Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-06
HOUSE.

The silver debate was resumed this morning
MIR. Lind (Alinn.) being the first speaker He
represented, he said, an agricultural district.
the farmers OF which were not poor but not
wholly prosperous. The depressed condition
was due to the low prices of agricultural pro-
ducts. He believed that prices were affected
Dy the amount OF money in circulation.
commenting on the three measures before
the House, he said that the Treasury bill was
the most Objectionable. Under a friendly
Secretary 1t might be made useful in increas-
ing the volume of the currency, but under an
unfriendly Secretary it might be dangerous
Personally, he believed that the free coinage
bill presented not only the best but the quick
est way to settle the question. But he be-
neved that II was best to yield something even
to prejudice. If by SO doing legislation almost
equally eficacious and less Objectionable to
some classes could be secured. Such a meas
ure was the republican caucus bill
Mr.. FLOWER TALKS OF SOMETHING ELSE.
Mr.. Flower On. Y.) confined his remarks not
to the silver question, but to a constitutional
amendment relegating to the people, within
prescribed localities, the choice Of such admin
istrative officials whose functions of Office lie
entirely within the prescribed area and whose
choice is OF consequence only to the people
whom they Immediately serve.
Il advocate" he said. "a change in the Con-
stitution required BY the altered conditions
under which our government and our people
now exist-a change that would be in perfect
accord with the broad democratic principles
which underlie that instrument. for it will serve
to strengthen the government by bringing it
back, as the trainers intended il should
always remain nearer to the people
The present system has too much
that attribute of monarchy which
centers in the power of one man the appoint
ment of thousands, which makes officers posi-
hn nd For
genders lack of responsibility on the par: of
public officials and consumes too much of the
time of executive and legislative officials in
securing appointments which should be given
to the consideration of affairs of state
TO OFFSET THE CONTRACTION
Mr. Lacey Qowa) said that the country was
met with a contraction of the currency. The
banks were calling in circulation Il might be
that figures would show as much money in the
United States per capita as there ever had
been, but there was an absolute shortage of
funds. The pending bill proposed to give the
country an increase to offset the contraction
and even more. 1t was practically a free coin
age bill.
MIR. WALKER SAYS 1T is NOT so.
Mr.. Walker Mass referred to the argument
that there was business depression because of
low prices. There was not word of truth in
It, There was not a solitary fact that justified
the statements made In favor of free coinage;
not one. Ii was said that the
farmers were oppressed, and there were men
on the floor who enjoyed burning corn"
when the fact was that there never was a day
since the sun shone on the earth when farmer
could pay off debt on his farm with as few
days work as he could today
lie asserted that the demonetization of sill
yer was not the cause of a decrease of prices.
Prices had been going down for a hundred
years. The demonetization of silver had not
had the slightest appreciable effect on the de-
probation OF prices. More money meant
more misery. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Perkins Kan We all love misery
Laughter.
MR. WALKER TAKES HIS COAT OFF.
In the course of an argument to show that
there was sufficient gold in the world to supply
the money demand MIR. Walker was frequently
interrupted by Mr.. Payson Ill), Mr.. Heard
(Mo) and others. The energy of his replies,
taken i'll connection with the heat of the day.
was too much for Mr.. Walker. and, much to the
merriment of the House, he doffed his coat and
proceeded with his speech in his shirt sleeves
In conclusion. he argued that with improved
machinery all products had gone down in price
more than farm productions.
MIR. BLoUNT on SILVER DEMoNETIzATIoN
Mr.. Blount (Ga.) contended that silver de-
monetization had cast blighting curse over
everybody except the capitalist This curse
was somewhat removed by the act
of 1878, and the business of the
country began to grow more prosperous
The present contraction of the currency was
due to the demOnetization act of 1873 To in
crease the volume of circulation was the only
way to relieve not only the agricultural inter-
est, but every jothor interest in the country.
tR. BINND's PROTEST.
Mr.. Bland (%o~>>hquired whether it was in
order for him fo>offer an amendment.
The Speaker replied that it was not
Mr.. Bland said that he could only pro-
test against the denial of the right OF a
member of the minority to offer an
amendment. He, as member of the COM
mitteeIon coinage. weights and measures. had
asked whether be would be allowed to offer a
free coinage substitute. The chairman had re-
piled that it would be SO arranged. He did not
want to charge any gentlemen of acting in
bad faith; but he did charge that
there had been neglect in carrying out the
promises Of the committee. The gag law had
been placed upon the minority. Why had thi.
been done? 1t was for the purpose of passing
bill through the House the effect of which
was to demonetize silver. That was the object
of it.
PENSIONS FOR DISTRICT PEoPLE.-Pensions
have been granted to residents of the District
Of Columbia follows: Original invalid, Her