The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-23

- Va
age of silver was manifested in the
House this. morning by an increased at
tendance Of the members, by an unusual
largo corps of newspaper correspondents
and by the crowd that thronged the
galleries. The diplomatic gallery, which
as general thing, presents an array of
empty benches, to-day added its quota
OF spectators.
On the floor members clustered to-
gether in little groups and discussed
the situation, anti-silver men being ap-
parentfy moro active in their missionary
work than the men in favor of free
coinage. Messrs- Tracey, of New York,
Harter, OF Ohio, and Hoar, of Massachu-
sets. were ubiquitous. The leader of
the silver forces, Bland, of Missouri,
was not prompt in making his appear.
ance, evidently confident that his able
lieutenants would map out the work OF
the campaign without his personal su-
pervision.
After the introduction OF several bills,
Bland, who had entered the hall, called
up the special order, it being the bill
for the free coinage of gold and silver
and for the issue Of coin notes. Tho
bill having been read in full Bland
took tho floor, but was immediately
taken therefrom by Tracey. 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 charge upon tho Treasury.
Dingley supported this point, which
was antagonized by Bland and was
overruled by the chair, who stated that
tho matter had been examined at the
time of the report of the bill from the
committee.
On motion of Mr. Bland resolution
was adopted, providing for an evening
session to- might and tomorrow night
for general debate on the silver bill.
MI. Watson, of Georgia, wanted the
same time granted in the discussion to
members Of the Third party 1--WE
stand here" said he, ''as an independ-
ent party
"We are all independent on this oues-
stion," rotorted Mr.. Bland amid an.
plause and laughter. Mr.. Bland was
the n permitted to proceed with his
speech.
"This BILL" said Bland in the open
ing discussion, proposes to go back
hundred years in the matter of coinage.
1t was just hundred years ago that
wise founders of this Government
adopted what we call the double
standard. They provided for coinage OF
gold and silver without limit at the
minis of the United States; that silver
should be coined tho same as gold,
and should have the advantages and
the same rccognition: q silver dollar
should consist of 37l 4-16 grains of
silver, precisely tho dollar of silver
that is called Tor in this bill.
"ThiS bill provides that gold and
silver shall be coined at ratio fixed by
the act of 1887, which was called the
ratio of IL to l, or more exactly it is
1898 to 1. This bill provides that gold
and silver shall be equal at the mints.
Gin order that this equality should be
preserved it is necessary that silver
should be put on the same plane in re-
gard to the issue of certificates at the
mint as gold. To-day the law provides
that gold bullion may be taken to the
mint of the United States and certifi-
Gates issued to the owner, or that he
may be paid for il in money. He Is not
required to wait for its coinage"
Mr.. Bland here sent to the clerks
desk letter from the director of the
mint. dated March l6. 1892, stating that
the cost of the coinage of silver would
be about one cent and half per dollar
and that S45,000,000, in round figures,
could be coined every year.
In the course of his argument BLAND
stated that he had acceded to and would
propose, laJer on, an amendment to that
portion of the bill, providing that coin
notes shall be issued as rapidly as bull
lion is deposited. He claimed that the
whole fight over this issue is between
capitalists who demand interest and
people who demand money instead OF
interest.
Bland denounced the periodical at
tempts made for the international con-
ferences and international agreements
every time free coinage of silver is pro-
posed "Are we to be shackled here"
he asked, "by the apathy Of the govern.
ments Of other nations? Is our tinan-
cial system to be regulated, not by our
own ideas of justice and our own con-
veniences, but by tho conveniences of
other nations? The moment this Gov
eminent declares for free coinage of
silver 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 it everywhere
tho world over. Gold and silver have
been the servants of civilization ever
since civilization began. They are twin
brothers, and when you sever the liga-
ture both are dead. Before gold can
leave this country, there must be some
other form of money to tako its place.
1t cannot disappear until some other
money takes its place.
Gold is tyrant; gold won't tolerate
any competition. IIe must dominate,