Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-06-07
SILVER DEBATE
Mr. LIND, OF MINNESOTA, UNWINDS At
SOME LENGTH.
Mr.. Flower, ofNew York, Flies OF From the
Topic Under Discussion Walker, Of MaSSa-
ehussits Speaks Against Free Coinage
Arguments Pro and Con.

/ WASHINGTON, ID. c.. June 6.-The
silver debate was resumed this morning,
Mr.. Lind, of Minnesota, being the first
speaker. lie 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
| products. He believed that prices were
affected by the amount of money in cir
culation. The increase of circulation
advanced prices and Shrinkagc OF circu-
latiOn diminished them. The increase
in the purchasing value of gold
was due 10 the fact that its
production was decreasing while its
use in arts was increasing If silver
had been allowed To retain its place as
money throughout the world it would
Silver should be restored To its former
position. This was demanded by the
grcas mass of the people. 1t was no
argument to say that the people did not
understand the question. They did.
The people could think and reason as
well aS Il member of Congress. The
judgment of the popular mind, like wO-
mems reasoning, was generally right,
Commenting on the three measures be-
fore the House, he said,
THE TREASURY BILL
was the most Objectionable. Under
friendly Secretary it might be made
useful in increasing the volume Of cur
rency, but under an unfriendly Sccrc-
tary il might be- dangerous. Personally
/ ne believed that the free coinage bill
presented not only the best, but the
quickest way To settle the whole queS-
| tiOn. But he believed that it was best
To yield something even to prejudice if
by 50 doing legislation almost equally
efficaciouS aud less Objectionable TO some
/ classes could be secured. Such a meas
ure was the Republican tariff bill.
Mr.. Flower, of New York, confined
/ his remarks not to the silver question,
| but To = constitutional amendment rcle-
eating TO the people within prescribed
| localities the choice of such adminiStra-
/ tive 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.
Mr.. Lacey, of Iowa said it was free
coinage measure, because it provided
that when silver was at par the
NuNrS SHOULD HE OPEN
open to free coinage. The country
needed an expansion Of ths currency in
a safe way and this bill provided for it.
Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts,, spoke
against free coinage. He said that
more money meant more misery.
| Laughter.
Mr.. Perkins. OF KanSaS-We all love
misery. Laughter.
In the course of his walkers argu-
ment 20 show that there was sufficient
gold i'm the world to supply the money
demand. he was frequently interrupted
by Mr.. PaySon, of Illinois, Mr.. Heard,
of Missouri. and other. The energy OF
his replies. taken in connection with the
heat of the day. was too much for Mr..
Walker. and To the mcrrimcnt OF the
House. he dotfcd his coat and proceeded
with his speech in his shirt sleeves.
Mr.. BlOunt. of Georgia, contendcd
that silver dcmOnetization had cast d
Iblighting curse over everybody except
the capitalist. He criticized the Treas
ury bill. declaring that it was intended
10 stop the further coinage of the silver
dollar. 1t relegated silver to the SAINT
place as any other commodity. 1t was
a Wall street meaSure-a scheme Of the
Old Masses, enemy of the people. Tie
also criticised the Caucus bill, and ad
vOcated a free coinage measure.
Mr.. Bland, of MISSOURI, inquired
whether il was in order for him to Otfel
an amendment. The Speaker replied
that 10 was not.
Mr.. Bland said that he could only pro
test against the debate of the right OF
La anumber of the minority to offer al
amendment. He (Bland) had been
ASSURED BY THE CHAIRMAN
that he would be allowed to offer fre,
coinage substitute. He did not want tC
charge any gentleman with acting in
bad faith. but the gag law had been
placed ON the minority.
The bill was Wall street scheme,
and a gold bug scheme to change the
ratio between gold and silver. 1t rccog
lnized silver bullion according TO its gold
value. Itwould tempt the Secretary OF
the Treasury 10 make millions in Wal
street, aud no man should be tempted
with millions.
Mr. McRae, OF Arkansas, appealed t1
the gentlemen on the other side who be-
lieved in free coinage to restore silver
to its proper place, not step by step, but
as it was deStroyed-in one jump.
The House Mt five o'clock took re-