The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-02-19
A SILVER DEBATE.
Mosrrs. BlSd and Harter Indulge
,--. in a Lively Tilt.
HARTER MAKES A PREDICTION.

"izoha, scores the "NOblc Red
MAN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The silver
question was forced into the discussion
on the floor of the house, and sharp
tilt occurred between Mr.. Bland and
Mr.. Harter on the subject.
While the Indian appropriation bill
was under discussion Mr.. Bland sent to
the clerks desk to have read circular
petition from q. A. r. posts protesting
against free coinage, upon the ground
that pensioners would then be paid sew
enty cents on the dollar. Mr. Bland
charged that the circular had been sent
out by Mr.. Harter to be sent back to
members Of the house, under the pre-
tense that it originated with the sol
dlers, the purpose being to bulldoze
members and frighten them from sup
porting free coinage. He said Mr. Har-
ter was banker, a millionaire, working
IN the interests of the rich to oppress
the poor.
MIR. Harter Denies.
Mr.. Harter made reply that he was
not banker, nor a millionaire, that he
did not propose to oppress the poor. He
was opposed to class legislation in favor
of any one silver miners among the rest
He believed in honest money and be-
lieved that the people had right to
know what was going on in congress
He had sent out the circulars at his own
expense to inform the people of the
danger the country was in. Perhaps
MIR. Bland did not want them to be in
formed. He was opposed to giving to
the producer of silver bullion the earn
ings and savings of people by legislation,
and he was equally opposed to giving it
TO the manufacturer. He favored an
abundance of money of the right kind,
but the money Mr.. Bland proposed
would not furnish one dollar more
money for the circulation of the country.
1t would promptly, visibly, radically
and dangerously contract the currency
of the country.
1t Would REFLECT Harrison.
Ii a free coinage bill was passed it
would be equivalent to electing
Benjamin Harrison. This would be
done by the action of the Democrats
under the leadership of the silver ques-
tion. Of course the Republicans wanted
the Democrats to pass free coinage
bill. 1t would elect their president. He
believed in consistency, but free coin
e-tsN biiA was NV SpiloiSitlts 40
lar he issued was to inform the pension
ers Of the danger of this silver bill. If
1t were passed the pensioner would
lose thirty cents on every dollar he re-
ceiyed for his pension. He would rather
pay off the members of congress in
money worth seventy cents on the dol
Lar. ..
Mr.. Bland then sent to the clerks
desk the congressional directory and had
Mr.. Harter's biography read amidst
greak laughter. He was mentioned as
. member of the Golden CLUB, of Lon
don, the Reform club, of New York, the
Young Mems Democratic club, of Gin
einnati, and other organizations. Mr.
Bland denied that he was not Demo-
crat. He had never voted any other
ticket in his life. The gentleman from
Ohio tMr Harter) still holds with John
Sherman on the silver question.
They Got Their Watches Out.
Mr.. Harter--No, sir; John Sherman
holds me. (Great laughter.) There is
no difference between the gold and
silver dollar continued Mr.. Harter. l
have no gold except this-pulling out
his gold watch and shaking it at Mr.
Bland, who whipped out a large silver
watch and offered to exchange with
him. loud laughter and applause all
over the house)
Mr.. Buchanan IN. - inquired when
the gentlemen got their watches out?
Continued laughter.) He favored free
dom for every man, woman and child
In the country. Let them say whether
they wanted to take this silver money,
or whether they would let it alone.
The "Noble Rcd Man" Scored.
The regular order was then called for
aad debate OH the Indian bill proceeded
Mr.. Smith (Arizona) made vigorous
speech against the Indian. He had per-
soual knowledge Of the Indian. He
knew his habits andspoke within bounds
when he said that the worst Indian was
the educated one lie would favor dis
arming the Indians. They should earn
their bread. Congress had no right to
place these Indians in Arizona. The
harmless Indian was not the one
the government had aided. 1t was
the bloodthirsty, wicked Indian who
had been aided. They plundered, stole
and committed murder, and the best
way TO deal with them is to disarm them
and put them to work, even if it took
all the money in the national treasury.
Remarks were made by Mcssrs. Peel
(Ark.l, Pickler Is. d., Bowers (Cal.(,
and Holman (lnd.) y under the five min
utea rule for debate, and at 8 O'Clock the
house. without action on the bill, ad-
5ourned
Mr.. Picl1ler defended the Indian. The
government WIS responsible for his
present condition, and should amelio-
rate and not obstruct his advancement;
he should be educated. Members said
make him work. How could he work?
How could he work when surrounded
by governmental restrictions2 What
could he do2 The government should
bear the burden of the Indians support
and his education. He commended the
Indian services and the Indian agents,
and said that this administration had
made excellent appointments in this
ssrvice He quoted from the report of
Indian Agent Mclaughlin, at Standing
Aock agency, showing the good condi-
kaon of affairs there
LOUISVILLE, Feb. IA report has
9eaohed here that the noted outlaw
Berry Turnm, leader In the Parton,