Nebraska advertiser., 1880-01-29
THE WEAVER BILL.
Petitions Factoring Its Passage.

kpoelal 70 the inter OCeho.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ls.-Petitions
are pouring into Congress in vast
IN favor Of one of the most
measures ever present.
ed. Early In December. Weaver, the
iowa Greenbacker, introduced bill
''for the relief OF the soldiers and
sailors who served In the army and
navy Of the United States In the late
war for the suppression OF the rebel
Hon, and 30 restore to them equal
rights with the holders of govern
ment bonds" After reciting that the
soldiers and seiIors were compelled to
receive deprecated currency. and
that Congress has heretofore affirmed
that good faith requires all govern
ment obligations to be paid In coin or
Its equivalent. the bill provides THAI
there shall be paid to each soldier and
sailor, or his beirs. the difference In
value between the currency be re-
ceived aud the gold he should have
been paid. With interest at the rate OF
8 pes cent ever since bis di- charge.
To pay these little bills. Mr.. Weaver
proposes that the Secretary of the
Treasury be authorized to issue $780,
900, 900 of United States notes. or so
much thereof as shall be necessary,
which shall be legal tender 10 pay
ment Of all debts. and kept in circu-
lstion like the United States nOtss.
Soon after this bill was introduced,
petitions for its passage began to come
So, aud they have rapidly increased
In volume ever since. A large pro-
portion are sent direct to Mr.. Weaver.
who put in no less than fifty-four last
Monday, but other Congressman are
also receiving them, while many are
cent to the other end OF the Capitol.
Mr.. Weaver says the food has only
begun. and that he expects a million
signatures TO such petitions will be
received.
Mr.. Weaver is very much In earn
est inthis matter. and processes great
confidence of success. He says that
the soldiers are taking hold Of the cub
ject all over the country. and not only
signing petitions, but calling meetings
10 promnte the agitation. The petit
tons are all sent to the Committee on
Military affairs, to VIII ich the bill was
originally referred, and q snb-ron-
mittee will soon be appointed to con.
slider the question. Mr.. Weaver is
hopeful that the committee viii re-
port favorabIy. and the friends of the
scheme count upon the support OF Mr.,
Sparks of Illinois. it's Chsirman
though he declines as yet TO take any
public position.
II the committee report the bill
back 20 the House, AMI Mr. Weaver
says the pressure will be so strong
that they connot resist 1t. he says
there can be no doubt Of its passage
He does not believe that q maj rity oil
Representatives will dare to oppose 9
measure demanded by the.soldier vote
Of the country. And Ii IL passes the
House, he feels hopeful IL will also
get through the senate, where, curl
ously enough, in view of bis FecorI
during the war. VOORHEES, of Indians
10 its chief Champion.
Though this bill provides for th'
lssue of $500. 600. 600 in legal tenders
Mr.. Weaver does not think quite 81
large an amount will be re7ui,ed. es
timsting that $3.50, 900 900 would an
swer the purpose. OF course he be
aeves that such an enormous imitation
Of the currency would be a grea
thing for the business OF the country
siuce he 10 the mildest sort of green
baokes.
or course no such stupendous foliJ
as this will ever be enacted into Law
for Mr.. Hayes could doubtless b
trusted to veto Ii in the last instance
The general expectation is that thu
Committee on Military affairs will
smother It. if they do not advise out
right against its passage. A gres
many members would be dresdfully
worried if it should be reported ia
vorably, and there are good judges
who think it might pass the House
The large msjorities which tn equal
i1atiou of bounties bill has received
In previous Congresses shows the
strength Of measures which are sup
posed to affect the soldier vote. though
&c hardly seems possible go wild 6
scheme as this could ever pull through
II will do no harm. at any rate. fol
public opinion to pronounce Itself on
the question.