The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-02-09
FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS
DISCUSSION ON THE SHERMAN SILVER
ACT IN THE SENATE.
Lively Tilt Bstween Senators Sherman and
Teller on the subjsct-Anti Option Bill
Came Off With Flying Colors
in the House.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3,-The ques-
tioD of the repeal of the Sherman act,
or at least the suspension of the silver
bullion purchase provision OF it, was
unexpeo tedly precipitated IN the SEN
ate today by Senator Teller. He made
presentation of some petitions on the
subject which was the occasion for
launching out into a discussion of the
whole question and expire sed conf
dent assurance that the repeal of the
Sherman act WIS not among the prob
abilities of the present session. He
commented with some bitterness upon
the newspaper statements as to the
determination of Cleveland TO have
the Sherman act repealed.
Senator Vest replied that newspa.
pers were unworthy of consideration,
and said the character and position of
10 public man would be safe if re-
lance were to be placed on such
statements.
| S6DdlOI uhol bO IL Nv
not moved to take up the bill because
he was not satisfied there was ma
jority in its favor, and then notice was
given by Senator Hill that he would
treat that question next Monday, and
by motion take up the bill ana pass it.
A feature of the proceedings was
Sh ~ mr. linH thrAut that I.Int ~
would be- applied in the senate, II nee
essary, 10 give effect 10 the will Of the
majority.
Inc house bill to ratify and confirm
| the agreement with the KickapoO
Indians in Oklahoma aud appropriate
$64 $50 for tnat purpose Was passed
anu a conference asked
Senator Teller in presenting a couple
of petitions on the silver question adj
d. essed the senate Oh the subject, He
declared that in his Judgment there
was a decided majority on both sides
OF the cham Der opposed at the time to
the repeal OF the act and that also III
his opinion it could not bo made IL
political question at the next session,
whatever might 10 the inclination OF
the in omiug president. He quoted
from all article in yesterdays New
Yo' k Heral to the effect that the pre-
sldent desired TO have the Sherman
law repealed at this session
aud said he was unable to determine
what the president elect had to do
! with this session. He would not as
sert that the article was authorized
and yet it co Imported with the general
tenor of reports. He had never seen
any thing that indecent in the publ.
cation OF it that should be traced any
where near to the Incoming admins.
tration. In conclusion Senator Teller
reasserted his confident belief that il
was not among the possibilities tor
the sherman act to be repealed this
session.
Senator Vest felt compelled, as 1.
Democratic senator, to notice what
had been said about President Cleve-
land. He had no authority to Speak
for him and did not agree with him
on the silver question, but had never
suspected any indscretiOn on Cleve-
LANDS part in regard to that or any
pu bile question. The character OF no
public man is safe if he were h Id re-
sponsible fer newspaper utteraDces.
Senator sherman said when he was
assured there Vas majority of The
senators in favor of the bill reported
by him to suspend the purchase OF
silver bullion he would move to take
it up.
| senator Gray inquired what better
evidence there could be of the DISPOSE
lion of the senate Than a roll call.
Senator sherman replied that it
| bn ,iu hi nnh n nf nt her
senator who believed the bill could be
passed to move that it be taken up.
| He had taken means to ascertain the
sentiments of senators aud was not
satisfied the bill could be passed al
| the presfLt session.
Senator Hill said that in his judg-
ment the best way to test the sense OF
the senate was by direct motions, and
he gave notice that on Monday next
during the morning hour he should
move to take up the bill TO which Sen
| ator Sherman referred.
At3p. m business was suspended
| in order that a feeling tribute might
TO made to the la 10 Senator Barbour
of Virginia, after which, as further
mark of respect the senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The friends of the anticipation bill
obtained - victory in the house today.
Although the speaker decided against
them and ruled that the house could
noC at present non-concur in the SEN
ate amendments, and thus throw the
bill into conference when report
would become privileged. The house,
not Notwithstanding the determined tight
of members of the ways and means
COMMITTEES, referred it to tine committee
on agriculture, which is favorable to
its passage by n majority approxim mat
ing two.thirds. 1t is a debatable
question whether If a two-third vote Is
required it could not be obtained.
The speaker laid the bill before the
house with senate amendments, AMI
proceeded to deliver decision on the
uoint of order that amendments must
| first be considered in commits tee OF the
who'll. He stated that the bill was
laid before the house for reference
only. unless it be house bill with
senate amendments which did not re.
uuire consideration in committee OF