The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-09-08
The Decentralization or SILVER.

Speech Of lion. John l..
BretZ.
In Congress, August 20, 1898.
From the Congrs sssonai Record.
Mr.. Brets said: Mr.. Speaker, II WAS
my intention up to within few mo-
ments ago to say nothing on the pending
question, but at the proper time cast
my vote, believing that my constituents
and the country are far more Interested
lin the way | cast my vote than any
speech might make. But, Mr.. Speaker,
Iin the light Of traRspiriDg events, II may
not be amiss for me, in q few brief sen.
tences, to explain the several votes
shall cast on the different amendments,
and finally on the main question in
volyad in the Wilson bill, ii the voting
should reach that point.
Mr.. Speaker. have the honor to rep.
resent on he floor Of this House more
than a hundred and seventy thousand
honest, Industrious, aud frugal people,
lchiefly engaged in farming. They are
the peer, in point of intelligence and
Loyalty TO their count and their coun-
ltry's welfare, to their neighbor, his pros.
Iperity, his peace, and his happiness, 40
any constituency represented here. They
have twice honored me with . seat on
the floor Of this House. They have com.
Imissioned and delegated me as their
agent to vote and act for them in all
matters concerning their sacred welfare
lguaranteed to them by the constitution,
and I am here for that purp0se. Had
!, lthey suspected that would in the least
violate that trust they would never have
D given lne their confidence and suffrage.
Having intrusted me with their rights
land made known in some degree theil
r views on certain important questions,
] lam, as far AS ! know how. going to be
, equally as honest and conhding with
: them. This they have a right to expec
{ OF me, and anything short OF that on my
: part would be inexcusable.
D Mr.. Speaker. l owe my election 10 I
. seat in this House in considerable
Q measure to my attitude on the silve
: question next to that oftarif Ny peopl'
{ believe in the use Of both gold and silve
y las money, aud so instructed me wheI
3 they constituted me their lawful agent
. | accepted in good faith their confidence
< land instructions aud promised TO carry
glthem out the best / could.
n MY promise is my bond. sealed will
u honor, and intend TO carry out tha
'fIpromse y made to my people the very bes
/ know how and trust all the rest TO then
all would rather have the proud satisfac
l. Ition of feeling that had stood by thos
r. who sent me here than 10 he the recipi
% Ient Of the applause Of all other power
g lon earth. l will not forsake my peopl
J. in this the most trying time Of thei
Lives, when hunger and nakedness an
D. the approaching days Of fall and wints
\ are around and before them, withou
of first having made an honest effort
II lcarry out their wishes on the pendin
N question.
s. | subscribe TO the doctrine that
o. ."public Office is a public trust" and, thu
q. believing, | stand here to carry out
le the best OF my ability that trust, and n
10 man dare modest me in the discharge {
(. that duty, and am sure none can max
D. me afraid. Sir, | am the keeper Of m
30 own conscience and would rather be
* peace with II than try to reconcile
may be wrong, my people may be wron
IN on this silver question; but II we q
= awrong we will get right after awhil
4 Ny people have not delegated to me Il
apower TO do all their thinkin. they Q
N reading aud thinking class Of peopl
II, even though they follow the plow, sho
In the plane. or swing the hammer.
Mr.. Speaker, an not here 10 critici
n the president, who in part helped ele'
"A but who apparently entertains somewh
y different views on the question to tho
=. OF mine and those OF my constituen
no We admire him for his courage and ste
nj ling honesty. Nor do l intend TO !,
re Ipugn the motives Of any member for |
action on this question. I accord to ea
a n Of them the same degree OF honesty
,re purpose that claims Tor myself. ha
ne noticed many members since the CO
en vening Of this congress who heretofo
az stood for tree coinage now opposed 10
,er Even some OF my colleagues have chan
of ed their views, aud have no doubt
nd that they are honest. Ii may be Il
az. new light has dawned upon their min
me or that they have received instructio
/ 4 from their constituents OF revolution
DIV thought on the money question cir
,u. last Novembe Der.
,rk | am not going to plead an estopl
ore against any gentleman who has ent
,an tained views different from those M
IA. expressed. nor do I intend that sue
IN plea shall hold good against me or
/ cd constituents IL upon further investi
wo ton we receive new aud better light
,dy the question. For the present,
m Speaker, 1 have seen no satisfact,
lea. reason given why should change
nm. attitude on this question with affirf
tive instructions from constituents.
4 serr in casting any one or all Of these 3
&c, erai votes II will be in an honest efTor
oui. do some good for the people whom :
lion resent. II I err at all would rather
An. error was on the side Of the people Il
lnusfoot stosu