Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-22
DENOMINATION OF COIN
VAN WYCK JOINS THE CHORUS
OF THE sILVERITES.


4 Bin to Prevcnt the Inusionary Appa-,
riti0n Introduced by the Senator from
Nebras<a-The Course or the National
Banks In the silver Fight Severely
Criticised.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 2l.--In the Senat8
to-day bill was introduced by Mr.. Van,
Wyck to prevent the decentralization oe
American coiu by certain persons in ths
United States. In introducing this bin
Mr.. Van Wyck said that the Senator from
Vermont (Mr. Morrllll yesterday res
marked that no parties in the Senate on
out Of 1t were seeking to demonetizs
silver but even now, Mr.. Van Wyck
continued, even now, and for sometime,
there had been a determination or cons
spiracy on the part Of capital to demone-
TIE silver and violate the laws and COM
sttution. Some years ago the national
banks in New York made an attempt to-
dehonetize 1t by ostracizing silver, but as
they We're the immediate creatures of the
law, they had shrewdly calculated the
hazard OF the venture.
A NEW WEDGE.
Now the wedge was to be entered i'm
different shape. Capital was arrayips
itself against the laws and the almost
universal sentiment and prosperity Of the
people. 1t was bold and deliberate
"strike," done with malice aforethought.
against the interests of the masses and OF
labor. Severe penalties had been pro.
vided against those who debased our
coin. Why should not adequate punish-
ment bo provided for those who were
seeking not merely its debasement. but
It's complete overthrow Capital, by its
eNtraVagant and illegal demands. was
arousing storm that 10 prOfessed to de-
ride, and when il succeeded, as il surely
would, IN forcing "a stern and active prO-
test, 1t would then appeal for protection
TO the government. whose laws 10 had set
at defiance. The bill, at Mr.. Van Wyck's
request, was laid on the table for the
present
TEXT OF THE BILL.
The following is the text of the bill:
SECTION ]. ANY promissory note, check.
dfait, bill OF exchange, or any contract or
agreement requiring payment OF money which,
stpulates and requires payment thereof to ba
IN gold coin alone, shall be void and Of no
SEC. 2. In any prosecution on any such note,
check, draft, bill Of exchange, or any other
contract or agreement requiring payment ni
gold coin In any territory OF the United States
coste charged against the plaintiff, the court
shall also allow 10 per cent. of the amount To
Dp tuiGiNil III Judgment lDf tliD deIenuA0b az
part of the costs to be paid by the plaigtiG.
sec 3. Any person or agent or attorney
oi any person who shall demand or receive
| any such note. draft bill Of exchange or other
| contract or agreement requiring payment %
| money IN gold alone shall be guilty OF a miss
| demeanOr, ana punished bT fine OF not less
| than one-half or more than the full amOunp
| mentioned in such promssOry note, draft orl
| Dill or exchange or contract of agreement.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES STAND.
There can be little doubt that the House.
Committee on Coinage will report bilT
suspending the coinage OF the standard
silver dollar. 1t will probably provide
for suspension for definite perlOd-say
two or three years-but the silver men
in the House insist that no such bill can
be passed in the present House. Thew
claim majority OF from 70 to 100 against
any such measure. They claim that they
have gained votes ever since the discuss
sion of the silver question began in Com
gress They certainly have majority In
the House now, but it is not so large az
they think it is. Their majority is made
up in the proportion Of three-ffths Demo-
Gratis TO twO-ffths Republicans. Some
Of the silver men on both sides are talk
ing quite tartly about the administra-
tiOn's attitude towards silver. Some od
them 20 so far as TO charge that its coursei
has been unlawful, and warrants the inn
peachment Of some OF the subOrdinate
officials.