Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-25
AN EXCITING FINISH.
The Free Coinage Bill Has a
Close Call.
1t Came Within an Ace of Be-
ing Tabled.
Speaker Crisp's Casting Vote Was All
That Saved 1t.
The Filibusters Prevent 1t From Coming
to Final Vote-It Coos on the
Calendar for Future
Consideration.

Associated Press Dispatches.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The galleries
were again packed when the silver de-
bate was resumed today, and there was
a very full attendance on the part of
members. Bland announced that he
would postpone his motion for the pre-
vious question till O'Clock, in order to
give an opportunity for greater debate.
Williams of Illinois, q Democratic
member of the coinage committee,
opened the debate in favor of the bill.
He ELECTED great applause when he ex-
claimed "The unit of value is a crea-
ture of the law, and the power of declar-
ing what shall constitute the unit OF
value in the United States is vested in
congress alone!"
He criticized the administration for
working against the bill, and predicted
that if the measure passed the house
the administration would exert all its
mighty influence to force gold to pre-
MUM, creating trepidation to prevent
like action by the senate.
!, In sharp passage at arms, which ,aow
ensued between Wike of Illinois and
Williams, the latter maintained that 6he
silver coin of Europe is already at a par
with gold, and that the United States ia
capable OF taking care of the bullion yet
uncoined.
- Cochran of New York, the well-known
Tammany leader, opened for the oppo-
sition to the bill, which he vigorously
attacked. He, nevertheless, compli-
mented Chairman BANDS report, and
declared that he had no patience with
Mr.. Harter, who had said: 81 credit
him (Bland) with gross ignorance as the
only excuse for bis attitude"
Cochran said that, while disputing
the conclusions of the bill, he desired
also to dispute the statement of Harter
If there had been ignorance displayed
upon the floor, it had not been displayed
by the gentleman from Missouri.
This thrust at Harter was greeted
with applause, and Cochran continued
his speech at length. 49, Il
Cochran was followed by Cummings,
of New York, who said his constituents
were opposed to the bill, and he would
therefore vote against it.
Dingley of Maine also spoke in opposi-
tion to the bill, saying that its effect
would be to give to the silver mine
owners of this nation $21, 10000
annually more than they are now re-
ceiving for their product. In addition
to this our mints would be flooded by
silver imported from abroad.
Loud of California said the first and
most potent reason why he should vote
against the bill was that in the platform
of the Republican party there was en-
grated plank against the free coinage
of silver. Furthermore, in the laws of
his state, in the obligations of almost
every country. and in all notes and con-
tracts, were provisions making them
payable in gold. To assume that the
people of California were in favor of the
free coinage of silver would be to assert
that they were living lie. He remem-
bered when, as mechanic, he had to
take his $100 month in silver and ex-
change 1t at loss of SO before paying
his butcher and baker.
Bartine of Nevada, leader of the Re-
publican free coinage men, made an
able and comprehensive speech, review
ing the fiscal policy of this government
and Europe on the silver question dur
ing the past century and combating the
arguments against free silver. The
ruling classes in the eastern cities,
where wealth had been piled mountain
high by special legislation, were swell
ing into white heat of indignation at
the thought that the silver miners
would realize an enhanced price through
free coinage. The only men in Nevada
ever called by the name of money kings
we're engaged in producing more gold
than silver. 1t was these infamous
miners who had furnished the country
over $40O, ,0O0,O 900 in coin with which to
pay the national debt and the balance
of trade. The farmer has more at stake
in this question than the silver miner.
The great bulk of wheat sold in the
European market is sold in competition
with silver-using countries and upon a
silver basis.
1t is perfectly plain, said Bartine, that
the Indian producer has an advantage
over the American producer in the Eng
lish market. Both sell at the same
price. The Indian takes his silver
home, where it is just as good and
effective money as it ever was. The
American can obtain the same amount
of silver. but if he brings it to America
he sustains a loss of 80 per cent in con-
verting it into standard coin.
BarJlno Olu uOC preUonO 10 DolleVo
that everything abnormal in the social
and industrial conditions of the dav had
resulted from silver demonetization.
Neither did he claim that its demonetiz-
alton would convert the American conti-
nent into terrestrial paradise and fill
the land with Utopian bills, but he did
believe its general result would be all in
the line of bene6cence; that it would
encourage enterprise and lead to more
even distribution of wealth.
Hatch of Missouri believed this ques-
ton was national one, and therefore q
party one. 1t was utterly impossible
for the Democratic party to ignore its
past history and pledges to the people
on this subject. The gentleman from
Massachusetts (Williams) had at
tempted to read him out of the Demo-
cratic sparty, and egotisticallY declared
that only those who agreed with him
! (Williams) were Democrats.
Then the house was much amused by
q little tilt between Hatch and Williams.
| The latter having asked if Hatch could
refer him to Democratic platform that