The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-04
SENATOR GoRMAN SPEAKS.


He Replies 10 senator sherman. and
Charges That He Has Abandoned Pa
trioiism and il Playing POIities-A
vigorous Speech That Attracted close
Attention.
In the Senate on Saturday last Senator
German replied to Senator Sherman, dur
ing which he charged the Ohioan with
abandoning patriotism and playing pol
itics. He made vigorous speech through
ont, and was given close attention. He
said that he could not help remarking the
very remarkable attitude of the distin-
.uished Senator from Ohio, who was the
acknowledged leader on the other side of
the chamber That Senator's anxiety for
the repeal of the Sherman act was, he said,
perfectly well understood. But he knew
that it was not possible to pass the repeal
bill except as bipartisan measure. And
vet that Senator now attempted to take
party advantage of the delays, of the mis-
takes (if there had been any that had at
tended the course of the bill. That dis
tinguished Senator Mr. German continued)
tells the Senate and tells the country that
the pending measure will be important !;
that it eliminates the further use of silver
as money.
Mr.. Sherman-I did not say word to
that effect On the contrary, | spoke
strongly in favor of silver money as long
as it does not demOnetize gold.
Mr.. Gorman-If [ have misunderstood
the Senator from Ohio all the Senators
near me seem to have misunderstood him
also. The Senator said that the passage
of the bill, as it now is, would not give the
relief to the country which the country ex-
poets.
Mr.. Sherman-I said that it would not
meet the expectations of the people.
Mr.. Gorman-Aud that when the bill
is passed the Treasury will not be in a
condition to meet the wants of the country,
OF TO keep the finances in healthy cOndi-
ton, and that the only relief is in the issuing
of bonds, not only for the purpose of main
tanning the parity between the two metals,
but for the purpose of paying the ordinary
expenses of the government
Mr. Sherman-Will the Senator allow
me to ask him how he proposes to meet
the deficiency in the revenue?
Mr. Gorman-I will come to that. If
understood the position Of the Demo-
cratic party in the beginning of this con-
troversy it was that we pledged ourselves
to the repeal of the Sherman act.
Mr. Voorhees, lin an undertone)-The
purchasing clause of it.
Mr.. Gorman-Ao, sir, the whole law.
Every newspaper that breathed the Demo-
cratic breath, every member Of the Demo-
cratic party who had a right to consider
and carry out the views Of the party, was
at first for the repeal of the Sherman law
take it that other Senators, like myself,
were in favor of the absolute repeal of the
Sherman law-the whole of it. And do
not think | am mistaken when | say that
the distinguished Senator FROM Ohio, in
speech in his OWN state, denounced the re-
peal Of the entire Sherman law, stating
that he would favor the repeal of the pur-
chasing clause alone
Mr.. Sherman believe that is what
this bill processes to do.
Mr.. Gorman-Yes, that is what the bill
processes to do. The President of the e..
S, anxious as he was for its repeal, was too
astute statesman when he knew that
he had not the power in his own party, or
with his own party, to repeal any portion
of that law because the division IS so
sharp among both parties that neither has
the power to deal with the question effect
ually) was compelled to take the terms Of
fered by the Senator from Ohio. That
Senator held the key of the position. You
undressing Dir. Shernan) dictated the
terms to us. 1t was the only thing that
we could get you to agree to for the relief
of the country. Then, Mr.. President, this
Congress met, and we came herewith n
Senators elected as Democrats-only one
half of this body-and with the perfect
knowledge on the part of every intelligent
man that this party was hopelessly divided
on this question Gas your party is hope
lessly divided. 1t may be said, in truth,
that large majority of Democratic Sena-
tors was against the unconditional repeal,
even of the purchasing clause of the Sher-
man act. ana IL was knOWH THAT you hdu
ID or Is Republican Senators opposed to it.
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION.
1t was believed, and state 1t as fact
perfectly plain to everybody, that clear
majority Of this body was not in favor of
unconditional repeal, but wanted some
modification. Well, Mr.. President, COM
plants have been made of the delay in this
matter. am glad of the opportunity to
say and | say it in justice to those who
fought for this bilD that those Of US who
intended to vote for its final passage be-
lieved that we were in the minority, and
the delay for weeks became necessary so
that we might convert enough men to our
side to pass the bill The Senator from
Ohio was too astute a man to try to en-
force its early consideration in this body.
The fact was that we were not ready for
its consideration.
But as time went on, and as the debate
became sharp Git has been great debate;
the annals of Congress will not show one
eouai 10 it1. doubt was expressed as to