The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-03-23


the Minority in the Committee at the
Same Time-Maine Members Take a
Hand.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Under the
resolution adopted some days ago, the
House today laid aside the consideration
of the free wool bills and took up the
Bland free coinage bill. MI. Bland
opened the debate. and was followed by
Mr.. Williams of Massachusetts,, whose
attempt to take upon himself the honor
of representing the Republican opposi-
ton was promptly resented, this incident
somewhat relieving the monotony of the
discussion. The debate was continued
through the evening and will be resumed
tomorrow.
The bill having been read in full, Mr..
Bland took the floor, but was Immediate
ly taken therefrom by Mr.. Tracy of New
York with the point of order that the
bill must receive its first consideration
in committee of the whole, as it in
volved a charge upon the treasury
Mr.. Dingley supported this point, which
was antagonized by Mr.. Bland, and was
overruled by the Chair, who stated that
the matter had been examined at the
time of the report of the bill from the
committee.
On motion of Mr.. Bland resolution
session tonight and tomorrow night for a
general debate on the silver bill.
Mr.. Bland then proceeded with his
speech. This bill, said he, provides that
gold and silver shall be coined at the RAJ
ito fixed by the act of 1887, which was
called the ratio of 16 to 1. This bill pro-
vides that gold and silver shall be equal
at the mints. Continuing, Mr.. Bland
stated that while this bill placed gold
and silver on an equality in the matter of
the issue of coin notes, on their deposit
at the mints, it also maintained that
equality by providing that when coin
notes should be presented for redemp-
ton, the government should be free to
redeem them in either gold OF silver, as
it might prefer. Thus the coin notes is
sued on deposits of gold bullion
Might Be Redeemed in Silver
or coin notes issued on deposits of silver,
might be redeemed in gold, just as the
treasury might prefer.
In arguing for greater volume of
money, Mr.. Bland said he would admit
that the refined system of credits which
had grown up in the country did to a
certain extent economic the use of mon
ey, but in the end the day of the pay
ment of these obligations always came
and then we must have money. Notes
and bonds are not money; they are con-
veniences. The whole fight over this is
sue is between the capitalists, who de-
mand interest, and the people, who de-
mand money instead of interest. [Great
applause].
The speaker denounced the periodic
attempts made for international confer
ences and international agreements every
time the free coinage of silver is pro-
posed. Are we to be shackled here by
the apathy of the governments of ether
nationalities? Is our financial system to
be regulated, not by our own ideas of
justice and our own conveniences, but by
the conveniences of other nations? APP
plause1. The moment this government
declares for the free coinage of silver,
the other commercial nations, too, will
solve that question. Self interest will
compel them to do so. The restoration
of silver here means the restoration of
silver everywhere the world over. Ap-
plause1. Gold and silver have been
The Servants of Civilization
since civilization began. They are twin
brothers, and when you sever the liga-
ture both are dead.
The man who holds his gold is simply
holding it for silver, for silver will take
the channels of circulation. Gold is
tyrant. Gold will not tolerate any COM
petition. He must dominate, or he will
have nothing to do with your finances.
the result will be then. You bring him
to the level of the common people of
this country. Applause]. Wall street
is today demonetizing labor, and wheat,
and cotton. This bill will remonetize
them all. Applause]
Mr.. Williams of Massachusetts, arose to
address the House and was recognized
by the Speaker, but Abner Taylor of Il
linois, as leader of the Republican anti
free coinage men on the coinage commit
tee, said he thought that he was entitled
to recognition because the only party OPP
posed to the bill wanted him to open for
the opposition.
Speaker Crisp replied that the views of
the minority on the bill were to be Of
fered by the gentleman from Massachu-
sets. The rule of the House and of par
liamentary practice was to first give re-
cognition to gentleman reporting a
measure in behalf of a majority, and
next to gentleman reporting a subSti-
tute in behalf of a minority.
Mr.. Taylor-"That was not the order
in the discussion IN the last House. The
minority report was made by one gen
gleman and the discussion opened by
Mr.. Bland.'
The Chair-''Of course, this is all sub
ject to understanding. The Chair does
not know what understanding was
reached"
Mr.. Taylor:
"There Was No Understanding.
The Chair said the gentleman from
Massachusetts was the minority repre-
sentative.
Mr.. Taylor, interrupting, said:
''The Chair must recognize that l
stand as the representative of a majority
of that minority"
The Speaker-sThe Chair understands
that the gentleman from Massachusetts
represents the whole of the minority and
he ought to be entitled to address the