The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-23
A CONARDLY MAKESH|FT.
Senator Sherman So Chara cterizeS
The Compromise Scheme.
WORSE THAN THE PRESENT LAW.
Not n Republican I'm the Senate VIII
Vote for the Measure-The Right OF
the Majority to Legislate-Ihs Parity
Ought to he Maintained.
WORSE THAN THE PRESENT LAW.


man law.
Not single Republican senator will
cast his vote. the senator continued. ".or
any such proposition. 1t is far worse
than the so-called Sherman law OF 1879.
As understand It, it Is violation OF the
public faith aud much more deserving
of the name 'cowardiy makeshift than
is the law which has come TO be known
as the Sherman law. That law has been
denounced rs cowardly makeshift. but
it was as nothing compared TO this I'M
reasonable and outrageous proposition.
"It is proposed continued the veteran
financier, with considerable warmth, ITO
coin the silver which they have purchased
and issue notes based upon the seiguior-
age, which is in express violation or law.
Congress Can Violate n Trust.
"Tbis is like selling wheat stored in
warehouse. 1t belongs to somebody else
aud cannot be used without violating IA
trust. The government purchased sill
yer with note. aud it is expressly
stipulated in that law that the notes
should never be greater nor less than the
cost of the bullion purchased 10 redeem
them. OF course" said the senator, cyni-
cally, congress can violate a public trust
II it CHOOSES, but that does not make it
right by any means. / do not presume
that they will do SO, however, and still
hope they will noi."
"Then you do not think the proposed
coQ,2romise will receive the support Of
the republican side"
1T will not" replied the senator, re-
ceive single Republican vote. AS / before
stated. IL will not bring about any relief
to the business interests Of the country in
my judgment. What is needed at this
time is immediate action"
"What do You think ought to be done
them"
Tic voorhees, bill Tor unconditional
repeal ought to be put through without
any more waste Of time. IL means
great loss to the country every day the
present silver purchase is maintained"
He Would Favor Closure.
"Would you favor closure rule 2"
81 most certainly would. have been
la favor Of such rule for the last
twenty years. The public seems to have
just awakened to the fact that tie senate
was powerless to act against tho ac-
tive opposition of a small minority OF its
own members. Such condition of al
fairs In the highest legislative branch of
our government is absurd. The rules
should be amended"
Mr.. Sherman said this with great en-
phasis and gave evidence OF considerable
feeling on the subject. Then he con-
tinued:-
"lhe right of a majority OF the mem
bers OF the senate to rule cannot be
questioned. La fact, 1t is the cardinal
principle upon which our government is
I hal. l.t III.
needed change In the rules,
was ss much vigor in the
sound money Democrats as has already
been displayed by the silver men In this
fight. In other words, there IL no need
for compromise. There Is u good ma
jority in the senate in favor of uncondi-
tional repeal, and / fail to see
give way TO the minority.
Let them amend the rules in such way
as to give the majority the power to bring
this or any other bill to vote. and tn IN
pass the repeal bill without conditions of
any kind whatever. That is what the
Democrats ought to do aud it is what
they can DO IL they 20 about it in the
proper way"
The Hill Proposition:
"Do you favor the proposition made by
Senator Hill. In which the majority Ia
Above thirty days TO express its opinions
on any bill, at the end of which time
shall be fixed for the fnal vote on the
passage OF the bill to be takeni"
Il do not like that proposition, replied
the senator, thoughtfully. because IL
would defeat many worthy measures. No
time limit should be made NJ all. A rule
should be adopted 10y the senate giving to
| the majority In that body ample power to
| control legislation. The majority in the
sena'e, whetever it may be, Is responsible
for what is done aud should not be under
the control OF the opposition. have
known for many years that the senate
was powerless to act under the present
rules, and hat some such occasion as this
wss needed to bring about n chan ,e.n
Then Senator Sherman added:
Now. wish 10 make few obserya.
tions in regard to what ought 20 be done
for the future. IL the purchasing clause
is repealed, what thenp | do not want
to advise either this congress or
the administration. l have no right at
all TO be weighed in their council. but I
takeit that, whether we are Dem c.ats or
| Republicans, we al are Americans aud
that every American would desire TO do
that which is best for all interests and ali
! inarties. I think there are certain
urgent duties devolving upon the Dsmo.
cratic party ut this time. and, although |
am not their adviser, have the ri ght as
an American citizen to give lthem my
opinion. andI will.
To Prcseivs Parity.
81 take II the first object we have In
view is to Preserve intact the parity OF all
our money. We have now $1,000. 600 or
5000. 900 Of papsr money outstanding for
which we are responsible. We have IN
dertakel TO maintain that at parity
How can IL be donei Ordinarily a small
reserve would he sufficient TO give sec ur-
ity and prevent any fear. but In timrs
Ike these, In my judgment, It IL the duty
OF the prevailing party who have the pow
er OF the government IN their hands and
can exercise that power nc any moment.
70 strengthen the reserve 20 that nobo y
will fear we " ill not maintain the parity
| OF all forms of money in our country