The Portland daily press., 1886-03-08
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, March 6.
Immediately upon assembling, the House
went eti into % committee of the Whole (Mr Crisp
of Georgia in the chair) on the state of the
Union, for general debate.
Mr.. Millard of New York addressed the
committee on the silver question. What the
which would equalize the value of the gold
and silver dollar and maintain that equality,
some legislation which would make the sill
yer dollar worth ten cents. 1t had been
charged that the present administration was
engaged in a conspiracy with the bondhold-
ers in setting aside the law. He thought that
the sins Of the present administration were
sufficiently heavy, without adding this charge
to them. Twenty per cent OF every silver
dollar that was coined was fat 1t would
not be long before it was rejected and repu-
dated by the people. Everything except the
work of the day laborer would increase in
cost. The laborer would be the first and
last to suffer. The Bland dollar would be-
come little better than the clipped coin Of the
18th century The free coinage of silver
would bring nothing but want and misery
to the homes and fresides of the American
people.
Mr.. Funston of Kansas made speech in
opposition to the suspension OF silver com.
shylocks, who already had the pound OF flesh
and now wished for blood 1t was the heart
less demand of the rich to have the property
of the poor. The United States was strong
and independent, and need ask no fayors. 1t
Ncould devise as many ways of getting gold
from Europe as Europe could devise to get It
from this country. The monetary system OF
the country was not in bad condition. Inc
thing to do was to let it alone.
Mr.. McCreary of Kentucky gave the
President and secretary of the treasury
credit for honest conviction in their recon-
mendations in regard to the silver question.
If the silver agitation would cease, In lew
years silver would equal gold in value: be
combatted the assertion that the continued
coinage of silver would have the effect OF
driving gold out of the country, and quoted
from the tables contained in the report OF
the director of the mint to contradict that
assertion. He was not in favor OF sus-
pension. neither was he in favor OF free
and ultimated silver coinage. 1t would be
time enough to have an unlimited coinage
when the Increase of population and manu-
factures demanded it. The success and hap
piness of the people would be best advanced
ii the agitation on the silver question should
cease and Congress should turn its attention
to the reforming Of the tariff, the restoring
of American vessels to the ocean, the re-
claiming of the public lands and the encour-
aging of education in all parts of the land.
Mr.. Lanham of Texas called upon all
friends of free silver coinage to organize III
order to force vote on the bill reported from
the committee on coinage, weights and meas
ures. The United States should take the
lead, and stand in the fore front in the bat
tie for bl-netallsm, and ne would remove
every hindrance from the way of unlimited
coinage.
Mr.. Rowell of Illinois, submitted an ar
gument in opposition to the suspension of
Silver coinage, and in favor of double
standard of value. Neither business, hon
esty nor commercial necessity required the
Suspension of silver coinage Such suspen-
sion would result in great shrinkage Of
value. 1t would be in the interest of the
strong against the weak, and would amount
to q crime.
Mr.. Laffoon of Kentucky made strong
argument in opposition to the suspension of
silver coinage and detailed the reasons which
led him to advocate unrestricted coinage and
he was listened to with much attention.
Speeches in opposition to the suspension of
silver coinage were made by Messrs. Peel Of
Tennessee, and Toole of Montana.
The committee then rose and the House at
5 o'clock adjourned.