The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-07
The Senate Refuses to Consider
Repeal Of Sherman Act.
SENATOR HILLS FIRST DEFEAT.
The House Filibusters Successfully
Against the Anti-Option Bill.
The President Transmits the Documents
Relating to Hawaiian Annexation
Proposition Of 1845-Democrats OBJ.

WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 6.-Before the
routine morning business had been con-
cluded in the senate today Hill of New
York presented a petition from the busi-
ness men of RochesterrN. Y, irrespective
of party, in favor of the repeal of the Sher-
man act. He said, in connection with the
presentation of the position, that he de-
sired TO submit for the consideration of
the senate some remarks on what was
known as the silver question.
The vice president asked whether there
were any objections. SAerrnan of Ohio sug-
gested that the SENATOR from New York al
low the ordinary formal business to con-
clude first. and that it woald probably be
better and be more in accordance with
usage in the senate. Hill. resuming his
seat, said he had no objection to that.
Routine business was thea resumed and
concluded.
Hill then took the floor, but before
beginning his remarks Hoar of Massa-
chusetts inquired as to the status
of the bill to repeal the Sherman act.
Hill said that he stated last week that
during the morning hour today he would
make motion to take up the bill. and he
contemplated making such motion. It
was true. however. he had been informed
that other senators desired to speak on
the subject and he thought he ought to
submit his speech and then press the
question to a vote. He should make the
motion which he had contemplated but
he should ask to have the bill laid on the
table for two days and then make it q
special order so that the other senators
who desired to speak might have an op-
portunity to do so. Hill then began his
speech. He said:
When the sherman act WAS passed two and q.
half years ago he was exceedingly shocked and
alarmed, and four months before his election TO
the senate he had gone to the city OF New York
and there publicly taken issue against the prin.
ciples of the policy embodied i'll that law, en-
deavoring to arouse a public sentiment that
would demand its repeal. So that, instead of
silence and apathy, there was now in New York
entire unanimity in favor OF the repeal of the
Sherman act. He said the platforms OF the two
great national parties at Chicago and Minneap.
oils demanded the use OF both gold and silver
standard money. L; was his duty to the city
and state of New York to ask in their behalf an
immediate and unconditional repeal of the Sher-
mar law, which repeal would bring q season of
financial calm instead of widespread fear of a
monetary crisis. The Democratic party was
pledged to repeal the Sherman law, and the
party should live up to its pledges. He knew
there would be some reynlsiol and some dis
content He knew the Interests of the silver
miners might be disturbed but that price would
have to be paid. In compliance with numerous
requests made to him he desireG to have the Dill
made the special order for some day that might
suit the convenience OF the senate.
Hoar said: "Let the bill be taken up
first"
Vest, Democrat, of Missouri, gave notice
of an amendment providing that silver
dollars of 4l21 grains in weight shall be
minted in the separate mints of the
United States, as provided in the act of
1887, by which coins and al: silver dollars
heretofore coined of that weight and fine
ness. shall be legal tender for all debts,
public or private, except where otherwise
stipulated in contract, ana authorizing
ana directing the secretary of the treasury
to purchase from time to time silver bull
lion to an amount not less than s., ,000, 900
nor more than $4.00O.00O a month, and
cause 1t to be coined monthly as fast as
purchased.
Merrill of Vermont said he had listened
attentively to the very interesting speech
of the senator from New York, but failed
to discover whether he favored bimetalism
of the present ratio or silver or not.
Stewart of Nevada said he objected to
discussion.
Morgan of Alabama demanded the reg
ular order of business and the vice presi-
dent decided that the regular order of
business was the motion Of Hill to take
up the bill.
Hill said: 81 intend to press that mo-
ton and only yield at the suggestion of
. t-zn 4
to be heard"
Chorus of Republican senators: "No,
not on this side"
Hill continued: Il move that the bill be
made the special order for Thursday
next"
Vice PRESIDENT: "The bill must be first
taken up before it can be made special
order"
Morgan of Alabama again demanded
the regular order and insisted that untin-
ished business was the Indian BILL
German of Maryland said: LET us agree
that on Thursday next or any other day
the matter may come up"
Sherman said: The whole matter turns
on the question whether tie senator from
New York proceeds to move for q consid-
Grafton of the bill first"
Platt of Connecticut asked, sarcastic
ally: What has become of the petitions ?"
[Laughter.I
After good deal of confusion and par
liamentary wrangling the question was
brought to direct vote on Hills motion
to take up the bill to repeal the Sherman
act, and the motion was defeated. Fol-
lowing is the vote in detail:
YEAs-2a
Bryce Gibson Merrill
Cafferty torman Palmer
Davis Hale Proctor
Dawes Hawley Saerman
Dickson Hill Vest
Faulkner Hoer Villas