The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-23

molev. although "A different metal
Mir Bland concluded his speech few
minutes after O'Clock, and he was loudly
appiauded as he took his seat
THE MINORITY REPORT.
lie was followed by Mr. Williams. Of
Massachusetts, who made the minority report
ON the Bland bill for the anti-silyer Demo
orats. He desired TO truly represent the peo-
ple OF the country who were IN accord with
his people on this question. TINS Silver bill
deliberately undertook to depreciate its
standard of value. lie spoke Of party
which. during the period of resumption. in its
platforms and in It's legislation never altered
It's determination % assist in securing re-
SUMPTION OF specie payments
Mr.. Simpson. of Kansas Farmers Alliance):
What party was that,
MIR. Williams The Democratic party.
Mr.. Simpson: Oh. | simply wanted to
know.
Mr. Williams continued Tho fundamental
error with which the free coinage advocates
started out is that quantity of money was es-
sentally more important than quality. and
that money Itself was OF supreme importance
AS compared with credit
These errors were one and the same IN sub
stance. Where would the silver 90 under this
bill, 10 would 90 20 a discount The depre-
citation for silver would be fixed by the mar
kets OF the world and our standard would
then be seventy cents on the dollar. in truth.
was a dishonest settlement on the basis
of our present gold standard and
the people of the country would never
listen 10 the proposition. II was absurd 1t
was the duty of this country TO secure silver
again IN Its proper place IN the currency sys-
TENS of the world. He believed 1t as neces-
sary to do this US did Mr.. Bland. but he did
not believe that because tho evil existed
throughout the world the people should
be afflicted with all the disastrous results
which must follow from 1t under free coin
age act He then submitted rs an amend
ment the bill contained in the report Of the
minority of the committee, providing for an
international monetary conference The re-
marks Of Mr.. Williams were loudly APP
plauded.
MR.. HARTER's SPEECH.
Mr.. Harter reviewed briefly the history of
the silver question. He contended that the
Bland bill would contract and debase our cur
rency Mr. BANDS claim that the passage OF
the bill would make money more plentiful
was misleading and untrue. All the laws
! that Congress could pass from January 10
! December from now until eternity would not
alter the market or world value OF silver.
The trusting farmer, who to-day was stand
/ ing bv with bated breath waiting for
| the salvation which the Bland bill was
TO bring him, would find its becoming
/ law would sweep away one.halt OF the
savings OF his lifetime. Truly Mr.. Bland
|
/ all the dry seasons, wet seasons. frost.
/ cyclones. locusts. chinch- bugs and protective
/ tariffs he had suffered from during the past
decade The Bland bill, he said. while called
a free coinage bill. was really bill compelling
/ the nation To buy all the silver the silver ring
could get together. 10 matter how much 1t
might prove 10 be- at 1929 per ounce. Inns
wonld utterly and hOpelessly bankrupt the
country and might III the end create reyolu-
ton and ultimately change our form o. gov
ernment.
During the course Of his remarks. Mr.. Har-
ter referred 10 the free coinage men AS peo-
ple who come here and take us bv the back
| and shake us like this illustrating his point
bv grabbing Mr. McKaig, of Maryland, by
the collar and shaking.hlm vigorously.
Mr. McKaig showed hostile intentions, at
first. but afterwards joined in the great out
burst OF laughter that continued for several
minutes at his expense.
ANOTHER OPPOSITION SPEECH.
Mr.. Rayner of Maryland. opposed the
measure and said that our present silver dol
| lar is dishonest We have two kinds of dol
lars in circulation that Is honest and
properly labeled the other Is dis
honest and falsely labeled. If the dollar
| is not worth "a dollar, how is it that 1t
passes as a dollar from hand 10 hand, and has
q purchasing power equal to that of the gold
! dollar. The answer is that legislation has
Given il an artificial value. The mine owners
compel the Government to place the emblem
OF a dollar with the ensign OF the republic
unon seventy cents worth OF bullion.
is worse than counteTfelting, and Is an artlfice
and trick upon the people No such juggling
With the finances could ever succeed Loud
Mr. Taylor. Of illinois. said he spoke to the
only party that was opposed TO the majority.
lie admired the Democratic party for the ia
c,ltv with which they had straddled both
siSes of the question. if the present bill
1Vere nassed the silver miner would be able
to nav his labor with cheap money. The
laborer now receiving g "a day would be paid
- IA per day under this bill. The pensions
10 he pensioners would be reduced 30 per
cent The Republican party stood as the adj
yocate of sound money and would defend the
country against the people whom they were
seeking to ruin its finances.
Mr. Hopkins lkep.), OF Illinois, spoke
AGAINST the measure and SAID no greater
calamity would Oefall the country than It's
MASSAGE IL was impossible for this Govern
inent To grant to silver the powers and prlyll-
Goes that this bill carried and MAINTAIN 1t at a
parity with gold. 1t was therefore Il crime TO
Give II such qualities as would change the
values of our moneys lie advocated the
oIontion of the amendment of the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Milliams) for none
tary conference.
Mr.. EpEs FAvORs THE BILL.
Mr. Epes DEM, Of Virginia, supported
the measure Free coinage would make sll-
ver worth as much as gold. He believed III
the ownership OF the American people, and
we should be guided IN tins question as tc
what other nations might do. The silver
measure proposed was not an experiment. II
WAS restitution and restoration There was
no need 10 fear the safety OF silver III our mlnis
If this bill is passed. c-,;...
Mr. Crawford DEM OF North CArohna
supported the bill. The TRADE against tht
free coinage of silver came from the grea1
moneved centres of the country, where vas
and mammoth fortunes had been piled up 10
stocks and gold at the expense OF the iaoorinl
people of tho country. He said Harter, o
Ohio. must have had nightmare when ht
sent out his circular to the q. A. X. posts o.
the country. The silver dollar was equal u
the gold dollar, not only here, but IN every
country in the civilized world
Mr.. De Forest (Dem) of Connecticut. op
posed the bill. The proposition for the Tree anC
unlimited coinage of silver excited the pro
foundest apprehension of the people be rep
resented
At $50 the House took a recess until S3t
tonight.
3 EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. O'Donnell (Rep) of Michigan, the
first speaker of tho evening opposed the bill