The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-13
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
The bill providing for the purchase Of the old
produce exchange building and site in New York
city for army purposes, which appropriates $780,
900 was passed.
The president pro tenn asked permission to be
absent after tomorrow for the remainder Of the
week and that Senator Hawley be substituted in
his stead as presiding officer during that time.
Consent was given.
Mr.. Beck submitted for reference to the com
mittee on finance, substitute for Mr.. Eustis' re-
cent resolution as follows:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury
is hereby directed in all payments hereafter made
of interest on bonds and notes of the United
States, and in purchase or payment OF one per
cent of the entire debt of the United States for
the sinking fund as now required by law, to pay
out gold and silver coin as nearly as possible in
same proportion on which gold coin and certif-
Gates and silver coin and certificates were receiy-
ed during the preceding fiscal year for duties on
imported goods. Referred to the finance commit
tee.
Mr.. Pugh resumed his remarks On the Beck sill
yer resolution and said the London press had
Joined the money kings of our Eastern States ill
demanding of Congress the suspension Of silver
coinage. Mr.. Pugh expressed Willingness TO
support any change in the existing law that would
withdraw any paper currency under $40 or even
500 so to give the entire field for use OF small
bills or small change to silver and silver certifl-
cate.
Mr. Vance followed in the same strain.
On conclusion of Mr. Vance's remarks the SEN
ate went into executive session and at p M az
journed.
Mr. Springer of Illinois, from the committee Oil
claims, reported back resolution directing that
committee inquire into the expediency Of
passing general bills for the ascertainment Of
facts in all private measures by some judicial tri-
bunal before action by Congress. Placed on the
calendar.
Mr. Caldwell of Tennessee reported back with
out amendment the Hoar presidential succession
bill, and it was placed on the calendar. A minor
ity report will be filed.
The House at o'clock went into committee Of
the whole (Mr. Blount of Georgia in the chair);
for consideration of the Presidents message
Mr.. Reagan of Texas delivered a speech on the
silver question. He advocated double standard
of value and condemning the national banking
system and arguing in favor of applying portion
ofthe surplus in the treasury to the gradual pay
ment of the public debt. He earnestly combatted
the proposition to suspend the coinage of the sill
yer dollar maintaining that such course would
have the effect of making few more mlionares
and of adding largely to the army OF tramps and
paupers, He profoundly regretted that there
should be differences within the Democratic party
on this silver question. The Presidentin his mes
sage, and the Secretary OF the Treasury In his re-
port, had taken statesmenlike views on many
questions, but on this question he could not agree
with them. The Democratic party was now on
trial. The Republican party had been turned out
of power because it had abandoned the people on
all great questions such as the tariff, interstate
commerce and coinage of silver and had betrayed
its trust to the money power. The Democratic
party had come into power because It had resisted
and denounced this course, and now leading Dem
ocratS were found asking the Democratic party to
take upon this question the very position that had
led to the downfall OF the Republican party. II 1t
did this the Democrats ought all to join the Re
publican party, and the Democratic party ought
to cease to exist.
The House at 2.15 adjourned.