Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-03-25
ANDBILL BEATEN
A Midnight Adjournment With
out Final Action Thereon.
ITS PLACE ON THE CALENDAR LOST,

Rather Surprising Strength of the Anti
Silver Men-A Motion to Table the Bill
ohiy Lost by Tie, the Speaker Voting
to Save the Measure-Filibusterinr
Tactics Enable the Ants to Control the
situation and Force an Adjournm emit
Extracts from the Closing Debate.
WASHINGTON, March 24-The fact that
Bland had given notice that he would de-
mand the previous question on his silver
Dill yesterday at 2:30 p. m. was sufficient
to I'LL the galleries of the house and secure
the attendance of nearly every member on
the hoor. BY the time the journal had
been read there were but two hours re-
naming in which members might say
what they had to say on the subject. 1t
was expected that a strong filibustering
movemen, would he started at the proper
moment. But as soon as the journal had
been read Bland got the floor and extend
ed the time for general debate until p
m by the announcement of the postpone
ment OF his demand for the previous qucs-
tion until that hour
An Illinois Free Coinage Man.
The debate was opened for the day by
Williams of Illinois, who said he was in
favor of dollar that was of the same
value at all times and that the only fixed
value gold had was it's coin value, its rela-
tive value changing just as often as COM
modltles changed its purchasing value
The anl-silver men said that our silver
dollar now was 30 per cent. "iat" He
could tell them that the paper dollars of
! this country were, as to many of them, 100
per cent Stat" He said that the Demo
Gratis might be divided now little on the
silver question, but they would be united
on the tariff issue in November.
Wike Asks Some Questions.
Wike of Illinois-Does my colleague hold
that the passage of this bill and the adoption
OF free coinage in this country will have an
equal effect upon bullion throughouc the
world, without a monetary conference and
agree ment between the nations of the earth.
Wiillams-I say it win have that effect upon
the silver bullion owners of the world, and |
say that, of the entire product OF the world
less than $780, t00.0G9 would come to our midst
say that the silver coin of Europe is already
at a par with gold. [Applause.l
Wike-But bullion is not
WilEams-B But the United States is capable
of taking care OF the bullion yet uncoincd.
lApplause.l
Cochran Has His Oil Along.
Bourke Cochran was the next speaker
and proceeded to pour oil on the rough
water between Williams of Massachusetts
and others Of his views and the men be-
hind the free coinage lines. The Demo-
cratic party was large enough and broad
enough to hold in its embrace regardless
of differences of opinions on economic
questions, all men who believed in con-
stitutional government. He compliment
ed Bland, but had no patience with Harter
who had credited Bland with gross ignor-
ance as the only excuse for Bland's advo-
cacy of the silver bill. Bland, said Cock
ran had displayed no ignorance He then
proceeded to show, as he alleged, where
Bland was all wrong.
Not Enough Time to Answer.
History had always shown that when
two metals were in circulation at different
values the depreciation was in of
the value of the coin which
the law compels us to receive
The effect would be to create a distrust of
the commercial honor of the nation which
pays its debts with bludgeon.
Bland-What do you say of the law of 1873
that from that day TO this has robbed debtors
and this country of the difference between
gold and silverI
Cockran-That is question which should be
answered, but if the gentleman cannot pro-
Nlde TOT an extension 01 time L cannot stop to
answer ii. But ! want to ask the gentleman
from Missouri whether he calls this pending
bill free coinage measure?
Doesn't Restore the Statu Quo Ante.
Bland-Thc Gentleman may designate it as he
chooses, but ! lay it is the free coinage meas
Ure for gold and silver that we always had un-
til 1873.
I Cockran-With all respect to the gentleman
from Missouri, l desire to say that this bill
does not provide for the coinage of gold and
silver as it existed prior TO 1873 More than
that, say that it flies into the face of consti-
tutional provisions which are the basis of the
platform and faith of the Democratic party.
1t provides for the launching of this country
into the banking business and making of the
treasury an influence which can upset trade
and commerce at the pleasure of the officials
in charge of it. 1t provides for the deposit of
bullion and the issuing of treasury notes, which
will themselves be debased and degraded be-
low the value of the greenback.