New-York tribune., 1886-07-07
THE REPUDIATORS LATEST

Late one afternoon, when the wearyint
york over thousands Of small details IN TIT
Sundry Civil Appropriation bill had prolonged
the session of the House beyond the usua
hour, and senseless war of words betweei
Bland, of Missouri, Weaver of Iowa, ant
scme other currency cranks, about their Iela
tive affection for and fidelity to the grecnbaek
had driven out of the House members to whom
pure stupidity is tiresOme beyond endurance
| an amendment was offered which was notorious
| ly out of ORDER and which, IL anybody Nae
objected, the chairman must have ruled oul III
once as contrary to the prohibition OF new
| legislation in appropriation bills. The amend
ment had nothing to do with the bill, or Will
the previous deluge of words about the green
back, though it would affect a complete change
in the entire currency of the county. Every
member of the House had a right to presume
that such a change could not be ioisted upon
an appropriation bill contrary to the rule, Du'
no member appears TO have been present VINO
had enough intelligence to detect the mischlev-
ous character OF the amendment. Mr. Randall
who had charge OF the bill, cannot be trusted TO
maintain the sOundness and honesty OF the cur
lepcy. The moment passed Ill which single
mint of oder would have shut out the amend
meut. and then the repudiating members III the
IIouse gladly seized their chance 10 deba>e
the currency. The amendment was passed
without roll call, nOr was there call Tor the
yeas and nays when the amendment came up
ior "a separate vote in the House II kepup-
Hcan members realized its mischievous char
aracter, they seem to have taken 1t fcr giahled
that a Democratic House would vote 1t Ill any
way, and that record OF yeas and nays would
be of no consequence. The provision thus
ad0pted in violation of the rules, without any
consideration whatever, has gone To the Sen
ate whele it ought to be shut out as contrary
to the rule, Us contrary to sound policy, ana as
. momentous change which it would be folly
lo make without prolonged and thorough dis
cussion.
In two respects the provision would radical
ly change the character OF the currency.
Since the issue OF more legal tenders Wa
stoppcd. after long and hard light with the IN
tationists, ard resumption was promised, the
Government has issued no paper promises ca
cept upon deposits OF money by holders, with
express agreement that the money deposlted
.hould he held sacred Tor the redemption Vi the
nroniscs issued. The gold and silver ceitiil-
cafes are of that character. The essential feat
me of this kind of currency is that 1t is not a
borrowing of money by the Government Dat
mere exchange of one kind OF money already III
the hands OF the people for another. No issue
fakes place under such conditions, unless thele
IS a demand among the people Tor the holes
issued lhi> Is Il safeguard ol thc greatest
,uno, t,lnce which, as to the small silver notes,
tle House proposes 10 sweep away. Ihe sn-
v,r certificates of small denominations, 1t pro-
nnses Government shall Is>uc ana tliust INTO
circulation whether the people want them OF
moi The provision does not pcln1t, but re-
u,,ires the Secretary to issue the shall notes
lor all The silver owned by the TIeisuy, with
out any deposit by the people, without any evl-
dence OF domtnd among the people, ana with
out any stipulation even that the silver siHlll
be held iOr their redemption. But were That
of no consequence, IL change Oi stlll greater I'M
pOrtance il involved
Hitherto the amount Of small notes Ill clrcu-
latIon has been governed, inst, by actual eX-
pcIlence showing what proportion of small
notes was naturally required i'll trade, ana
segond by the wise discretion given to the
Secretary of the Treasury, who has been warned
by the return OF small notes to the Treasury In
has exceeded public needs. This discretion the
House proposes 10 take away 1t requires tha
small notes. i'll amount more than double the
amount ever used III healthy trade, shall be
forced INTO circulation, and shall be Iessued by
the Treasury If returned There Is no posi-
bility OF mistaking the meaning of this piOvl-
,ion. 1t is intended to produce all the worst
effects of currency imitation, swiftly as pos
sibc, and to piohiblt any effort of the Govern
lncnt To protect the cOuniy against dcple-
cation OF the paper to the silver standard.
Senators who vote for such measure vote to
drive silver out of use, and to debasc and
debauch the paper currency. The issue
between honest money men and repudiatOrs
never was more sharply presented, and the
votes of Senators will be watched with that
L.. nnIinlr