The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-03-23
THE SILVER ISSUE
Bland's Free Coinage Bill
Now Being Debated.
BIG ATTENDANCE THE FIRST DAY
Mr.. Harter Got Excited During His Speech
and Ohoksd Mr.. MoKaig,
BIG ATTENDANCE THE FIRsTDAY

Fire in the Folding Room of the House
EnIivened the Evening Proceedings-A
Lighted Cigar Thrown Among Some
Papera the Cause.-The Damage Done
Will Amount to over $40, ,OOO-Repre-
sentatives Bowers and Bouk Create a
Little Amusement.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The debate
on the Bland Free Coinage bill was begun
in the House yesterday morning. There
was large attendance Mr. Bland MO J
opened the debate in favor of the meas
ure. He was followed by MIR. Williams
(Mass.), Democrat, who represented the
anti-silver element of the Democratic
party. Both speeches were loudly ap-
plauded. Among. the other speakers
were Harter (Ohio), Rayner (Md.) Taylor
QlL), Hopkins Qll.) all anti-silver; Epes
(Va.l Crawford IN. o., for the bill, and
De Forest (ConD.). against it.
MIR. Harter caused a sensation during
his speech. He is man of strong con-
victions and a robust, vigorous speaker,
who hits straight out from the shoulder
and who doesn't mince his words. He
was speaking of the silver barons who
come here and take you by the neck and
say it is gold and not silver which is
depressing the price of the white metal.
Mr.. Harter was standing in the center
aisle on the Democratic side. Mr.. Nc
Kaig, with his back to him sat directly
in front. AS Mr.. Harter used the words,
'they take you by the neck, " he stretched
forth his hand and clasping Mr.. McKaig
tightly around the neck he shook the
Dapragaptatfua uo tIxy
that the House, which appreciated the
situation, broke into screams of merri-
ment.
1t was not until then that Mr.. Hart er
realized his contretemps. When Mr..
McKaig recovered from his confusion he
was furious with anger. He said some
thing in an undertone that was not au.
dible to the galleries, and Harter, who
is one of the most amicable and agree
able men in public life, Immediately
stopped in his remarks and began to
apologize. Mr. McKaig at first was so
angry that he refused to accept the apol-
ogy, but he finally became Modified and
soon joined as heartily in the laughter as
those who surrounded him.
When the House convened last evening
| the hall was filed with smoke from 9
| fire in the folding room, caused by q
| nghted cigar among the documents. This
is the third fire this session. The fire
was extinguished at 8 o'clock. Severa
hundred books were destroyed and a few
engravings. The damage will probably
reach $4,000.
O'Donnell (Michigan), the first speaker
of the evening, opposed the Free Coinage
bill. Weadock, Democrat (Michigan)
favored the bill, and said that interna
tional monetary conferences had hat
their day on this question. Bowers, Re
publican (California), favored the bill
and said he was willing to go with tn,
Democrats when they were right.
He created laugh by offering 81 il
greenbacks for $40 gold piece go an.
believer in the silver standard. Mr.
Houk (Michigan) turned the laugh OF
Mr.. Bowers by accepting the tender, anC
said that the page who made the trans
fer could keep the odd dollar. VIM
Democrat, Georgia. also favored tn
measure.
Covert Dem, N. W spoke against tn
bill Lewis Dem, Miss and Post (Rep.
Ill.) favored it. At 1890 the House ad
journed.