Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-11
MERE CLAPTRAP.
The Silver Plank in the Re-
publican Platform.
Senator Teller Tells Some Har-
rowing Tales.
He Goes For John Sherman Et AL.
With a Sharp Stick.
The Bi-Metallic Principles Worst En-
emy-Its Most Effective Foe-In the
Treasury Department.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, June 10.-In the senate
today, among the petitions presented
and referred was one from the New
Orleans chamber of commerce, asking
an appropriation of 100000 for the
establishment of steamship line be-
tween New Orleans and the west coast
of Africa.
The house silver bill was referred to
the finance committee.
Blair introduced (by request) bill to
prohibit the sale of Intoxicating liquors
on the grounds of expositions for which
appropriations are expended by the
United States. Referred.
The Silver Bill Taken Up.
The silver bill was then taken up and
unanimous consent was given, by re-
quest of Jones, of Nevada, that after
O'Clock on Friday next the debate shall
be limited to five minutes by any sena-
tor on any question.
The question when the bill was taken
up today was on Plumb's amendment
that no funds available for the payment
of the public debt, including such as are
kept for the redemption of United
States notes, shall be retained in the
treasury in excess of $780, 100000.
On motion of Harris this amendment
was amended by adding the words
Provided that the gold and silver coin
and gold and silver bullion in the treas
ury, on which gold and silver certifi-
Gates have been issued, shall not be con-
sidered available for any purpose, except
for the redemption of such certificates"
sherman's Opposition.
Sherman expressed opposition to
Plumb's amendment, as the effect of it
would be, really, to leave only work
ing balance of $1O,O0O,OOO in the treas
ury; besides, he thought the silver
question important enough to be con-
sidered by itself, without Juggling in
other complications as to balances in the
treasury and such matters. Sometimes
on quarter days the secretary had to pay
$4,000, 900, and sometimes he had to
pay $40, 900, 900 day for pensions.
Reagan was of the opinion that re-
serve of $50000,00O would be all suffi-
cient, and he intended to offer an
amendment carrying out that idea. He
thought the policy ofpunishing the peo-
pie for the benefit of the monometalists
and the contractionists had been carried
on long enough. The retention of that
1OO,OO0,0 900 of gold had already cost the
government SAC, 100000 interest.
Teller's Tale of Woe.
Teller said it had cost SAC 900 ,OOO He
went on to question and deny the ac-
curacy of some of the statements in
Sherman's last speech on the bill. One
of his points was that the gold dollar
had always been the unit of value.
THAT is not true," said Teller,
whether it comes from an ex-secretary
of the treasury or anybody else."
Another point in Sherman's speech
which Teller disputed and denied, was
that the increase of circulation had kept
pace with the increase of the popula-
ton. Teller argued that it would re-
quire an annual increase of $44, 900, 900
OF currency to meet the annual increase
in population. AS to the statement of
Sherman and others that the supporters
OF the bill wanted cheap dollar, Teller
said 1T was species of demagoguery
which was disgrace to the senate.
They wanted the honest dollar restored
the dollar that had been stricken down
without the will of the people and with
out their knowledge. The man who
stood before the senate arguing for
single standard, was either dishonest or
ignorant, and had no right to represent
the interests of the American people.
At the Door of the Administration.
Teller went on to speak of the silver
plank in the Republican national plat
form, and said if he had supposed it was
mere claptrap the Republican ticket
would not have had such support from
him, and would not have got the great
majority it did in Colorado. He said
the bi-metallic principle had had it's
worst enemy-its most effective foe-in
the treasury department. 1t had been
within the power of the administration
to relieve the people, so that what the
people suffered was 'at the door of the
administration. But there was no
feeling favorable to bi-metalism in high
places, and would not be while Wall
street could influence political parties.
Each party had been met by the dec
laration that congress must legis-
late so as to gain the good will
country. That meant Wall street.
He remembered case of a president
(Cleveland) addressing crowd of people
in Wall street, and saying he saw before
him the representatives of the great in
terests of the country, but the fact was,
Teller said, that he did not see before
him a single man who had ever done an
honest days work, ever produced an
article of commerce or ever promoted
the industrial pursuits of the country.
In conclusion, Teller declared that no
matter where the Republican party or
himself should be left, his vote should
be given for that measure which would
unloose the burden put upon the debtors
of the country, and to do it without
detriment to the creditors.
Call spoke in favor of free coinage, and
then the silver bill went over till to-
morrow.
After the executive session, the senate
adjourned.