Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-24
SENATOR BECK'S SPEECH.

SENATOR BECK'S SPEECH.
What IL said of Ia In Silver and Auti.Siiver
Circles.
Washington POST
Senator Beck's speech in favor of the
continued coinage Of silver and the pay
ment of public creditors in the same
coin naturally was the absorbing topic
of conversation at the Capitol yes
terday. The silver men were unani-
nous in declaring that his pre-
sentation Of the case was correct
in every particular and that his argu-
ments could not be gainsaid. Many
OF the senator's, especially those of the
East, waited until they could get the
Record before they would express an
opinion, and then the majority favored
his views. Among the Republicans
there was disposition manifested to let
matters take their course. With Chair
man Allison, Of the Appropriations
Committee, for the Republican side Of
the Chamber, and Senator Beck on the
Democratic, as the specially-avowed
champions of needed silver legislation,
there could be few errors.
Already Senator Beck's speech is in
great demand, and orders have been
given for thousands Of copies to be
printed at once. Z" We shall send Mr..
Beck's speech to every money centre in
the United States" said a prominent
Republican senator and silver advocate,
because we think his ideas should be
disseminated among the people. Here
in the East especially the press has tried
to make it appear that all silver over
$50, 900 is an encumbrance simply
because the President said in his mes
sage that only about that amount was
in circulation. No other subject in
which the people are interested so
closely has been so belied by the capt.
talists and corporations on the Atlantic
seaboard. Two thirds of the people
and their representatives favor the con-
tinued coinage Of silver, and, mark my
words for it, no laws inimical 20 silver
will ever pass the Forty-ninth Con-
gress.'
All the senator's who have not left
the city for the holidays were at the
Capitol yesterday, and, irrespective of
party, they engaged in conversation
concerning Senator Beck's utterances.
The Democrats regretted that he had
so early arrayed himself in opposition
te the President and Secretary Of the
Treasury, and yet they declared that
he was so well fortified with facts that
it would have been dangerous to oppose
him unprepared. His speech, too, they
said, was entirely unexpected, since his
resolution ostensibly related to "coin
duties on imported goods" and it was
the general impression that he would
content himself with remarks on that
subject. .
"But, you know, under the rules Of
the Senate said another senator, 4" it
is permissible for speech to take a
very wide range, and it was in accord
ance with this usage that Mr.. Beck
talked as he did. Still, credit must be
given him for an able contribution to
the cause Of silver coinage. and who
ever replies to him will have to be very
guarded"
In fact, on the Democratic side Of the
chamber there are so many senator's
who coincide with the Kentucky sena-
tor that it is doubtful if any Of his as
sociates will attempt such task.
1t was understood that Senator Nc
Pherson, of New Jersey, a staunch
friend Of the Administration and an op-
ponent of unlimited silver coinage,
would be assigned this duty; but when
questioned on the subject Mr.. McPher-
son declared that the proposition was
news to him, and that he had never
canvassed it with any one.
Attention was specially directed to
the charge made by Senator Beck that
the President and the Secretary of the
Treasury had not, as they alleged,
made an effort to increase the clrcula-
ton of silver, and that no public cred
itor other than the bondholder had ever
| complained when payment was made
in silver or silver-certiicates. All other
creditors were entitled to the same con-
sideration as bondholders, and the tax
PAYERS were not interested in keeping
bonds at "a per cent. above par when
they must soon be bought with the sur
plus revenues.
This point about the bonds will be
elaborated in the discussion that is
bound to ensue when the Beck resolu.
ton comes back from the Finance Com
mittee," said an eastern senator yester-
day afternoon, land my impression is
that as soon as the holidays are over
the discussion will be precipitated.
During the next two weeks the silver
men will be very busy looking after
their interests, and when Congress
comes together again they will be in
tip-top fighting trim fol an aggressive
campaign. There is nothing that can pre-
vent this agitation, and the silver policy
of the Administration is going to be
handled very roughly. and the plain,
unvarnished truth will be expressed in
the Debates"
The Republicans are rather pleased
at the break in the Democratic ranks,
and take pride in reverting to the fact
that the first onslaught against the
Administration came from one of its
own party associates. Several Repub.
lican senators will follow in the same
line with Senator Beck, and among
them is said to be Senator Evarts, OF
New York, who aims to be on the pop
ular side in the pending controversy.