Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-11
ONE TO REPEAL THE SHERMAN Law.
The Other as Substitute for Free
Silver Coinage.
MIR. RAYNER FIRST SPEAKS.
THE HOUSE.

yer will be on every mans tongue for the
next fortnight. as the conference has prac-
tically agreed to limit the debate to that
period Of time-the debate to begin imme-
diately after the reading Of the journal
today.
After the reading Of the journal Mr.. Will
son CIV. Va.) offered for present con-
approved July IA. 1890 (the Sherman act).
Provisions of the Bill.
1t provides that so much of the act ap-
proved July IA. 1890. directs the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to purchase from time
to time silver bullion to the aggregate
amount Of 4.5oO,0 900 ounces. or so much there
Of as may be offered in each month at the
market price thereof. not exceeding 81 tor
Sn IA grains of pure silver, and to issue
In payment for such purchase treasury
notes of the United States. be and the
same is hereby repealed. But this repeal
shall not impair nor in any manner affect
the legal tender quality of the standard
silver dollars heretofore coined and the
faith and credit of the United States are
hereby pledged to maintain the parity of
the gold and silver coin of the United
States. at the present legal ratio, or such
other ratio as may be established by law. :,
to offer resolution looking to the order
Of procedure.
mentary question. He wished to know
how the bill was to be considered. Was it
to be referred to a standing committee?
Was 1t to be considered In committee Of
the whole? Or was IL to be considered In
the House as in committee of the whole?
The Speaker replied that in the absence
of rules it was for the House to determine
the method of Its consideration.
MIR. BIand's Order.
Mr.. Bland then presented the following
order:
1T is ordered by the House that H. B.
No chon ha foly for tv,,v, lkofa
sideration and considered for fourteen
days. During such consideration night
sessions may be held for debate only. at
the request Of either side. The daily SEES
Sn Gleeea aS am ana a.
on the bill to be given to general debate
under the rules of the last House regulat-
divided Between the he two sides E Sc as ths
Speaker may direct. The last three DAYS
OF o., debate may be devoted to the consider
herein provided. under the usual five-min-
ute rule Of the House as in committee CT
the whole House. General leave to print
The vote shall be taken first
e ehe an eon amendment s prCyidins for
ate vote to be had on similar amend
ment proposing a ratio OF II to /; If that
fails. on one proposing a ratio of IS to /;
If that fails. one proposing a ratio of 10 to
to l. If the above amendments fail. IL
shall be In order to offer an amendment
storing the standard silver dollar, common
ly known as the Bland-Alison act The
vote then to be taken on the engrossment
or on the bill itself. II all amendments
shall have been voted down, and on the
final Passage Of the bill. without other in
tervening motion.
Meaning Of the Order.
Mr.. Henderson Qowa) inquired as to the
meaning of the order so far as 1t referred
to the division Of time between the two
sides.
The Speaker said that the right Of recog-
milton rested with the chair, and he would
recognize gentlemen on both sides Of the
question.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Ohio) suggested that there
were more than two sides to the question.
Mr.. Simpson QNan) said that in some
manner there appeared to be so many sides
to the question that the republicans We're
not able to distinguish themselves from the
democrats any more. 1t was right that the
popuiist party should have an allotment of
time; and he suggested that the members
Of that party be given three hours.
Mr.. Henderson Howa) gave notice that
the republicans were going to control their
ing to be two sides. both controlled by the
democrats.
stood the question II resolved itself into
one between the friends OF free silver coin
age and those opposed to 1t. He objected
controlling his part Of the time. He was In
favor of free coinage. (Applause)
Mr. Bland demanded the previous ques-
Mr.. Reed (Maine) inquired whether. If
the previous question were ordered, there
would be any time allowed for debate?
The Speaker replied that In the absence
of rules there would not be.
Mr. Reed said that a proposition had been
presented, which had been agreed upon by
9th Of thn
constitution of which this House knew
nothing officially: and 1t was now proposed
to adopt that proposition without the slight
est debate.
He recognized the Importance Of the sit
uation, and had the proposition been simply
to repeal the purchasing clause of the Sher
man law he could see the wisdom OF the
House coming to a vote at once.
Mr. Bland said that he had no objection
to debate after the previous question was
But Mr.. Bland and Mr.. Cannon entered
into a controversy which was so animated
and withal SO unintelligible that both gen.
tiemen We're called to order by the Speaker.
and. without any agreement, Mr.. Bland
again demanded the previous question.
Mr.. Cannon had some difficulty in secur-
ing the yeas and nays. but was finally sue
cessful: and the previous question was
ordered-yeas. 2l7: nays. 100.
The Free Coinage Bill offered.
Mr.. Bland then offered his free coinage
16 to bill as a substitute.
Mr.. Rayner (Md) was the first speaker,
and he was an imprisoned one. He was.
he said, IN favor of the unqualified repeal
Of the purchasing clause of the Sherman
bill, without any condition or proviso what
soever. He was not in favor of purchasing
another ounce Of silver or the coning Of it
at the present ratio or any other ratio.
Mr. Rayner said that what kept silver
and gold at parity was misplaced con-
fidence of the people; and in his opinion, If
the real condition Of the treasury were
known there would be no necessity for the
repeal of the Sherman law-it would repeal
itself. The present condition of affairs, Mr..
Rayner said, was far worse and more seri-
Gus than a mere panic in the stock market
The law had brought about distress, suffer-
ing and stagnation, which called IN the
loudest tones for its repeal. The constitu-
ton nowhere establishes gold and silver
the money of the country; there is no OBJ
legation to coin silver nor to purchase and
store it for the benefit of the miner
While referring to the platform of the
democratic convention, Mr.. Rayner was In
terrupted by several questions. In re-
Spouse, he said I'm closing: Il know that
the deciarat tons of that document have
been differently construed. accorJltn. to
the views of the various gentlemen eX-
pounding them. But as for me, in this
supreme hour of nv cOuntrys need, I am
not blinded nor intimidated by the glitter
ing words of convention declaration"
Mr.. Brown followed Mr.. Rayner. He was
in favor of the coinage OF silver. but in
view of the havoc wrought by the Sherman
law, ard of the demands of the demo-
cratic platform he would vote for its re-
dent has, in SO far as he can, redeemed the
pledge given in the platform, said Mr..
Brown, and it now remains for Congress
to do what it can to redeem those pledges.