The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-03
Reciprocity Treaties Antedate Both
Harrison and Blaine a Good
Many Years.
They Are Now Engaged in an Un-
seemly Scramble for tho
Credit.
Stewart (Nev) Makes . Speech On tho sil-
yer Question Sherman Il Taken
to Task.

WARRINGTON, June 2--Tnrpie's resolution
calling for the correspondence with Hayti,
Colombia and Venezuela regarding reoi.
proclty was taken up and Iurpie addressed
the senate. He said there is a struggle be-
tween two statesman as to which of the
twain is entitled to the honor Of having de-
vised the scheme Of reciprocity. He found.
however. that neither of those prominent
statesmen could lay the slightest claim OF
being originator of the policy. Reciprocity
treaties dated back to 1903, whom what ia
known as the Methuen treaty was entered
into between Great Britain and Portugal.
But under so-oalled reciprocity treaties with
South America the secretary Of state has
substituted his own power for that Of con-
gress. and declared that the purpose Of REQ
iprocity is not commercial, but wholly po-
litical. @&r
Stewart resumed his argument in support
of the bill providing for the free coinage of
gold and silver. He expressed surprise at
the chairman's statement that he is in
favor of the Bland-AIlison bill. Sherman,
he said. criticized the bill while he was
secretary Of the treasury and urged its re-
peal. Sherman predicted that the Bland
act would bring the conntry to q silver
standard and Stewart declared the law of
1880 would inevitably bring the country to
paper standard or to the market value of
the standard value Of silver, because it is
going to be impossible to maintain gold
payments under the existing law. Every
weekly statement of the treasury showed
the percentage of gold coming out growing
less and less. until it is now only IA per
cent OF the aggregate of receipts. In
response to query by Higgins. it he pre-
fetred silver basis. Stewart said he pre-
ferred nythinR rather than the enslave-
ment of the people by an attempt to reduce
the whole world to narrow basis of gold.
II would reverse the policy of the ad-
ministration, which reversed the law. It
to redeem the paper of the government IN
the currency which ia most convenient.
say the present policy. under the existing
law, will reduce US, not only to a silver
basis, but to basis of the commercial
prices of silver, because it will be impossi-
BILE to maintain on the present volume of
gold the existing credit of the fabric
world" In the course of his argument,
Stewart ridiculed Sherman's expression of
sympathy for the working classes and for
pensioners. -.,- 10y, sse
Sympathy" he exclaimed, "there is not
blood enough in all the gold trust men for
one mosquito.''
At the close of Stewards speech the silver
bill went over without action.
resolution WAS reported from the
finance committee for the appointment of a
of ave to inquire whether the
law relative to national banks furnishes
sufficient protection to depositors and to
other creditors, and investigate recent fail
uIes OF national banks and other violations
of law or Irregularities. 1t was agreed to,
and Chandler. Higgins, PETER, Harris and
N McPhersoa appointed.
After an executive session the senate ad-
journed till Monday.