Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-22

The Senate Discusses the Anti
Option Bill.
DALIIsD WITH HIS WHISPERS
Senator Pfeffsr Says That Farmers Are
Weary of Dealings IN ''Fu,uIss" and
Wan, Them Dropped.

WASHINGTON, Dcc-s 2l.-The senate
was IN session today during four hours
aud a half, threo-iourtns o. that time
being devoted To speech making. Mr..
Hunton (deml OF Virginia. continued,
but did not conclude tbs argument IN
favor of The McGarrahan bill; Mr.
Palmer (deml Of Illinois finished his
argument against the anti-option bill;
Mr.. Pfeifer pop Of Kansas commenced,
but did not i.nish q speech IN favor of
1t; and Mr.. Perkins (rep) of Kansas
addressed the senate on the subject of
the policy to be pursued as 10 the
Indian territory. He fav.rs the ex-
tension of state, or OF = territorial
government over the territory. with or
without the consent OF the i've clyilized
tribes. 4
The concurrent resolution for the
holiday recess was agreed to, and u
JOINT ras luton Was introduced by Mr..
McPner-on (deni) OF New Jersey, which
he Will press to vote immediately
after the holidays, directing the secre-
tary OF the treasury 10 suspend all pur-
chases of SILVER bullion under the Shei-
man act OF July ii, 1890.
Palmer SAID the people wanted to be
protected more tnar anything else
from their so-called friends, from the
men vino would subveri the o.der by
constitutional ideas of government ana
would turn thvse helpless people (who
suffered most when orderly govern
nent was attacked) over 10 the mere
discretion Of ngress. He was happy
To know that there was no urgent de-
mand for such bill IN the state OF
Illinois.
Farmers wantIt
The effect of the bill (should it be-
come a law would be TO drive epecu-
lators out of the business and give to
large capitalists monopoly in dealings
in farm products. The effect would be
To diminish purchases, TO drive out
competition, and TO leave the field OF
business to the men who were so
iiercely demanding the passage OF the
pending bill.
Mr. Pfeifer, (populist. Kans.) said he
would not be quite satisfied with his
own conduct If ne did not. at least,
openly before the senate express his
approval OF the pending measure. He
early and favorable action on the bill.
Ninety per cen: of American farmers
favored the passage of the bill, or Of
another having the same object in view.
Farmers did not object to tho buying
and selling of future delivery. That
was often convenient and sometimes
necessary, but the farmers insisted that
fictitious. pretended and false com-
merce in purely imaginary articles,
which continusliy interfered with their
business. To their injury. ought to be
suppressed.
IL an Obedient Servant
They did not expect that the pending
measure, II 1t became a law, would rid
them wholly of the evil complained Of,
but II would open the way to more sue
cessful legislation, after the methods
of evading IT had been discovered. He
doubted whether hundred votes could
be obtained among the farmers of
Kansas in opposition to the bill, so that
IN urging It's passage he was dong their
bidding, and 1t afforded him pleasure
to aid them IN all matters about which
they had gwen him instructions, as
they had cone in this matter. Mr..
Ptefter yielded the floor without con-
Guiding nis remarks.
On motion Of Mr.. Teller, republican,
of Colorado, IL was ordered that the
McGsrrahan bill shall he tsken up in
the morning hour tomorrow. The fol-
lowing bile were taken from the calen-
dar, read and passed; House bills ex-
tending for one year the acts author
lzlng the construction of a bridge across
Cane rlver IN Louisiana, and of bridge
across the Red river, Louisiana. Sen
ate bii for the adjustment and pay
ment of the claim OF Thomas Il. Smith
for work done and materials furnish d
for lreakwater 1t Bar Harbor, Me-,
| s6.S9l.
The senate at 4:30 adjourned until
tomorrow.