Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-08-31
FIFTY THIRD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. August 81, 1893.
SENATE.

A Joint resolution was introduced by
Mr.. Dolph relative to the employment
of skilled draughtsman, civil engineers
and others in the Office of the supervis-
ing architect ofthe treasury, and he made
q statement to the effect that in many
cases where appropriations had been
made for public buildings plans and
specifications have not been prepared,
owing to the lack of sufficient force in
the architects office, and owing to the
Limitation Oh the expenditures of that
to 100000 The chairman of the com
mittee on public buildings and grounds
CAIr. VesD attributed this to the inter-
ference of the committee on approprla-
tions in both houses and partly to
defect of organization in the architects
office, where the attempt was made to
get first GLASS Office for fifth class
salary.
The resolution was referred to the
committee on public buildings and
grounds.
Mr.. Cockrell introduced a concurrent
resolution directing the Secretary of
the Treasury under the provision of
section 234 of the revised statutes) to
issue certificates not to exceed 20 per
cent. Of the amount of gold coin and
bullion in the treasury and to use and
expend the same in payment of inter-
est on the public debt, or any other de-
mand. liability or obligation of the
United States. He said that the pas
sage of the concurrent resolution would
allow the issue of from 25 to 80, 900, 900
dollars in gold certificates. The con-
current resolution was, at his own re-
quest, laid on the table for the present.
Mr.. Voorhees,, chairman of the COM
mittee on finance, moved that the Sem
ate proceed to the consideration of the
House bill for the repeal of the Sher-
man act.
The motion was agreed to. The bill
was taken up; and Mr.. Wolcott adj
dressed the Senate in opposition to it,
Mr.. Wolcott began by saying that it
was unfortunate that this financial panic
was unaccompanied by the widespread
religious revival which invariably il
was said. followed panics. The ready
and complete change ofheart, however,
on the financial question which had
been witnessed in the Senate Chamber
gave evidence that it was time when
men were especially open to conviction.
And if the administration with its petty
spoils and patronage had been able to
make so many converts what might we
hope when the assurances of future hap
piness would not be for four short years
but for eternity. The misfortune under
which the silver men suffered was that
the administration conversion came
first, for if the hearts of Senators
had first been impressed with the
littleness of the things Of this
world and glory of things eternal, the
people, who were to be the sufferers,
would not have been deserted by their
representatives. Except as patronage
might be used to affect Congress there
was no criticism to be made respecting
the policy of the administration. Crit
cism of the Secretary of the Treasury
was also misplaced because he was a
member of the Presidents household
and committed to his policy. Nor was
the President open to structure because
of his message, for he had always been
consistent and persistent opponent of
silver coinage. The West knew last
year that whoever was elected its re-
lance must be placed in Congress, which
had more than once risen above the
personal wishes of the executive.
Mr.. Wolcott concluded as follows :
Measured against the welfare of great
people threatened with the misery and
suffering which must follow the aban-
donment of silver of how slight import
ance were party lines and how paltry
and sordid did patronage and the favor
of the executive appear. The battle
must be fought to the end in this forum.
On other occasions had the Senate in
opposition to the wishes of the
executive and hostile majority
in another body stood firm and I'M
yielding against party and eastern
clamor. No sectional horizon obscured
its view. If the contest for the people
was to be won it must be because
the selfish demands of the East were ar
rayed against the united votes of the
South and the West. They were stand
ing together on this great question to
save the common country from greater
suffering and impoverishment than
even the horrors of war could
infict; and by their united votes
to maintain not alone the standard OF
both gold and silver contemplated by