The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-22
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

What the Republican silver Plank Means
-.originat Package" Lexis,atRn-
WssHEyeroS CIrY. Nav 2l--In the Sem
ate the resignation OF Sergeant-af-Arms
Canadsy WAS received and laid on the
table.
The Silver bill was taken up. and Stewart
proceeded TO address the Senate. He
argued that the demonefixation OF silver
had depressed the prices OF commodities
from 80 to 10 per cent. and remonefizasion
would produce good times sgain. The OBJ
lect OF the silver men was to furnish more
money. to stop contraction. to relieve the
debtor and producer. and preserve to the
people their rights of property and liberty.
The Republican party had incorporated in
its national platform declaration in favor
OF both gold and silver. and condemning
the policy of the Democratic adminis,ra-.
tion In its effort 10 demonetixe silver. The
bill recommended by the secretary of the
treasury. and supported by Senators Sher-
man and Doiph, was cunning device TO
stop the present coming Of s.. 900 a
month in silver under the Bland bill. In
conclusion he said there was no middle
ground In the contest between the usur er
and Justice. The demonstration of silver
was crime against civilization. and moth
ing but the full restoration OF that metal TO
the place which il occupied before the
crime was committed could redress the
wrong or redeem the pledges of the Re-
pnh.ican party.
Eustis asked Stewart whether his inter-
pretation OF the silver plank in the Repub-
Hcan platform-that il meant free coinage
OF silver-was the recognized interprets-
ton Of the party.
Stewart replied that it could have no
other Interpretation. and added that he
himself had drawn that plank.
Farwell-I was Q member Of the committee
on resolutions Of the last national Republican
convention. and desire to express my dissent
to the opinion given by the senator from Ne
vada No such interpretation was considered
by that committee
Stewart-what does il mean,
Farweil-Thar the party was in favor Of silver
money IT the market price Of silver drew the
resolution. Is the senator well knows, and IL was
perfectly honest and fair. II meant that the
government should buy silver and coin il q the
rate at which it should cost the government
stewart That is . mere Quibhle
Wilson of Iowa gave notice of an amend
ment providing that treasury notes to b
issued for silver shall be legal tender for al
private debts within the United States.
Farweil also gave notice Of IN amend
ment providing that certificates shall Be
receivable for customs, taxes and public
debts, and Be legal tender for all public
and private debts.
Thc silver bill was then laid aside and
the bill IN relation 70 liquor imported into.
prohibition states was again taken up.
Eyarts argued in support OF it. and Ia
answer TO the constitutional objections
urged against lit asserted that whatever
regulations are exercised within q state
they are outside Of the jurisdiction OF the
general government. The police reguia-
tions of . state could not be bombarded
from the outside under cover OF the ex-
elusive power of congress over commerce.
Hiscock opposed the bill.
The bill was laid aside without action,
and after an executive session the Senate
adjourned.