The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-16
wASHINGTON.
Silver Legislature.


yeas ll9, nays 1O7. The result Of the
last two votes was greeted with applause
on the Democratic side.
The question as to whether the amend
ments could be voted On gave rise to much
discussion. Mr.. Haskell asserted that he
would have voted to lay the bill! on the ia
BILE II he had supposed the House would be
prevented from voting on all the amend.
ments. lie said he regarded some OF the
provisions of the billas monstrosities. and
he would not vote for it unless it could be
amended.
Mr.. Stephens also stated it as his un-
derstanding all along that the bill should
be voted on by sections and Mr.. Clymer
asserted that he would not have voted on
the previous question unless be supposed
the bill was open for amendments.
On the other hand it was argued By
Messrs. Springer, Kenna, and Warner
that under the previous question the bill
must be voted on as whole. Finally it
was agreed that the previous question
would only apply to the first section on
the bill, which provided that gold coins
shall be: A one dollar piece or unit, of 25
$40 grains; quarter eagle Of $3.50, So
piece, an eagle and double eagle. The
fection was agreed to, los to "a.
The question then recurred on the
second section, which provides that silver
coins shall be dollar or unit, half dollar,
quarter dollar and q dime; that the
weight Of the dollar shall be 4l23 grains
troy; the weight of the dollar shall be 4123
grains troy; the weight of the half dollar
l22 grammes, and the weight of the quar-
ter and dime one halt and one fifth re-
| spectfully Of that of the half and one fifth
respectively of that OF the half dollar.
Also that silver dollars 10 the Treasury,
when reduced in weight by natur-
al abrasion more than one per cent shall
! be recoined.
Mr.. Kimmell moved to amend by max
ing the weight of silver dollar 400 grains,
and argued III support of his amendment.
Mr.. Springer opposed the amendmen;
on the ground principally that the bonded
debt of the country could now without dis
honor or Reputation be paid with silver
dollars of 4l23 grains and the payment oil
that debt in silver dollars Of 400 grains
would be bounty of 473 grains of silver OF
each dollar for the benefit of the bono
holders. Ii creditors were not satisfied
with the payment of the debt in dollars O.
4l23 grains they might make the most @
lit.
Mr.. Bright argued against the amend
ment and in favor of the section. 1t was
question, he said, Of American mountain
of gold and silver against the mountains o
public debt, and he predicted that it Woult
require large army aGduavy to keep dow
{ the people staggering under the load Q
their difficulties and to make them pay il
: silver dollars of 460 grajns debt pay
{ able 10 laU and equity in standard silve
j dollars.
r Mr.. Deuster opposed the whole bi
as another effort to make money chea
by the simple process of legislating eighty
, Eve cents worth Of silver into dollar
This cheap dollar, however, would nl
G bring a reduction of prices with it, br
y would simply lower Itself in the scale
articles OF exchange. Congress coul
not create values, but could easily ipiur
them.
Mr.. Buckner opposed the amendmeI
i and supported the bill. AS soon as tt
4 United States has determined that
would stand by the standard heretofol
adopted the nations of Europe would join
y Mr.. Price, although avoWing himself t
: be a silver man, opposed the bill, becauS
O its tendency was to create unrest and u
: easiuess throughout the country.
= Mr.. Monroe said he had two or thre
Y weeks ago introduced in the House pr
II position upon which the yeas al
n nays were taken, and in which he vi
: supported by members on his side of til
If chamber, to the effect that in the ;udgme
n of the House the business interests
,e the country required that there should
- 20 financial legislation during the prese
< session. / introduced that resolution
e. good faith, because it was the expressi
:. of my own convictions and the convict;o
<. which | hold in regard to financial legisl
ton generally at The present time al
c. hold still more intensely with regard
10 legislation on the silver question.
ID would have the present law upon that su
n ject remain as it is. InvieW of the rey
in lulionwhich has taken place in Europe
$. favor Of double standard the present VI
rv the most gnfaVorsble time for Congre
;h tc legislate op the subject. Twelve mont
es hence all elements of the question wou
in be changed. His own judgment was th
ON within a year or to such understand
IT. would be reached between England, Fran
Sc and the United States as would fix t
90 weight OF silver dollars low as 4123 grai
er and1would probably restore the old raj
of 153 to l as between gold and silver.
- was therefore absurd to attempt to fix
day the weight of the silver dollar.
. Mr.. " arner moved the previous qu
ton on the second section and 1t v
seconded
TIE amendment offered by Mr.. Ki
nv nell was rejected-yeas 81, nays l76.
y The second section was then agreed
and the third second was taken up.
provides that any owner Of silver bull
may deposit the came at any mint, to
formed into bars or into standard doll
of 4l22 grains for his benefit
Mr.. Belford moved to amend by inse
ing after the word bullion, the words "p
duced from mintsj in the United State
TIE amendment was reieoted-yeas
nays l30.
Mr. Calkins moved to add to the sect
proviso that the Secretary of the Tre
ury may purchase silver bullion for CT
age at its market value, and that all "a
,Iv and profits arising therefrom shall in
Y to the United States.
Mr.. Warner opposed the amendment
the ground that it would close the nj
lnI against silver The amendment was
". jeeted-yeas ia, nays lis.
Mr. Warner moved to reconsider
Ility vote aud lay the motion on the table,
var var the yeas and nays being demanded W
drew the motion.
n ] Adjourned.