Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-08-22
DEBATE THE HOUSE.

MIR. SpsrrF of Connecticut is opposed
to Free Coinage and Favors the
Wilson Bill.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.-After the read
ing of the journal Ar. Powers of Vermont
took the floor in support Of the repeal of
the purchasing clause of the Sherman act.
He referred TO the Chicago platform and to
the interpretation placed upon 1t by the
various democrats. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania (5iblsy) had referred to the
Saviour of mankind Is the first democrat
and had taken the uttersnces of the Saviour
as his platform; the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts (EvereiD had taken Grover Cieve-
land as his platform and had gone around
his district singing at the top of his voice,
ooh, isn't he dandys"
Mr.. Powers argued that the purchasing
clause of tho Sherman bill was vicious in
principle snd dangerous in application. If
free coinage wers adopted the goldbugs
could corner the market just as easily as
they could to day. 1t did not do merely
to say that the republican party was re-
problem WAS at opcs to suspend the coin
age of silver, which the world has dis
carded, until we could bring the world TO
it's senses. Then the nations of the world
would come to recognize that there YVES
not enough gold in the world to act as
currency, and they would come to a
bi-metallic basis.
Mr. Hooker of Mississippi, spoke against
the repeal, believing that no relief would
come to the country from repeal. The
president had stated, he said, that the de-
preston came from a lack of confidence.
The lack of confidence was not in the great
mass of the people, but In the great money
institutions that were locking up the cur
rancy OF the country. The present depres
sion was not attributable so much to the
Sherman act as to the Mckinley act. The
free coinage of silver would not give abso-
! lutte relief, but it would give relief to very
great extent.
On motion of Mr. Bland, Saturday was
| set apart for general debate on the Wilson
bill instead of debate under the FIVE minute
| rule.
Mr.. Cooper of Indiana spoke against the
| free coinage of silver.
Mr.. Sperry of Connecticut opposed free
coinage and advocated the Wilson bill. He
called attention to the fact that when the
| ratio of 16 to was adopted the fight " as
upon the question whether the ratio should
| be 10. SO or 16 to l. Now the silver men
did not seem to care whether the ratio
| should be 16 or 90.
l Mr.. Cox of Tennessee argued against the
| psndirg bill. Hs was speaking, he said, In
behalf of thu poor colored men of his
| country.
Mr.. Settle of North Carolina said he was
not in favor of striking down silver.
The house then took a recess until
O'clock.
At the evening session Mr. McLauren OF
South Carolina, spoke in opposition to the
Wilson bill and in favor of free coinage o.
silver He eaid the breeze which sweep
the party out of power would be nothing
to the cy clone which would sweep +he coun
try If the democrats were unfatthful to tn
| pledges of the platform upon which the,
had been elected. If the great power o
the chief executive was to be used to strik
down one half our currency 1t was too dea
price for party triumph, and could onl.
be looked upon as party calamity.
Mr.. McDonoId of Illinois said he was il
, | favor of free coinage of gold and silver a
any ratio that might be acceptable. Ii
| would then remove from both their legs
tender quality. But the government shoul
have the privilege of paying every dolla
it owed in coin.
Mr.. Bartlett, New York, said his COZ
stituents all demanded that the puIchssin
clause be unquali6edly repealed. Will
out international agreement there coul
| be but one standard. and that was gold.
Mr.. Stsekdsle of Mississippi argued tbs
the present stegnation was attributab
primarily to the tariff.