Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-24

WAsHINGroN, March 22.-In the House
to-day several bills were reported from com
mittees and referred, after which the Bland
bill was called up as a special order being the
bill for the free coinage OF gold aud silver
and for the issue of coin notes. On motion
of Mr. Bland resolution was adopted pro-
viding for evening sessions tonight and to-
morrow for general debate on the silver
bill. MIR. Bland then proceeded with his
speech. ''This bill' said he, 'provides that
gold and silver shall be coined at the ratio
fixed by the act of 1884, which was called
tie ratio of 16 to l, or more exactly it is
IS. 9S to /. This provides that gold and sill
YER shall be equal at the miuts. [Applause.1
In order that tins equality should be pre-
served it is necessary that silver should be
put on the same plan in regard to issue of
certificates at the mint as gold. In arguing
for a greater volume of money, Mr.. Bland
said he would admit that the refined system
OF credits which has grown up in the
country does, to certain extent economic
the uso of money, but in the end the day
OF payment OF these obligations always
comes, and then we must have money.
Notes and bonds are not money, they are
convenlences. The whole fight over this
this issue is between the capstaists who de-
sire money instead of interest. [Great ap-
pause.
The gentlemen denounced the periodic at
tempts made for International conferences
and international agreements every time
free coinage OF silver Is proposed. Are we
to be shackled here by the apathy of the
governments of other nations Is our finan-
Gal system to be reguiated-not by our own
ideas OF justice and our own conveniences,
bat by the conveniences oil other nations /?
tAppause.l
The moment this great government de-
clares for free coinage OF silver tbe other
commercial nations. too vi solve that quss-
ton. Self interest will compel them to do
$50. The restoration of silver here means
the restoration of it everywhere the world
over. [Applausel
Gold and silver have been servants of
civilization since civilization began. They
are twin brothers and when you severe the
hgature both are dead Before gold can
leave this country there must be some other
form of money to take its place. The mo-
nlent you restore silver, il gold Is taken
fSoD circulation, prices will GO down in pro-
portion and that necessitates money from
abroad to purchase commodities hare thar
80 down because of the contraction Of money
Everything will be cheap.
The man who holds his gold is simply
holding IL for silver; for silver will take the
ehRnnels of circulation. Gold is a tyrant
Cold won tolerate any competition. He
must dominate or lie will have nothing to
do with your finances. Let silver be coined
oroe and see what the result will be. Then
you bring him to the level of the common
people of this country, [applausel to the
level OF silver, where he ought to be.
You may have to pay little more, if you
have the two metals at par, but let us re
member that as Il rule, when money is plon-
tiful prices are goou. You may have to pay
Little more, but labor, after all, is the only
money. Wall street is to-day demonetizing
labor and wheat and cotton This bill re-
monetizes them all. [Applause.
At the conclusion of MIR. BANDS speech
Mr. Williams, Of Massachusetts arose to ad-
dress the House and was recognized by the
speaker, but Abner Taylor, Of Illinois, as
the leader OF the republican anti free coin
age men on the coinage committee, said he
thought he was entitled to recognition be-
cause the only party opposed to the bill
wanted him to open for the opposition.
Speaker Crisp replied that the views of
the minority on the bill were offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts, The rule OF
the House and of parliamentary practice
was TO first give recognition to the gentle
jorty and next to the gentleman reporting
substitute in behalf of the minority.
Mr.. Taylor-1hat was not the order in
the discussion in the last House. The min
ority report was made by one gentleman
and the discussion opened by Mr.. Bland
The chair-Of course this is subject to ar
understanding and the chair does not know
what understanding was reached
Mr.. Iaylor-There was no understand
ing.
The chair said the gentleman from Massa
chusetts was the minority representative.
Mr.. Taylor, interrupting, said: The chail
must recognize that | stand as the repre-
sentative of the ma ority of that minority
The Speaker-1he chair Understands tina
the gentleman from Massachusetts, repre
sents the whole Of the minority and that h,
ought TO be entitled TO address tho House.
Mr.. Williams, in opening his address, sale
that he trusted IN his remarks lie shoul,
truly represent the people Of the country il
accord with him in their views on this grea
question He trusted no should be alba +,
represent not only the minority OF the min
ority, but the majority Of the minority a.
we'll.
Mr.. Boutelle-Nou have not been re-
quested or commissioned to do anything O.
the kind and have no authority
Mr.. Williams SAID ha was acting by M
request, but in behalf OF the minority of tn
committee, and in behalf of the cause h
represented, which knew no party, but wa
mere question Of patriotism on both sides
Continuing Mr. Williams said he recog
nized the fact that he was addressing pee
pls who had already known the owls of de
preciated money. He now spoke tout of
party which during the period of resumI
tion never altered its determination to a
sist In and secure the resumption of speci
payments.
Mr.. Simpson of Kansas What party WI
that ?
Mr.. Williams-The democratic party.
Mr.. Williams said he should make no Iii
tlnctlon OF party. Many men felt obligo
to vote for the free coinage OF sivel
though though they did not believe in it, b.
cause of the instructions Of their consttl
sjon Sectional feeling might cause an e1
preston of favor Of measures admitted
be national disasters, but when men can
to the House and took into their hands Il
destiny of the monetary system OF th