The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-11
IN THE SENATE.
Improbable Debate ON the Repeal Bill
-McPherson Defends the President.

Urprohtabfe Debate ON the Repeal Bill
-McPherson Defends the President.
WASHINGTON CRY. Oct. l0-In the sem
ate the resolution heretofore offered by
Allen Pop of Nebraska calling for in
formation as 10 money borrowed by the
United States, If any, since 1885, was
agreed to.
The resolution offered yesterday by
Dolph OF Oregon. calling for information
as to whether China has requested an ex-
tension of time in which the Chinese labor
ers were required by the act of May. 1899.
to register, was laid before the senate.
Dolph started 20 speak in favor off its adop-
tion. when Sherman suggested that the
matter be discussed in executive session.
and the senate went into executive ses-
sion.
When the doors were reopened Hill of
New York presented petition signed bv
Is. 900 merchants of New York asking for
unconditional repeal of the Sherman Raw.
The repeal bill was then taken up. Nc
Pherson of New Jersey spoke in favor of
the bill. He complimented the president
on his prompt action in calling congress
together, and counseled the senate TO take
his advice. lie expressed the belief.
shared in. he said, by two-thirds of the
people of the United States who had any
opinion upon such a subject, that the
Sherman law was the main. true and
in fact, the only visible cause
operating TO produce the recent panic.
After repeal of the Sherman law reforma-
tions of the laws relating to coinage be-
comes duty devolving upon congress.
aud is not at present subject for exeeu-
tive action or interference. It remains TO
be seen whether congress will act wisely
as the president has done; promptly re-
peal the Sherman law; give the nation
chance 10 get back to its normal condition.
restore confidence in the ability of the gov
eminent To maintain its financial poliev.
help the crippled banks to resume; light
again the fires in our furnaces. and start
anew the wheels in our furnaces; then let
congress pause and reflect. In conclusion
Mcpherson said that the minority of this
body should be allowed 10 stand a, an
obstacle TO all other branches of the legis-
lature in giving effect 10 the will of the
majority Of the people could not be en-
dured, and the senate must find a way TO
exercise its constitutional functions or
cover itself with contempt.
When Mcpherson had concluded b;s
speech ~feWAF~ AsAEa hHttnef he aFCusaH
the minority in the senate on the rep.a!
bill of attempting to thwart the will Of the
majority other than BY legitimate debate.
Mcpherson replied that he had not We,
made such an accusation, bat he did no.
know what he would do before the debate
closed.
Stewart then argued az to the impor-
tanee Of unres;rained debate in the senate.
expressing the belief that this govern
ment would be monarchy TODAY mad IL
not been for the senate.
Cockrell OF Missouri resumed his argu-
ment in opposition. He said any inter
national agreement with the governments
Of Europe was impossible. After CockrelI
had been speaking nearly two hours only
eight senators were present On roll call.
however, quorum responded. and Cock
rril continued. He read extensively from
reports If the international monetary con-
ference OF 1851 to show the part taken by
Senator Sherman. who. he said. never had
been given proper credit for his efficient
work in aid of the establishment OF the
single gold standard. To that conference
the United States sent Samuel Rrgsies As
representative. but Senator Sherman vas
in Paris q: the time. unauthorized. and he
was introduced 70 the conference as chair.