Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-25
PETER TOOK THE FLOOR.
Two Senators With silver Loads on Their
Minds Cause Amusement for the Staid
Old Fellows.

Old Fellows.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August "a
One Of the most amusing incidents ever
witnessed In the Senate occurred to-
day. Even the worry Of the financial dis
tress could not restrain the august MEM
berS, and all of them Joined in the mer-
riment caused.
Mr.. Stewart announced in the early
part OF the week that he would address
the Senate on the silver question yester-
day, and on the day previous Mr.. PETER
announced that be wsuld talk or Thurs
day. So, as soon as the morning busi-
ness OF the Senate was completed to-
day Mr.. stewart arose, and addressing
the chair was accorded the floor by the
Vice President. Mr.. PETER, who had
been in deep thought, did not see this
little Incident. and IL was not until Mr..
Stewart had arranged q nice pile OF
documents upon which he could con-
yenieutly arrange his typewriter man
uscript that he appreciated what was
going on. He struggled to his feet, but
before he could speak the white bearded
advocate Of silver had said in
a loud tone: "Mr. President, we
have now reached the fork
in the road" He got no further.
Mr.. PETER had interrupted and appeal
ed TO the Chair to sustain him in his
right to the floor, which he claimed he
was entitled 70 on account OF the an
nOuncement that he had previously
made that he would speak to-
day. Mr.. Stewart thought that
ID
out Of yesterday that be should speak
to-day. Both OF the Senators were very
anxious to get their silver load of their
minds, and both arranged neatly their
manuscript and were about TO open
what might be called free silver duel
when Mr.. Faulkner called their atten-
tion to the situation.
The question OF which Senator had
the right 20 the floor was argued by
some Of the members; In the meantime
both OF them remained on their feet.
The Vice President held that Mr.. Stew
alt having been recognized. he had the
door.
But Mr.. PETER was still set on max
ing that speech, and finally Mr.. Stew
art, in a magnanimOus but sort Of l.
knOw-he-Won't dO-it tone, said: "Well,
il the Senator wishes to take the floor
from me he can do So" and be turned
away with q rather hurt and injured
expression.
"I don't wish to take the floor from
the Senator" said Mr.. PETER, but l
would like very much 10 deliver this
speech to-day"
The Senator from Nevada yields the
floor TO the Senator from Kansas, and
the Senator from Kansas is recognized" !"
said Vice President Stevenson, and then
the Senate rOared.
Mr.. PETER took the floor and made
his speech. He declared himself in
favor Of "free and unlimited coinage OF
silver, l6 TO 1; that or nothing" He
had no compromise to offer, and would
accept none.
He went on to argue that IL was the
government mintage that gave the loyal
tender quality 10 gold, as well as to sill
yer; and he illustrated his argument by
the exhibit Of a gold eagle and bar OF
gold OF exactly the same weight and
purity. The eagle was legal tender in
payment Of all debts, but the bar was
not.
"Why is it," be said, "that this coin
is money and that this bar is not?"
He wished TO hold up the bar 10 view
Ito the amusement OF the Senate) he
could not lay his hand on IT, 81 do rot
know where the bar is" he said, with
an air Of surprise; and be was advised
by Mr.. Butler that he had better keep
his eye on 1t.
Having recovered the bar, he said
that the coin was money and the bar
was a commodity, and that therefore
they were not of equal value. The coin
was worth $40 and the bar was worth
only IS. So SO far as l am concerned,
the sherman law shall never be repeal
ed unless we have the law OF our faith
ers restored on the statute book. The
unconditional repeal Of the Sherman
law would mean the gold standard.