The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-27
Last Days Discussion Participated In By the
Foremost Advocates of Both Sides Of the
Great Financial Question.
EX.Speaker Reed Shows that the "Pan.
ic"Is Due to Tariff Reform Agitation.
Bourke Cochran Says 1t Was Caused by Too
Much Currency-Speecaes by Mr.. Wilson.
Mr. Bland and Other Members
CLOSE OF THE DEBATE.

Speeches in the House by Reed, Cochran,
Bland, Wilson and Lesser Lights.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26-The floor of the
House of Representatives was the scene of
a battle of the giants to-day. lt was the
last twenty-four hours of the debate on the
financial question. and both sides had re-
served their ablest speakers for the closing
act in the iong-drawn battle. Ex-Speaker
Reed. tho eloquent leader of the Repub-
licans. was one of the first speakers. j. X.
Williams, Democratic member OF the last
committee on coinage. brought his coli
leagues to remember their party platform.
while Bourke Cochran. of New York. re-
peated she incidents of the last Demo-
cratic national convention. in which lie
played such an important part. and argued
that the true Interpretation of the plat
form was not that sought to be gwen by
the gentleman from Illinois. William
Wilson. the author Of the repeating bill.
and Richard Z. Bland. the author of the
substitute measure upon which the first
vote will OCCUR. closed the debate for their
respective sides in excellent speeches.
The speech of Bourke Cochran was o
strong, forcible speech, but it did not
abound IN those flights of oratory which
have made him famous. he failed to de-
vote any considerable portion Of his argu-
ment to answering Mr.. Bry an. although he
had been heraided ns the man held IN re-
serve by the repeating forces In answering
the young Nebraskan. His argument that
the bankers are o debtor rather than o
creditor class, and that the banks of New
York would be benefited millions of dol
lars and the day laborers OF the country
robbed of IS per cent. OF their pay
nhu fah ny Rru0 nd
Bland was on ingenious one. but when the
Nebraskan inquired why. if that were the
case. the bankers of New York are de-
nouncing himself and Mr.. Bland. while Il.
V. Powderly, the representative OF organ
lied labor. IL supporting their policy. the
query brought down the applause OF the
House. Mr.. Cockran's brilliant retort that
the bankers believed honesty Go be the
best policy. was loudly appiauded. bnt his
Subsequent comment that Powdcriy isfour-
suing rhe came line Of mental aberS>tion
as Bry IN and Bland was not received by
the House as q rotort In accordance with
the best ethics of parliamentary courtesy.
During the entire day the galleries ana
lobbies of tho House were crowded 20 their
utmost capacity. On the floor of the House
were Vice President Stevenson. Secretary
of the Treasury Carlisle, Secretary OF the
Navy Herbert. President A. j. Warner or
the Bimetallic League. Senator Palmer,
Senator Cockrcli and several other men,
bers of the upper body who have taken q
prominent part in the hnaneial discussion
in Congress.
After the opening prayer this morning.
the Speaker announced the order OF the
days proceedings. Under the hour rule. be
said, the time in favor of the bill would
close with the member from West Virginia
Mr Wilson, and the time in opposition to
it by the member from Missouri Mr.
Bland.
The first thirty minutes was assigned by
Mr.. Wilson 10 Mr.. Clark. of Alabama. He
believed that it was the duty of Congress
to fix the ratio ct 16 10 ]. In his opinion
there was no difference in the ability of
the country to carry out silver coinage.
between 16 and q % ratio. If the country
could do it with a ratio of 20 TO |. it could
do 1t with a ratio of 10 to i. Still he would
not cast q vote that would paralyZe CT con-
tinue the paralysis of industry all through
the country. and IN his section there vas no
question about the necessity of Immediate
action In order TO restore confidence. Inc
trouble was thought to be due To the pol
icy of purchasing silver under the Sher-
man law and whether that belief was cor
rect or NOT, he would vote to repeal that
law. Mr.. ClarKe's time was called at 1880,
and the floor assigned to Mr.. Reed. Of