Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-14
IL FAILED TO PASS
The House Kills the Free Coin
age Act
ON A VERY DECISIVE VOTE
Ex-Speaksr Reed Makes Some Telling
Points Against the Unjust
Measure.

10 shelyed. Even the hottest friends OF
the base dollar now admit that there u
little or no hope for them during the
present session. But il 10 barely possl-
ble that the men that are pushing the
scheme will not wholly subside until
the day OF adjournment. There was q
large attendance of members, tor which
the energetic whips Of both sides de-
serve credit. But the lack OF
public interest in the ques.
tion was manifested by the small
number OF visitors in the galleries.
The fight began promptly as the clock
struck twelve and in moment it was
raging hot and fast. Mr.. Cstchings
rose at the first stroke; the speaker
recognized him and he sent TO the desk
rule providing for the immediate
consideration OF the silver bill. The
clerk read it, but before MIR. Catchings
could say q word, after moving the
adoption of the rule, Tom Reed sprang
up and moved to lay the motion on the
table. Mr.. Cstchings objected to be-
ing taken off the floor 10y any one and
the speaker upheld him.
Together Yet Divided.
He said he would vote for the prevl.
Gus question on the resolution, bat on
the final vote he would vote against 1t.
The democrats stood together for tariff
reform, home rule, states rights, but
they were divided on the silver ques.
ton. The republican party had
rendered protective tariff and force
bill as the issues OF the Campaign. Ii
should be y fair and square fight on
the great political issues. Silver was
not an issue as both parties were
divided upon 1t. Mr.. Catchings: 81
| now yield TO the gentleman from
Maine."
MIR. Rced-The gentleman from Mis-
sssippi would very greatly oblige me
by postponing his yielding in my be
half until some one has stated why
this resolution should pass. That j,
customary, to give the minority show
before the hour is entirely exhausted
Mr.. Catchiugs Do l understand
that the gentleman does not want tC
occupy the timer
Mr.. Resd-I do wish to make few
remarks.
He congratulated the democratic
party upon its attitude of repentance
(iaughter) At the time the gentlemen
were proclaiming how sorry they were
for the views they recently entertained
Picture of Democracy.
His mind was occupied by picture
OF the democratic party as minority
of this house in the last congress. Ht
remembered how fierce they then were
on the floor. He remembered the an
nouncement OF the distinguished gen
tleman VINO had since become the
speaker of the house, that once tbs
democratic party yearned for free sill
yer. [Laughter.l He remembered
that the distinguished gentleman who
on account of his many virtues, wa
made chairman of the committee or
ways and means and the leaders o.
/ TINS house announced that he, too, rep
resenting the democratic party, was IL
favor of the free coinage OF silver
which caused applause on tn,
democratic side. He remembered
hew cheer after cheer followed
this earnest and vigorous speech
on this question. For moment i
actually seemed to him that the demo
| cratic party had struck a level which
might nave been called level OF prin-
ciple." Applause followed, durinJ
which Mr.. Reed stood immovable, II i
| eyes transtixeo on the galleries.)
"The gentleman from Tennessee
Mr.. Patterson, had cleared all tha
matter up. lie had elected the rea
principle tor which the democrati,
party contended, but he had somewha
embellished the principle to make ,
| quotation.
| Great Democratic Principis.
He said that the great principl
| which underlies the democratic part,
is power OF office. Applause. Tn
| republican party opposed any plai
which would inlure the business of tn
| people. IL was not complaining, h
said, that the democratic party did no
have the courage OF its bad principles
| The democratic party catered to Tn,
lack of knowledge of the people 10 vii
Offices and votes. The was glad fo
that redeemIng principle which make
some of the rtcalcitrsnts. He did no
| criticize the voices IN which the repuh
lican sinners announced their return
home. This remark completely upse
the gravity OF the mouse ant
roars of laughter foiIowed.l SIR
Reen continuing said there wer,
different classes Of men who we're II
favor of free coinage. There were mel
in the west who were honestly con
trolled by their interests and VINO di'
not see the damage they would do 4
| AZ 81 kx.
themselves With such men he had
| reasonable degree of sympathy, 20
they were the pioneers of civilization
broadening the paths of this grea
country, and what he could do fo
them consistent with the ssfety of Oh
country he would gladly do, but h
could not do this thing. But ther
we're men on this floor who had no ide
that this thing was right and bonestl
believed for the good of the country
The republican party was not estab
lisfed for the purpose of pfocurn
Offices. Jeers on the democratic side.
IL stood Tor principles and today the
we're enabling by its action dems
cratic house 10 do a better service fo
ourselves than q republican senAt
could do for us. Applsuse.
Ffeve.'s speech.
| Mr. Pierce, dsnaocrss. Tennessee, 10
lowed with Q speech ~ support OF %
res.Stutson. He ssid that he wonl
east hls vote ia secofssnce with hls &C
ton hefefofcre. The silver bsll VAS !
strict accordance with The doctfines @
the democratic party. les leaders hav
sad thst q vas IN favor Of tree slivel
ite esnsufed his e0ilsseues, Mr.. car
/ of tIsfafas and Mr. patt@fsnn af Ter