Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-07
SD CONGRESS.
Senator Hills Motion to Take
Up the Bill
For the Repeal Of the Sherman Act
Defeated, % to AZ.
spseeh b Senator Mill in which Ne Ostlinss
Mis- Pesitiea.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Sin the Sepate
Hill presented petition favoring the re-
peal of the Sherman act. He said he should
make a motion to take up the bill, but
should ask to have the bill laid on the table
for few days, then made special order.
so that other senators who desired to speak
might have An opportunity TO do so. Hear
remarked that making the bill special
order would not give the measure any
special advantage. Hill said there was now
in New York an entire unanimity in favor
of the repeal of the Sherman act. Hill
quoted from the platforms of the two great
national parties at Chicago and Minnesp-
oils. Both, he said. demanded the use of
both gold and silver as the standard of
money.
1t was his duty, he said, tc city and state
of New York, 10 ask in their behalf the
immediate and unconditional repeal of
the Sherman law which would bring sea-
son of financial calm instead of i wide
spread fear of monetary panic. 1t was his
higher duty to advance and snbstantiate one
controlling reason for the repeal of the
Sherman act, its repeal was necessary.
safe, and for the day sufficient step
toward free bi-metailie coinage.
ne Interest VI New lpEh IN tllt Snlii
and silver question is identical with the in
tercst of every other state; but the real
community of interest between money
metal states and every other state is like
wise undeniable- Silver purchases, he said,
could never prove the professed object. 1t
is clear that silver purchases are the polar
opposite of free silver coinage. They are
effective contraIies to free b-metallic coin
age, whether minted or not.
Four years ago, he said, the treasury
had s2ls, 100000 in gold. now the sum has
dwindled TO 100000 ,o0o and revival of
the Bland Allison act would keep up the
shrinkage. The Sherman law was the un-
dermining power of the treasury, if not
to continue the discharge of the national
debt, at least to meet the parity obligations
of the government, and was operating an
enormous shrinkage in the business of the
country and its total circulating medium.
Nothing could establish parity except
free hi-metaliic coinage thar which has
created AMI maintained their party in past.
The repeal of the Sherman law was, in his
opinion, early the action needed to test and
fulfill the endcavor to reach free himetallic
coinage by The route of an international
agreement. BY the repeal of the Sherman
hlw, action by Great Britain at once be-
comes inevitable. The United States treas
ury would then be relieved of its great dan
ger of run on the treasury gold.
In closing, Hill said that in compliance
with numerous requests made to him he
desired to have the bill made a special or
der for some day that might suit the con-
vcniencc of the Senate.
Vest gave notice of an amendment pro-
yidlng that silver dollars, ~ 1-2 grains
weight, be miHte,l in the several mints OF
the United States as provided in the act of
1881, which coins, and all silver dollars
heretofore coined of like weight and fine
ness, be legal tender for all debts public
and private, except where otherwise stipula-
ted in contract and directs the secretary
of the treasury to purchase, from time to
time, silver bullion mot less than two, nor
more than four, million ounces a month)
and cause it to he coined monthly AS fast
as purchased.
Morgan demanded the regular order of
business. and the Vice President decided
that the regular order was the Hill to take
up the bill. After good deal of confusion
and parliamentary wrangling, the question
was brought to direct vote on Hills mo-
ton to repeal the Sherman act, and the
motion was defca,ed-yeas, 90; nays, t2.
The Maine senators voted aye.
The credentials of Stewart Nevada for
the term beginning on March 4th next,
were presented and placed on file. The
Senate bill for the payment by the govern.
ment of local taxes on the land held by
Indians is severally passed. The House
bill granted additional quarantine powers
and imposing additional duties upon the
marine hospital service was taken up. the
question being on the substitute reported
from the Senate committee on epidemic
diseases. The substitute was agreed to,
and the bill as amended was passed. A
conference being asked, Harris, Berry,
and Chandler were appointed as the Senate
conferees. The House car-coupler bill was
taken up. After some discussion the bill
went over without action The Senate
after an executive session then adjourned