Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-23


ducers OF silver TO surrender
their rights TO its free coinage,
/ In exchange for the right to sell four
and one half million ounces per month
OF bullion, the SentOr from Ohio and his
followers on that side Of the chamber
has been willing and anxious ever since
/ 10 break the compact, repeal the con-
/ sideration on which the compact was
/ made and leave their victims of mis-
placed confidence empty-handed with
out either the privilege OF coming their
silver or selling Ii as q mercantile COM
modify TO the government. The act
was not intended in good faith for the
coinage OF silver at all. On the contrary
| Ii emanated from the enemies OF silver
mOney and it's purpose was to degrade,
dlshonOr and disgrace this one OF the
precious metals, until il could
NO LONGER HOLD ITS PLACE
with the gold as q part Of the specie
basis OF this country aud OF the world.
| In reducing siler TO a merchantable COM
/ mody on a level with the products OF
the field and farm and issuing treasury
certificates on IL according TO It's
market value there could be but one
effect on the dignity and stability OF
that great money metal. It reeled and
staggered under the blow until now its
enemies predicted with JOY It's speedy
! and total destruction.
Mr.. voorhees, said that he spoke In no
partisan vein, but yet it was with great
satisfaction that be quoted that not a
single Democratic vote in his chamber
was cast for the act which bore the
name OF the Senator from Ohio. DE
thea quoted the yea and nay vote oy
which this most dangerous makeshift
passed the Senate. He wanted the
grave responsibility OF ievery unsound
principle Of finance which such meas
ure created to be met before the Amer
lean people by those who were shown in
the record 10 have assumed II. As a
firm believer in bi-metallism and . sup
porter Of the coinage Of both gold and
silver without discriminating against
ether metal, Mr.. Voorhees, said he voted
against the Jassage OF the Sherman act,
aud FOR the same reason be would vote
for its repeal. The outcry In certain
quarters st this time that they who
would vote for the repeal OF this act are
enemies Of silver as money and In favor
of it's demonstration was not only false,
so far as be was concerned, but In the
light OF what had happened In the past,
il was absurd. Beginning with the first
speech he had made in the Senate, and
down to the present hour, be could re-
call no vote or words on the subject OF
the coinage and circulation Of silver
which be would now change or blot
from the record II he could. And now
In this,
THE DARKEST DAY EVER KNOWN
for silver, he aVowed his mistaken
faith that "a would remain forever one
OF the worlds great and potential fac
tors OF finance, commerce, traffic and
daily business transactions. 1t would
neither be demonetized nor driven
away from the homes Of the laboring
classes. II had come down from imme-
mortal ages aud would continue to ex-
ist as one Of the precious metals, up
holding the credit Of nations and bring
ing blessings TO the sons and daughters
OF toll when the scence through which
we were now passing had grown dim In
the light and progress Of distant centn-
ries.
he should vote to repeal the Sher-
man act as be would remove dead fly
from a box of sweet ointment, as he
would abate a nuisance and wipe out
an obstruction to rational, wholesome
legislation. 1t tainted and vitiated the
entire financial system and destroyed
confidence in all business transactions
in every hour il remained part Of the
law.
The question was asked whether q
vote should be given for its unc ondi-
tional repeal, or whether before, a sub
stltute must be agreed upon.
He (Mr. VOrheeS) would at once
eradicate this confessed evil from the
body Of our laws with no other condi-
ton than his right and free agency to
support aud to secure iu connection
with its repeal or afterwards by an in
dependent measure as the success OF
of its immediate repeal and the primary
duty OF the hour might al the time die
tate, a sound financial system, embrac-
Ing the coinage OF silver
ON AN EQUALITY WITH GOLD.
In making this statement he only re-
peated the declaration OF the Chicago
platform on which the American peo-
pie restored to she Presidency one OF
the strongest, sblest, purest and most
patriotic characters ever known to
American history.
There had been no business disturb
anee with silver, he said, until after
the stealthy aud treacherous attempt TO
stab IL to death 10 1873. He submitted
90 the Western Senators that the very
existence and honor Of the true cur
rency required the fair and Legitimate
coinage Of silver rather than its sale as
bullion.
Mr. voorhees, said there were features
OF the situation demanding cousidera-
tion which did not result from the
sherman act. The bitter aud deter
mined assault which had been witnessed
on the present administration TO CON-
pei an enormous issue OF government
bonds had not gone nnheeded by the
American people, nor had the authors
Of the assault and those interested in
its success escaped widespread and in
telligent observation. By breaking the
gold reserve, 1t was supposed the Sec
retary Of the Treasury would be under
the immediate necessity TO issue and
sell bonds to keep the reserve intact.
The attack, there fore, on the head Of
that column was swift and strong.
With intervals OF delay for ample and
skilful protection, these attacks have
been repsated sgai n and again aud
have only slackened ia their frequency
and force since IL was found that the
EXECUTIVE COULD NOT BE coERcED
IN that way. The campaign Of capital
lists, seeking new supply OF interest
bearing government bonds, did not con-