The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-12

met now with the suggestion that we legis-
late plecemea, that we repeal the Sherman
law and take our chances of securing any,
thing in its place which shall meet the
pledge OF the platform to coin both silver
and gold, for this is the cause OF the panic
upon u.s.
THE voting masses of the country"
said Bland, "may become panic-stricken
on election day If they do. I'm afraid
those like the gentleman from Indiana
will feel the force of that panic.'
Bland sketched briefly the history of
financial legislation in recent years, and
asserted the same cry of going to silver
basis had been raised against tie bill of
1878, with which his name had been con-
nected. He sent to the clerks desk and
had read an extract from the report OF
the British Parliamentary Committee on
Indian Currency, 10 the effect that, in its
opinion. the repeal of The Sherman pur-
chasing act would be followed by further
depreciation in the price OF silver. ''and
yet we are deliberately asked here" con-
tinued Bland, ''to vote to bring about
decrease of Is cents Der ounce in the price
of silver before providing for the restora-
tion Of its coinage. No man can defend
that vote before his constituency who is
in favor of free coinage"
Ou the question of ratio, Bland argued
in favor of 16 to 1. He said: ''If the
UnHed States would maintain the parity
of gold and silver on that ratio the world
would buy our products. We have prof.
erty to sell and should induce purchasers
to come. France maintained gold and sill
yer at parity on ratio of 15h to l for
seventy years because she had property to
sell. AT tHat ratio France had been able
to maintain the parity of the two metals
all over the world, and that was proof shat
the Government Of the United States could
do so at the ratio OF 16 to 1. II Europe re-
fused 10 accept that ratio the effect would
be to divert from Europe ali the trade Of
every silver. producing country in the
world. Could England" he asked, with
stand this withdrawal of trade? Certainly
not.
1T was bimetallism that had made the
manufacturers of England so strong and
prosperous. Western Europe would have
to come to the American standard OF aban-
don its commerce with the United States
aud with all civilized countries. The
money requirements of the United States,
with lis wealth, industry and the energy
OF lis people, were equal 10 those OF Eng
land, France and Germany combined. and
the whole civilized world will have to
look to this country for its future none
tary supply; and yet." said he, with
vehemence, I'VE are asked here to-day to
lay the bloody hand of confscation on
millions OF our population in or
der to satisfy the greed of Eng
land. Will Congress do It? Will
you trample down the interests of your
own people and destroy the value of one of
the precious metals simply to crafty the
greed OF Wall street, the mere agent of
Lombard street? II cannot, 1t shall not
be done. [Applause.] Speaking for the
mass Of the people of the Mississippi
Valley and of the people west of il. l say
you shall not do il renewed applauseL and
anybody or any party that undertakes to
do it will. in God's name. be trampled, as
il ouei 10 oc, Il ine Gast OF conu uemnation
now and in the future. CONTINUED ap-
plause on the floor and in the galleries. l
speak as a Democrat. but vet as an Ameri-
can above Democracy" fCheers.]
Here Bland dramatically spoke the
words given at the opening of this dis
patch, and in conclusion said, addressing
his words to the Eastern Democrats: IF
you demonetize silver the responsibility
will be yours, not ours" [AppIausel
Pence Populist) of Colorad, was the
next speaker, and with his opening sem
fences he attracted the close attention of
the House and retained it to the end. No
other man has succeeded in so impre ssing
himself upon the favorable consideration
OF his associates on the floor at such an
early period CT his mem 5ership. Refer
ring to Raynor'S remarks as to the Gov
ernment acting the part of pawnbroker
for the silver miners of Colorado and
Nevada, he said: 1t nigh. be that the
gentleman knew more of the pawnbrokiDg
business than he Qence) did, or it might
be on account of the practice of the
Treasury Department to jew down men
vino brought silver there 10 sell, because
it was now beyond question that such
was the policy Of the department.. All
OF the reasons assigned for DEM
ocratic success but one were incorrect.
IL was because it had declared uu-
equlvocally for the reconciliation Of
silver that it had succeeded. 1t was not
his purpose to follow up the evolutions Of
political parties. Elected by the people,
brave, buoyant and hopeful, he knew
their Industries had been prOstrated BY
the course of the past two admin istra-
tions, and by the base surrender of those
who had been elected on silver platforms
and on silver pledges.
Wheeler of Alabama closed the discus.
sion Tor the day with plea for larger
volume Of currency, and the House ad.
journed
The Democratic caucus committee OF the
Senate met TINS morning and was in ses-
sion all day without coming to any con-
clusion as to plan for the work of the
Senate.
XX/HV HE WENT Axxy.xy