Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-23
A LIVELY DEBATE
On Mr.. Pefer's Resolution Precipi-
tated in the Senate.
Mr.. HILL MANIFESrS INDEPENDENCE.
He Breaks Away From the Leader.
ship Of Mr.. German.
AT FOOT OF THE CALENDAR

The resolution which was introduced yes
terday by Senator PETER calling on the Sec
retary OF the Treasury for information as
TO whether the national banks Of New
York. Boston and Philadelphia were con-
Quoting their affairs at present in violation
OF law regarding the amount Of their re-
serve. the payment Of checks and the rates
of interest charged. stirred UP In the Senate
when 1t came up for consideration today
debate which was the sharpest one Of
the seesion. The cause Of Mr. PefYer was
sustained by Senator Hill Of New York.
who broke away from the leadership OF
Mr. German and Mr.. Voorhees, and. in
direct opposition to the position taken by
them. made several speeches which showed
that there Is a rift In the ranks
When the resolution first came up Mr..
Hoar was on his feet and moved a refer
his speech he practically admitted what is
generally known. that the banks Of these
cities are open In the violation Of the tech
that there were times. and that this was
one OF them, when to enforce the law
strictly would cause infinitely more dis
tress In financial circles than to allow the
matter to go for the present.
senator Hill Speaks.
This position was also taken by Mr. voor-
hees. who spoke in the highest praise and
commendation of the integrity and ability
OF the controller Of the currency. 1t was
then that Mr. Hill took the loor, and plain
ly took position which indicates that he
has opinions and views Of his own that are
not to be nodded by those who have mere
tofore been considered the leaders of the
democratic side in the Senate The debate
became a very interesting and warm one
ana as the news OF 1t began to spread
through the Capitol the Senators who had
been In their committee rooms or in the
cloak rooms began to take their seats en-
the floor, and the galleries filed up, and
even number of the Representatives came
over from the House.
Mr.. German made a speech, in which he
outlined the result of strict enforcement
and appealed to the patriotic feelings Of
the members to rise above personal views
and partisan positions and allow the Senate
through its finance committee, which now
could only afford relief, to take this matter
into consideration and act on 1t.
The debate was not on party lines, but
rather on the silver and anti-silver lines,
though this was not distinctly held to, ac-
cording to the general belief Of the positions
of the Senators.
Text of the Resolution.
The full text of the resolution which
caused the debate is as follows: Resolved
That the Secretary of the Treasury be di-
rected to inform the Senate
First. Whether. and in what respect, the
cities Of Boston. New York and Phlladel-
phia are being now conducted in violation
of law.
Second. Whether said banks are paying
depositors' checks promptly in lawful mon
ey.
Third Whether said banks, or any of
them, are demanding rates Of interest
higher than those provided by law for the
loan Of money or in discounting notes and
bills.
At the Foot of the Calendar.
The discussion on the resolution was par
ticipated IN by a great many of the Sena-
tors on both sides of the chamber, and
was still In progress when the morning
hour expired. Mr.. Hoar demanded the reg
ular order and this action places Mr. Pef-
fers resolution at the foot of the calendar
from which 1t can only be taken by a vote
of the Senate