The morning call., 1890-06-08
THE HOUSE.
Congers Caucus Silver Bill Passed After a
Warm Debate

Congers' Caucus Silver Bill Passed After a
Warm Debate.
WASHINGTON, June This morning. before
the beginning of the debate on the Silver Bill
at the request OF Payson of Illinois, Conger OF
Iowa, who had charge of the bill, modified his
substitute so as to provide that Treasury notes
issued In pursuance Of the bill shall be legal
tender in payment OF all debis. public and pri-
vate, striking out the following words: Except
WHERE otherwise expressly stipulated in the con-
tract"
Payson said he realized that the substitute
would liz substance pass this body ard it would
be done in obedience to public sentiment which
he believed to be universal in favor OF larger
use OF silver as money metal, aud OF the fur
ther increase OF the currency OF the country
II The Government used silver at all 1t should
be used as a money metal and not as commod-
lily. He was o posed 10 the substitute because
of that, but he expected to give it his support in
this contingency. He hoped an opportunity
would he given TO strike out the bullion redeinp-
tiOn feature. This bill was bound TO be consd-
cred at the Other end of the Capitol, and 1t
would be amended there. Nine hundred and
ninety nine out of every thousand Of his con-
stltueuts opposed The bill, aud he said in the
presence Of the House and The country that 500
caucuses would not make him misrepresent the
people he represented. lApplause.l
fayson then proceeded 10 criticize the silver
policy OF the Hayes, Arthur, Cleveland and Har-
rlson administrations. de referred TO the denun.
citation OF the Cleveland administration by the
Republican party. He said he ndOrsed that de-
nuneiation all over Illinois. Nothing, he said,
afforded him more pleasure than the denuncia-
lion of th- Cleveland administration for its treat
nent of silver.
He came down to the Republican ndmInistra-
tion, which was no better. lAppause.l Silver
had no friend in the Treasury Department since
tie agitation began and then lie was asked TO
voc for proposition c0nnding 10 the
Secretary OF the Tressurys discretion in
this were Tie end Of 1t he would vote
against 1t. Never mad discretion been contded
10 The Secretary OF this country, were IL possible
TO evade 1t, that it had not been evaded. Discre-
tOn vested in The Secretary of the Treasury had
been unfairly used for the past six months, let
alone seven or eight years. no such legislation as
this would be under discussion to-day. lAp-
plause.l Treasury officials were friends OF gold
and gold alone. Instead of being bill for the
c0lDageof silver. IL was Il measure which pracII.
cay. prohibited the coinage OF The standard sill
yer dollar.
Payson was followed by MItchler of Pennsyl.
vania and Hatch Of Missouri In opposition to the
Hatch said If the gentlemen on the other side,
who on The floor declared themselves III favor OF
Tree aud unlimited coinage, would throw oil the
caucus sbackles, before the sun went down to-
day silver would be restored to perfect equality
with gold.
Bartlne of Nevada declared himself fat.
footed free coinage man.
Cannon said lie would vote Tor the substitute
because lie believed at the present time aud un-
der the present conditions IL was The best bill that
could be procured. While he did not apprehend
the bill was perfect, his judgment was that taken
caud originate and pass, from every standpoint,
and all things considered II met his unqualified
a:.nroval and Endorsement. standing as he did
bet' "en an extreme silver man on one hand anu
gold h s,opolist ON the other.
Anderi $SlaYoTed Tree coinage.
Perkins OF NJ Massachusetts said the bill did not
meet with his approval, but lie would vote for 1t
because lie knew that In another form II would
be amended
Funston and Connell favored free cOluape
measure.
Dlngey supported the bill.
Brewer OF Michigan and Sweeney of Iowa
spoke for the bill.
Grosvernor OF Ohio characterized as fraudu-
lent the pret nse of the Democratic party that 1t
had ever favored The free and unimited coinage
oil silver. Ii had been the huitle-cock OF a
Democratic dlshonOrabe method Of politics.
Mckinley said tile bill would utilize every dol
lar OF the silver product OF the United States. 1t
provided also that the instant silver was a
parity with gold, that very Instant there would
be free aud unlimited coinage Of silver.
Congress must see that The money pro-
vided Tor the people must be absolutely safe
from financial wrecks anu commercial couvul-
sl0ns and be absolutely safe and secure. This
bill gave the country money that was good for
the people and would be good for all time. Vote
down this measure, and the gentlemen knew
there would be no legislation on the subject
The Democrats knew that they could not get
Tree coiilage when they were In tho majority, and
they knew they could not get II now. and 10 de-
feat tins bill was to defeaI all silver legislation.
The hour OF O'clock having arrived, the pre-
yiOus-queston consideration was ordered.
Amendments TO the original bill were offered
by Taylor OF Illinois and o. 'Donnell OF Michigan
and we've infOrMaly adopted.
McComas' amendment To the substitute was
also adopted. Ii provides that when free coin
age is attained the monthly bullion purchase
shall cease
Tie substitute as amended was then agreed to-
and the question REQUIRED upon the agreement
to the bill as amended by The substitute
Blaud moved to recOmmit the bill with instruc-
tons 10 the committee to report free coinage
bill not later than Tuesday next.
Dingley made a point OF order against the lat
ter portions of the instructions, which was sus-
tained and Bland modified the motion so as TO
omit The provisions for report by specified
dare.
This was defeated-ayes lie. noes lao.
On the moil0n 10 recommlt fifteen Republicans
voted aye with Il e Democrats as follows: Allen
OF Michigan, Anderson Of Kansas Bartine OF
Nevada Carter OF Montana, Connel of Nebraska