The advocate., 1890-08-13

"feelers" among the leaders Of the two
great political parties. In response the
republican party passed the above quoted
resolution. The democratic party were
far more ouspoken. They said they ia.
vored:
The payment OF the public debt Of the United
States as fast as practicable all money drawn
from the people by taxation, except 80 much as
IN requisite for the necessities Of the government
economically administered, being honestly mp
applied 10 such payments and where the 0bligil'
tlOns Of the government do not expressly state
upon their face or the law under which they
were issued does not provide that they should be
paid I'm coin, they ought In right and Justice tO Dc
paid In the lawful money OF tho United states
That both OF these platforms we're con
strued TO mean that the bonds (ive.
twenties) we're payable In lawful money
(greenbacks) is proved by the speeches OF
some Of the ablest men OF the democratic
and republican parties
Thad. Stevens said
When the bill (the nve.twenty) was on lts final
passage the question WAS explicitly asked OF the
chairman OF the ways and means COlnmittee, and
rs explicitly answered by him, that only the ln-
teregt was payable IN coin.
/ want 10 say N the loan ('lve-twenty) was tO bo
paid according 20 the Intention OF the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Ross, II knew that any party
In this country would 20 for paying In coin that
which II payable In money thus enhancing 10
One-half-if knew there was such u platform
and such determination ths day on the part Of
any party would vote for the other side, Frank
Blair and all. / would vote for no such sWlndle
on the tax payers Of this country. / would vote
tor no such speculation IN favor OF the large
hOndhOlders, The nllllOnalTes who took adVan-
mge OF our folly I'm granting them coin payment
In Interest. And deCare-wcll, itl hard 10 say
lt-but N even Frank Blair stood upon the plat
form paying the bonds according tO contract, and
the republican candidate stood upon the platform
OF paying hlOated spectators twice the amount
which we agreed tO pay them, then would vote
for Frank Blair, even n worse man than Sey-
mOur headed the ticket / understand the gen
tleman from Illinois, Mr.. Ross, who Just spoke
on the subject tO say that he understood that
the outstanding bonds should be paid according
30 che principles OF the New York platform dem
Ocratlc). What Is that platform?
Mr.. Ross:
To pay the flye-twentlcs In lawful money
Mr.. Stevens:
What do you mean by lawful money!
Mr.. Ross:
Greenbacks, that IL your doctrine and mine.
Mr.. Stevens;
hold 10 the platform Of Chicago (republICan)
and rs understand II, the New York platform,
too, upon these bonds that these bonds shall be
paid Just according Ia the original contract.
Mr.. Pike:
According to the letter and spirit OF the con
tract.
Mr.. Farnsworth:
According 10 the contract.
Mr.. Stevens:
What was that law? That bonds OF certain
amount should bear per cent interest I'm gold
Now, up 10 the time they fall due we must pay
them faithfully. After they fall due they are
payable In money, Just ~ the gentlemen under
stood money, Just rs | understand it Just ny we
All understood II when we passed the law author
izing chat loan, Just aS II was dozen times eX.
plalned upon The floor by the chairman Of the
committee Of ways and means when called upon
10 explain by gentlemen what Is meant, and Just
as the whole House agreed that Is meant
This running debate took place in the
House on the 18th Of July, 1868, and in
explanation Of the meaning Of the two
platforms, Mr.. Stevens used the strong
language above quoted.
In relation 10 the same subject Ben.