The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-03-25

ism Of standard weight and fneness and with tn Sc
he IL expected 10 satisfy his wants. Applause !
| II we take some Of the speeches we have heard
| from either side about the poor man, and strip
them Of their eloquence and rhetoric, whatever
may be the intention Of their policy, IL TO
paw the tOiling millions Of the country for an hon
est days labor in dishonest dollar, and the cold
winds Of winter are not more chilling or more un-
kind than are those who would treat these
people in this crnel manner, under the fimsy pre-
text Of doing them a kindness. He believed If
the great body of the people OF the country appre
hended the facts connected with this issue, and
understood what was icing done, they would repu-
date the whole thing as sham and humbug
Mr.. Benjamin, OF Indiana, member of the com
mttee coinage, weights and measures, sup
ported the minority report, which favors the
passage Of the free coinage bill, possessing as he
did, the greatest confidence in the integrity and
patriotism Of the president and secretary Of tine
treasury. lie expected, whenever and wherever he
could TO support their views and hold thlir policy,
but on this question he was compelled
the message of the president and report of
the secretary commenting upon and sustaining the
original act lie declared that had the intentions
Of that law been honestly carried out il il more
than possible that the problem would have been
settled long this, either b, free coinage or by
suspension; but the administration Oflaw had been
in hostile hands, and the effect Of the policy fol
lowed only tended TO further epreCiate the market
value of silver bullion. He was in favor of free
coinage because he believed II to be palpable VIC
latiOn OF the constitution and of the rights Of the
age Of either metal. To take away silver To de
stroy busn ss to give plenty Of silver ~ American
labor was to stimulate trade, and
gold would not be driven out of tie country
az long the balance of trade was in our favor n
people confined to the single standard of gold
periods Of depression more lasting and terrible
than before experienced would be our portion.
The friends Of silver should not be deceived by the
declaration that a suspension OF silver coinage
wOulG lead to the adoption of international bimet-
alsm. suspension of coinage meant the demon
etZati0ni of silver while free coinage wOuld make
the silver dollar worth hundred cents Il would
do more. IL would make even cotton, pork and
beans, homes and farms, sweat and muscle, worth
a hundred cents on the dOller lie referred to the
labor question as the most important problem OF
the day. and said, that unless there was a change in
the financial and other policies Of the government
the struggle of labor would be hopeless. lie point
ed out the dangers which he declared would attend
the suspension Of silver coinage. The contraction
OF national bank currency and the locking up of
gold in New York banks, and asked in the name of
the labcrers Of the west that the great strong
Of the government should not be raised to strike
them down. Appliance.
Mr.. Stone, of Missouri addressed the house and
announced himself in favor Of auy measure which
would tend to restore silver to an equality with
gold.
The house then adjourned.
BOND CALL.
WAsnINGToN, March 2s.-The secretary of the
treasury will, on Monday next, issue call for
$lOOW,000 of per cent. bonds The call will