The Portland daily press., 1892-06-02

| OepOSltoFss
| WASHINGTON, June 1.-The Senate
| joint resolution authorizing and direct
ing the President to proclaim a general
holiday commemorating the 4O0th an
niversary of the discovery of America,
on the 18th of October, 1892, was taken
from the calendar and passed.
The calendar was then taken up and
the House bill to regulate the manner in
which property shall be sold under
orders and decree of any United States
court.
Mr.. Teller moved to insert an addi-
tional amendment requiring officers of
the court to receive illegal tender money
in payment of judgments.
Mr.. Sherman objected to the amend
ment and suggested the case of a judg-
m ent being on note or specific contract
requiring payment in gold coin.
MI. Teller replied by saying that in
such case, if there was difference be-
| tween the value of the legal tender
money and the gold coin, the difference
| should be part of the Judgment.
Mr.. Sherman thought such an i'm
portant change in the law should not be
made under the five minute rule, and
| without debate. He objected to the
consideration of the bill.
Mr.. Morgan-sI move to proceed to
| its consideration notwithstanding the
objection.
A vote was taken and no quorum re-
| suited.
Senator HilPs first recorded vote on
| question wherein the subject of silver
was involved was given on this motion
in the affirmative
The roll of the Senate having been
| called Al senators, more than quorum,
responded. As the vote was about be-
ing taken for the second time MI. ALI
son suggested that, as before vote could
be finished the hour of would
arrive when the calendar
would have to be laid aside,
Mr.. Morgan expressed willingness to let
the bill be laid aside without action as
the vote just cast showed very decided
determination on the part of the Senate
that the legal tender laws shall be re-
spected by all officers of the government.
The bill was laid aside without preiu-
dice under rule s.
At 2 o'clock the calendar was laid aside
and the bill to provide for the free coin
age of gold and silver was taken up.
Mr. Sherman continued his argument
against the bill. He fortified his position
by quotations from financial periodicals,
| describing the consequences of the fall
OF silver in India. The teeming popula-
ton of that country have been dealing in
silver for centuries, yet they are threat
ened by the same evils which threatened
the United States and would have to re-
| sort to gold standard. The amount of
the deposits in the savings banks of the
country, he stated, was 81, ,623, 900, 900.
The free coinage of silver would take
| away third, or five hundred millions,
| from its value. If the depositors should
| attempt to draw out their money in gold,
or on basis of gold, it would precipitate
panic and bankrupt the country. The
laboring classes, pensioners and savings
banks depositors were the people who
would be injured. God only knew who
would be benefited by it.
Mr. Sherman said he subscribed to the
declaration in the California Democratic
conventions platform favoring the use
of gold, silver and paper money to be
maintained at par with each other. That
was what he meant by bi-metallism. He
held that there should be a change in the
financial laws of the country. First of
duC6SUOTS
had done; what every nation had done:
establish new ratio between silver and
gold; not to make them exactly equal.
because that was impossible. The ebbs
and flows would change the ratio. The
ratio ought to be such as would be most
likely to be maintained. If it were estab-
llshed at the present price of silver. it
would be % to /. He spoke approvingly
of the Presidents efforts to bring about
all international bi-metallic conference.
He hoped the conference would have
successful result, and that it would les
sen the evils now pressing on the finan-
cial conditions of all nations of the
world. But this was no time, he said.
for considering the pending measure. In
the midst of presidential canvass, when
men are scheming and looking for posi-
tions, there never had been and never
could be, wise and useful legislation.
Mr.. Aldrich suggested, in view of the
fact that many senators would be absent
from Washington for some time to come.
the silver bill might continue, but no
vote upon the bill or amendments should
be taken until after June IA.
After some collOquy, and with the un-
derstanding that the bill should retain
place as unfinished business, the propo-
sition was agreed to.
Mr. Stewart then took the floor and
elucidated his side of the silver question.
until half-past 4, when without finishing
his speech) he yielded the floor and the
Senate adjourned.
In the House.
The House went into committee Of the
whole on the post Office appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Lanham, of Texas, on behalf
of Mr.. Crane of Texas, who was
absent, offered an amendment
providing an appropriation for free de-
livery to be disbursed in such manner
that no additional free delivery offices be
established in any congressional district
in which may be established one or more
free delivery offices; nor shall free de-
livery facilities be increased in said
offices till each congressional district in
which they may be placed, shall have
been supplied with at least one free de-
livery Office. The amendment was
adopted. Various other amendments
having reference to the matter of free
delivery were offered and either rejected