The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-12-31

When we were expressing our view
in an editorial in last weeks issue O
the ARGUS on the hostility of thos,
high in authority against the silvel
dollar, and the influence of the none,
power on Legislation, we were no,
aware that a grave and digni6ed sena.
ator was throwing hot shot into the
very citidel Of power, upon the same
theme. Senator Beck, of Kentucky
an able, upright, courageous man, has
stirred up the animals with a red-ho,
iron. A dispatch to the Pioneer-Press
says: "The speech of Senator Beck
in the Senate to-day made decided
sensation, and is regarded as a decla-
ration Of war against the financial
policy Of the administration. In the
course OF his remarks, he charged that
the secretary Of the treasury had de-
liberately violated the law; that he
was administering the treasury in the
especial interest of the national banks,
and that he was also in the same inter-
est discriminating against silver. The
senator declared, with great earnest
ness Of manner, that he would enforce
fine and Imprisonment upon any officer
who would thus violate the law. Mr..
Beck was SD vehement in manner and
SO blunt in language that upon the
conclusion Of his remarks the senators
upon both sides were too much sur
prised to make any response" Truth
is SO rare now days that even senators
become paralyzed when they hear it.
Mr.. Beck called up the resolution
which had been previously offered by
him, directing the committee on finance
to inquire whether the officials Of the
United States had complied with the
laws requiring that the coin paid for
duties on imported goods should be
set apart as special fund and applied
to the payment Of the interest on
United States bonds, etc. Mr.. Beck
spoke at considerable length on his
resolution. He said:
The laws Of the land were equally
binding on the highest executive officer
and the humblest citizen. Yet the laws
to which his resolution referred had not
for many years been complied with by
the treasury officials. No more states.
manlikc message has ever emanated
from the executive mansion. in Mr..
Beck's opinion than Mr.. Cleveland's
first message, but he (Mr. Beck did
not agree with the position of that
message regarding silver.
Three-fOurths of our business troubles
arose from the fact that the laws of the
United States were not carried out by
our executive officers. Combinations
of bankers and bondholders, and their
well-paid press were opposed to silver,
'uW tuciI prescHt CTusaue against Tie
metal was another evidence Of the
audacity ofwealtby organizations which
had always secured whatever they had
There was no obligation
existing in this county, national OF
that could not lawfully be
paidin gold or silver coin Of the United
States. The bondholders Of the United
States, he said, controlled enormous
amOun,s Of money and the best talent
Of the press. and having now captured
the executive branch of the govern
nent they were clamOring for gold and
gold alone in the settlement of their
claims. How was the surplus silver to
get out Of the treasury If the secretary
Of the treasury would not call in the
bonds that ought to he called in and
pay out the silver? The people BY
their representatives, however, sup
ported silver. No executive officer
should be allowed to disregard the law.
lie would, il he could, take from the
banks their political power and their
influence on the currency, as shown
when they received President Hayes
'eto Oh a memorable occasion.