Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-20
THE FlFrx-FrRsr CONGRESS-.


 The Silver BiIl In she senate-An Ad-
 dress by MT. Dolph-The Oregon Sen-
 ator Thinks International Bf-Metal-
 lism is sDesirable-The Tari6 Measure
 In she House.
 WASHINGTON. D. O., May 19.-The silver bill was take up at 12:40 and MT. Dolph ad- dressed the senate. He stated that he was not in accord with some of his colleagues from the west. He thought that international bi-metallism was desirable. So far as he knew there was not member of the senate as money, and who. was not in favor or any measure that would, while securing sound and good circulation, enhance the price of silver bullion. In considering the various plans proposed he was satisfied that the plan proposed by the secretary of the treasury was open to less and fewer objections than any of the others if the purpose was to keep both gold aud silver coin in circulation. He argued against the free coinage of silver as something that would stop the coinage of gold because no man would take to the mint to be coined metal that was worth 100 cents on the dollar if they could do as we'll with metal that was worth only o6 cents on the dollar.
 MT. Teller asked him where silver bullion could be got at such low price.
 Mr. Dolph replied that if legislation was to advance the price of silver permanently silver would flow in from all over the world but the free coinage of silver would not in- crease the price of silver. The 500 millions of gold now in circulation would either go abroad to pay the trade balances or pay for silver bullion or would to ovvifH HHrou, fr,v osu 1nR3N led This disappearance of gold would be more rapid than the accumulation of silver and the contraction would cause violent agi- tation. What he had said in regard to the free coinage of silver did not of course apply to free coinage under an international agree. ment establishing ratio between gold and silver. There had never been an hour when the United States government had not favor- ed bi-metallism. But national bi.metallism was impraetioable, and the only way to secure both metals ss coins was to have an international agreement with the prici- pal countries of Europe for the establishment of such an international ratio as would secure the free coinage of both metals in the hints of those countries and of the United States. But it was not possible for the United States alone to control by legislation the relative value of gold and silver. There was no middle ground for the United States to stand upon fin the remoneti- zation of silver. It was either to remain with the countries that had gold standard or join with those that had 8 silver standard.
 At the close of MT. Dolph's speech MT. Teller criticised some points of 1t and said that it would not do for that senator or any other senator to say with unction that he was for the double standard or for silver and then favor measures which were absolutely destructive of silver as money.
 HOUSE.
 Debate on the tariff bill was resumed to- day. Several unimportant amendments were offered and rejected. The following amendments were agreed to on motion of Mr. Mckinley:
 Providing that the internal taxes on smok- ing and manufactured tobacco and snuff shall be four cents pound after the 1st of October, 1890, or within sixty days from the approval of this act (instead of January 1, 1891, as proposed by the bilD.
 Making an indefinite appropriation for the payment ot drawbacks.
 Reducing the bond of cigar manufacturers
 Admitting to 8 minimum of $5 the amount of drawback claims on tobacco in original packages, when the law takes effect.
 MT. Henderson of Iowa spoke in favor of restoring the present internal tax on tobacco and offered an amendment to that effect.
 MT. IuckoE oI virginia oHtTeu huu duVo- cated an amendment abolishiDg the tax on tobacco.
 Mir. Dunnell of Minnesota regretted that the committee instead of not further reduc- ing the tax on necessities of life had reduced the tax on tobacco. The use of tobacco should be discouraged.
 MT. Cowles of North Carolina agreed in favor of the abolition of the tax on tobacco and in general opposition to the bill.
 MT. Kerr of Iowa favored the repeal of the tobacco tax.
 Mir. Mckinley, in opposing MT. Fuckers amendment, said that the committee on ways and means had not entirely abolished the tax on tobacco; first. because the coun. try needs the money, and, second, because 1t was not necessary to abolish it to preserve intact the great protective system of the re- publican party. EApplaase.l MT. Fuckers amendment was rejected-62 to 11S.
 Mir. Henderson's amendment was rejected by 36 to 118.
 Mir. Henderson of Iowa offered an amend ment restoring the present duty on wool and woolen. Pending a vote the committee and the house at 5:45 adjourned.