The morning call., 1893-10-04
agreement with other nations, and 1t was
possible Cleveland might entertain this


idea.
Then the Brussels monetary conference
was brought ito the discussion, and Alli-
son of Iowa, who was one Of the delegates
10 the conference, said that while nearly
all the delegates favored the utilization of
gold and silver they had not been ready to
adopt the coinage of silver in their own
countries. He denied that the conference
had. adjourned without action. The Eu-
ropean countries now expected the con-
ference would reconvene, and instead OF
those Governments not being Interested
in the question there was not European
Government which was not watching
daily every step and every movement
taken in this country.
Power R.) of Montana then addressed
the Senate in opposition to the bill. The
influence of aggregated capital, he said,
found no difficulty in engaging the SYM
pathy of the President. and he had in turn
with his great power commanded the sub
servience of the legislative branches. Ii
the stubbornness shown by the executive
had been restricted to himself it would
have been powerless for evil, but uufor-
tunately the Presidents dictum carried
weight with if, and his commands were
obeyed by considerable number of gen.
tlemen who were 80 situated as to be
potential in crusade against silver. The
advocates of silver are not here, said
Power. to cry "havoc and let slip the dogs
of war;" but to protest against the grievOus
wrong of demonetizing silver. The tenet
of silver faith to which its advocates clung
was free coinage at the ratio of sixteen to
one," or at least such legislation on that
basis as would restore silver to its former
place with gold as the money of the con-
stitution. That was the shibbeloth of the
friends of silver, and on that tney put
themselves on the country"
Palmer of Illinois then addressed the
Senate. Congress has been in session
eight weeks" he said, "and it has become
very interesting inquiry whether the SEN
ate would al any time dispose of the ques-
ton now before 1t. l can see no end
to the discussion and know Of no method
by which it can be terminated. The
Senate ought to act and il ought to vote, !"
said Mr.. Palmer, and then he proceeded
with his argument in favor of repeal.
"The time will come" he declared In clos
ing, when the country will insist that the
Senate shall declare In some way or an
other that it will govern itself"
Teller of Colorado inquired whether the
Senate had not been able to make all nee
essary laws up to the present time.
Palmer thought perhaps ii had, but he
confessed that he was astonished to find it
impotent.
Dubois OF Idaho thought that whenever
in no
try in favor of any measure the Senate
would respond, but the Senator from Illi-
nois knew as well as he did that the Senate
did not want to pass an unconditional re-
peal bill.
''rhere is no sentiment in favor of it."
said Dubois. II honestly believe there are
not ten Senators here who are anxiously
desirOus Of passing an unconditional repeal
bill. IL there was strong sentiment here
they would pass it. There is a manufac-
tired sentiment o. tbs outside, but IL does
not exist here"
"If the Senator from Idaho and those
Representatives" said Voorhees,, earn
estly, will give us a chance to vote we
will answer the question whether there
are ten or four or five times ten Senators
who will vote for the unconditional re-
peal of the Sherman act"
II will say to the Senator for Indiana
replied Dubois, defantly. you have
power to resort to any end you see fl. but
the minute you undertake to resort to
unusual methods it will be demonstrated
how futile it is to endeavor to pass an un-
conditional repeal bill"
Palmer regarded the declaration OF
Dubois as an appeal to the barbarism of
the Senate. us it true, as matter of
constitutional law" Palmer asked, "or is
it consistent with the nature of this body
that the only ultimate means of securing
a vote is that we shall quietly announce
that we are engaged in the great business
of sitting each other out? Seriously" con-
tinued Palmer. sit is very serious thing.
and l .protest-not that Senators shall
yield any of their rignts-that the time
will come. and is very near, when the
sensible men Of the country will say tina,
the Senate must adopt some law by which
it can govern itself"
After a short executive session the
Senate adjourned.