The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1891-01-07
IN THE SENATE.
Teller Makes Strong Appeal For Free
Coinage.


Coinage.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Reconsideration OF
the financial bill was resumed in the SEN
ate and Teller addressed the senate in re-
gard TO il. For weeks, he said, bill has
been pending before the senate, the inn
portance of which he did not underrate
and the benevolent purpose OF which he
did not question. Yesterday, with full
knowledge of all criticism his action
would bring. with full consciousness,
however, that he was in the discharge OF
his duty as he saw II, he had voted 10 lay
that bill aside and take up the present
measure. lie said there was never more
unfounded statement than that an alleged
combination existed between free coinage
statesmen. advocates and opponents OF
the election bill. He then began a criti-
cism of Sherman's financial speech OF
yesterday, saying il was a remarkably
misleading distortion OF the facts. Gold
is not our standard. We have a dual
unit here as in France.
Teller proceeded 10 criticize Sherman's
speech, which he declared consisted OF
nothing but assertion as TO what would
follow the passage Of the pending bill.
The senator from Ohio had declared the
country was oh gold basis. The sena-
tor had attempted to put the country on
that basis, but had been unable TO do so,
The senator hada wonderful facility Of be.
ing on all sidesof all financial questions,
Referring TO the condition Of the Ameri-
can farmers, and showing IL 10 be less
prosperous than that OF the farmers OF
France, Teller said the farmers OF Amer
lea had made themselves heard last No
vember-to his regret and the regret OF
the senators on his side of the chamber
They had been found voting, and almost
unanimously, with the democratic party.
They had not changed their politics, but
they had been dissatifled with republican
management OF financial affairs, and for
one he did not wonder az il. He bad tried
last year to have the senate listen TO
their voice. He knew they wanted free
coinage of silver.
Proceeding to discuss the section OF the
bill providing for the purchase Of twelve
millions Of silver. Teller said ho washed
his hands OF any responsibility for that
He had no interest or sympathy with the
men who speculated in silver. lie denied
any knowledge Of the alleged silver pool.
The pending bill was not brought forward
in the interest Of the silver states. III the
twelve millions Of silver were in the
hands of the miners of Colo
RADIO there would not have been
any anxiety 10 buy il up; but
il was in the hands Of political circles IN
New York-and that was the reason why
there was SO much anxiety about IL in
certain quarters. He said the proposition
had come from New York, and not from
the silver states. They were indifferent
about il, and they were Indifferent to the
price Of silver. As u single question they
had some interest, Of course, In putting
up the price Of gold or any other CON.
modify which they produced. But their
great interest in the question was that
silver should be used as money.
He opposed the fourth section Of the
bill which provides for the issue Of s2D,-
1900 of two per cent bonds. II was,
Teller asserted. in the interests Of two
classes only the silver spectators Of
New York and the bankers Of the coun
try. II absolutely ignored the people OF
the United States and their demands for
more money. He alluded to the silver
laws Of last session as a mere makeshift,
and said there was but one sure method,
I aud that was free coinage OF silver.
Sherman said he would al some future
| time reply TO some Of Teller's obserya.
tons. But he did not care to do so now.
! Morrill, then addressed the senate. In
view Of the late financial panic in New
/ York aud Of the rather popular demand
/ for some Increase of the currency, he had
/ been willing to stretch point OF order 10
keep step with the senators from Colorado
and Nevada. But the appetite grew by
what il fed upon. II had been enough ia
assent, without whimper, 10 the pur.
chase Of Sl2Oo.OO worth Of FOR.
eien silver, supposed to be- In
the hands Of spectators, NOT
10 assent to provision for