The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1893-09-01
GOLD VS.. SILVER.
what Some Of Legislators Say
of it.
SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE SILVER
Hill a Bi-Metalist, The Wilson
Bill Passed.

The chief interest in the senate
centered in the speech of Senator
Hill, who defined his position on
the financial question in an adj
dress of nearly two hours duration.
Nearly every member of the senate
was in his seat and an attentive
listener, and many members crowds
ed over TO hear the distinguished
senator. II am a democract,"
which has now become proverbial,
was recalled today by his forcible
declaration of the financial ques-
ton, when as usual, he epitomized
his silver views in the single SEN
tence: "I am a bi-metalist." The
chief surprise Of the speech Of
Senator Hill was the position he
assumed minimizing the impor-
tance of revision of the coinage
ratio and his suggestion that inter-
national bi-metalism might be
sought by holding out an induce
ment to Latin union countries to
recoin at a profit rather than at
loss. It gave greater satisfaction
to Western free coinage people than
even the most sauguine had expec-
ted from his argument. There
was a dead stiffness in the senate
when the speaker referred to the
statements of President Cleveland
attempting to lead the country to
monometalism, and made his COM
ment thereon, concluding with his
defiance of presidential domina-
ton. II shall refuse" said he, "to
follow in the footsteps of any adj
ministration that seeks to place
the democratic party in false po-
sition; that seeks to lead it away
from democratic principles and
platforms and into the very camp
Of the enemy. The president must
rely upon republican votes to car
ry out any such suicidal policy"
The democratic senators looked
gloomy and unhappy, but smile
Of amused satisfaction covered the
faces Of republicans. Continuing,
Hill said:
"There are those who do not
wholly agree with the president in
his diagnosis of the malady now
affecting the body polite, and do
not hastily join in the roseate con-
clusion that the financial millen-
MUM is to come the moment the
Sherman law is. removed. There
are some who have given the sub
iect attention who believe the
cause of the present depression is
deeper and beyond the Sherman
bill; that its foundations were laid
in the evil hours of 1878, when the
country unwittingly laid aside the
financial policy that had been its
guide since the foundation of the
government. The existing finan-
| cial disturbance is attributed to
three distinct causes:
"First--It was the natural, inc
vitable result of many years ol
real or fictitious prosperity.
"Second-Some portion of the
present panic could be traced to Q
concerted effort on the part O.
monometalists to produce it in or
der to discredit silver.
''Third-But no matter wha1
else may have contributed tc
the present financial condition, i
cannot be denied that the silver
purchase law has been ct least il
part, and possibly most largely in
strumental in producing the ex
| listing complications"
FURTHER DEBATE ON THE QUESTIONS
Sickles of New York ther
spoke for unconditional repeal
The rules of the house were repor
ted by Catching, and without be
ing read were ordered printed
TAYLOR of Indiana spoke for bi
metalism. Breckenridge of Arkan
sas referred to the existing strin
gency and alarm in the country
He would vote for the repeal of thu
{ purchasing clause Of the Sherman
act. McRae believed the parity 0
gold and silver could be main
neutrality-suspicious. legislation anc
attributed the present depression
to the evils of the Mckinley tarif
law. DolIiyer advocated the Viii
son bill.
Sipe favored repeal and Richard
son of Tennessee free coinage a
any ratio.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session Of tn
house Hermann, rep, Of Oregon
spoke against the Wilson bill an
in favor Of free coinage of silvel
and Branch, dem, of North Care
lima, followed in the same lin
Bynum, DEM, of Indiana. the
McKeighan ind, Of Nebraska, an
DooIittle, rep. Of Washington, al
proved the Wilson bill. Hulicl
rep, of Ohio, advocated bimeta
) ism, and charged the present d
preston upon the democrat
, party for its attitude on the tarii