The record-union., 1893-08-19
BEFORE CONGRESS.
The silver Question Discussed in Both
branches.


The Silver Question Discussed in Both
branches.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-The Senate
was presided over to-day, in the absence
of the Nice-President by Harris. A long
communication from the Secretary of
the Treasury was presented and read on
the subject Of gold and silver payments.
1t states that the department would not
and could not exchange silver dollars for
gold, if requested to do so.
The bill for the increase of national
banks circulation was then taken up.
Allen Of Nebraska advocated the adop-
ton Of the amendment offered by him
last Wednesday to suspend the interest
on bonds on which increase circulation
is based. In his judgment the bill would
commit the country to a policy of the
continuance Of the national banking sys-
TEN, and he believed the time had come
when safety required the overthrow of
that system and wiping it out of exist
ence as speedily as possible. Nine
tenths ofthe people of Nebraska were, he
declared, unalterably opposed to any
thing looking to a perpetuation of the
national banking system.
Stewart addressed the Senate. and gave
a history of the recent developments in
the silver question at homo and abroad.
lie hoped the pending bill would be
stripped of every Objectionable feature.
and then passed.
Mcpherson, from the Finance Com
mittee, argued against the amendment as
calculated to defeat the whole measure.
Henderson opposed his colleagues
amendment, and favored the immediate
passage Of the bill. He totally disagreed
with his colleague that nine-tenths of
tho people Of Nebraska were opposed to
the national banking system.
Pugh saw no reason why the Gov
eminent should not resume its proper
constitutional power, and issue all cur
roncy which the people needed in their
business.
Wolcott inquired what authority there
was in the law for the issue of clearing
house certificates in New York to the
amount of 837, 900, coo.
Henderson did not believe there was
any.
voorhees, reported from the Committee
on Finance bill to discontinue the pur-
chase of silver bullion and declare it to
be the policy of the United States to con-
tinue the use of both gold and silver as
standard money.
There was necessity for action on the
national bank question. He had heard
the taunt that be was seeking to do some
thing in the interest of national banks.
He was seeking nothing of the kind. He
tn hi
power, Interest and cupidity in order to
increase the circulating medium aud
thereby meet the pressing wants of the
laboring people. 1t was not bill in the
interest of the banks.
Vest. on behalf of the minority of the
Finance Committee, presented substi-
tute for the repeal bill. The substitute
fixes the number of grains of silver in
coins at 1914, pure silver, per dollar, and
proportionately for the half-dolIars,
quarters and dimes.
VOORHEES, gave notice that he would
call up the bill and address the Senate
on Tuesday.
Discussion of the bank bill was re-
sumed. and PETER made speech against
the NATIONAL banking system.
Afte% further discussion vote was
taken on Aliens amendment, and it was
rejected-yeas II, nays 80.
The next question was on the amend
ment offered by Cockrell for the rodemp-
ton OF, at their face value and accrued
interest, such , per cent. bonds as may
be presentad for redemption, and to issue
greenbacks to pay for them. The amend
ment was opposed by Mcpherson and
Sherman. Cockreu replied to Sherman
and advocated the amendment.
After some further debate the Senate
went into executive session, first allow
ing Butler to offer an amendment to the
bank bill repeating the 10 per cent. tax
on State banks. When the doors re-
opened the Senate adjourned till Monday
IN THE HOUSE.
WAsHTNGToN, Aug. lS.-The voice OF
the East was heard for the first time in
the House to-day in favor Of the free coin
age of silver. The speaker was Joseph
c. Sibley, new member from PennsyI-
vania, and his speech was the sensation
of the day. Sibley is the only member
OF the keystone State who is opposed to
placing the United States upon single