entitled tc
make any remarks at all.
Mr.. McCook. But he did make them
The Speaker. The roll-call has been
commenced, and must be proceeded with
| Mr.. McCook. | ask Tor the ruling OF
the CHAIR on the words used.
The Speaker. The Chair thinks thai
the language of the gentleman from New
York was out of order he had no RICH