The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-31
Discussed BY Representatives Of Both
Political Parties.
WAS VERY SHARP JOINT DEBATE
Between Joseph II. Walker and George
Il. wiiiiams-George FREQ Williams
Tells why He Left the Republican
Party--Lays Hard Times TO silver.

WORCESTER, Mass, Nov. I. The great
est political rally held In this city since
the war was the joint debate held in Me-
chanics' hall, last night, between Con-
gresham Joseph ii. Walker, the Repub-
lican champion, and Hon. George Fred
Williams. Over 5000 people were in the
ball and crowding the stairs that led to II,
and fully twice that number were unable
to gain admittance.
Mayor Marsh presided. He announced
that each speaker was to have As minutes
for his openiog and 90 minutes for re-
joinder. He then announced the subject
for debate, "The Cause OF the Late Finan-
cial Stringency and the Present Business
Depression
MIR. Walkers Argument
Mr.. Walker was then introduced. He
said il WAS a pleasure il he could do any
thing by telling the truth to assist his
fellow citizens in casting their votes in
telligently. The question is, What caused
the late panic? and, secondly, What has
caused the present depression! These are
distinct and related, but far from being
the same.
"When the Fifty-frst congress met 1t
was under peculiar circumstances. At
least three in five of the voters desired
free coinage, and on all hands IL is ad-
mitted majority Of the house and senate
were Of the same opinion. There was an
other body which desired that silver
should not be used rs basis of circula-
tion, but only as people desired to use it,
as currency in their pockets. 1t was i'm
possible to prevent the use of silver, but
they hit upon plan to coin it at its gold
value.
''The law of 1890 was passed only to pre-
vent the unlimited free coinage of silver
In the Democratic party l2 in Is voted for
free coinage, and only 81 or % Republi-
cans voted for it. Only about IL or 20
Democrats voted for sound money. 1t was
necessary TO kill free coinage to have
sound money. The Democrats voted for
the Bland bill, which would give $4,000
more than the Sherman bill. 1t is the Re-
publican party alone that Is to have the
credit Of the repeal.
''In regard to the cause of the panic the
Sherman bill was the last straw on the
cameps back. But the tariff was the load.
The Democrats have condemned the Nc
Kinley bill TO death, and now it is in
prison with PAD Democrats standing guard
until.they can execute it.
''The Mckinley bill gave you work.
After the election of 1892 the capitalists
departed with their money for Europe. In
Lawrence and Ware not one-half the
wages are paid as were when Harrison
was president. If you will release from
prison the Mckinley bill, you will have
work tomorrow and you know it,"
Mr.. Walker continued about the Rdvan-
tages of the tariff. when my friend fol-
lows me, he Will confuse everything say.
The tariff is the same as your trades
unions. 1t keeps up your wages all over.
II wages are not as high In other places as
here, yours will go down" This closed
Mr. Walkers opening.
Mr.. williams Turn.
Hon. George Fred Williams was then
introduced He said he was not called on
to refute all the arguments his opponent
may advance, but to discuss the question
he was called to discuss IL the gentle
man wants to discuss the tariff, II 1t is still
live issue. the speaker said, he would
come here and discuss il; but the question
is the panic and business depression.
"The Mckinley bill is now in full effect,
but it does not operate in bad times If
the fear of change in tariff was the
cause Of the panic, the first place ii would
appear would be among the manufacture
ers; but behind them were the jobbers,
who countermanded orders because the
money strngency made them fearful they
could not pay their bills. OF 800 failures
reported by Bradstreets, only per cent
pretended t3at tariff legislation had any
thing TO do with the failures, and ~ per
cent gave money stringency as the
cause"
The speaker said he left the Republican
party when il went over To the enemies of
sound finance. Cleveland promised sound
currency in lSsi He did not succeed, be-
cause both parties were against him. In
1883 he was candidate again, aud the
alleged guardians Of sound money, where
were theyi They made their bid for the
silver vote, which has since brought them
To their knees in repentance.
"The Republicans admitted six silver
states for the sake of the IL Republican
votes they would gain in the senate, and
this was enough TO Offset the whole vote
of New England. The Republicans then
admitted the enemies OF sound cdrrency
into the house. Having admitted these
enemies there was but one result, and
then began the bargaining away Of sound
money in which you, sir Cunning TO Mr.
walker). took the leading part"
Mr.. Williams quoted from Mr.. Walker
where he had denounc,d "a silver, and rea
an interview with him published in the
Worcester spy, ia which he said the bill
would make the rich richer and the poor
poorer, "and them" continued the speaker
'he went back to Washington aud voted
for silver. IL was in the next session he
got so excited defending silver that he
took of his coat and called it pure poll
ties Free Coinage was bargain between
tariff and silver men. From the day the
DILL was passed there has been dstrust
at was Democratic president that
called special session to repeal the bill,
aud the will OF the Democracy was exc
cuted i'm that call, and Republicans sa
around, refusing To join. ia the cloture.
The question has now been settled in a
Democratic senate. and settled right. OuF
leader has announced compromise. is sur.
render"
walker Again.
Mr.. Walker then spoke in rejoinder. He