Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-15
BLAND BOOSTING HIS BILL
Trying to Strengthen it With
an Amendment.
SILVER MEN CHANGE THEIR PLAN
Republicans Taking No Part
in the Fight.
Bland viii Endeavor to Mould the aIea-
sure in Accordance With the Views OF
the Southern Members --- CuIberson's
Plan for the Security of the Gold Reserve

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.--After o-dav's
debate in the House of Representatives
on the Bland Silver Seigniorage bill tho
nnal settlement OF the question seems as
far eff as ever. Mr.. Bland was anxious
to close the general debate at o'clock
Tomorrow afternoon, but the opponents
OF the bill would not agree to the propo-
sition. There seems now little prospect
OF a vote before Friday or Saturday.
The Speaker has list of about 40
names of those who desire to speak
upon the pending question, and if time
is given to each of them they can easily
consume the remainder of the week.
There are being exhibited, however,
some signs of impatience by members
who believe that more urgent legis-
lation demands the attention of the
House. An effort will be made to reach
an agreement tomorrow, by which a
limit may be placed upon debate and
time set for the final vote on the passage
of the bill.
TRYING TO STRENGTHEN THE BILL.
To.day's discussion served to bring
out extreme views on the subject Of
finance as well as revealing the fact that
the friends of Mr.. BANDS bill do not
regard it with absolute satisfaction. Its
full effect upon the financial system of the
government has been pointed out both by
those who befriend it and those who
oppose 1t, with the result that its
author perceives its weakness in many
particulars. AS consequence Mr.. Bland
submitted another amendment to-day,
in accordance with the views of south
ern members who wish to see the bill
become a law. His new proposition
provides that treasury notes when re-
deemed shall not be reissued, but that
silver dollars be issued in their stead
from the amount of silver coined under
this act. In this way he proposes to re-
tire the treasury notes and put silver in
without touching the coined
silver held in reserve for the redemption
of silver certificates.
TO MAKE THE GOLD RESERVE SECURE.
The amendment was suggested in the
speech delivered to-day by Representa-
tive Culbcrson (Tex.) Mr.. Culberson
is chairman of the judiciary committee
and stands ready, it is understood, to
oppose Mr.. Carlisle the moment he at
tempts to discharge any of the govern
ment's obligations with the gold now in
the treasury He was. therefore listened
to with close attention. His contention
was that under existing conditions the
banks can at any time demolish the
gold reserve in the treasury by insisting
upon the redemption of treasury notes.
They can then force another bond issue
and again take gold from the treasury
with the same notes, If they are to be
Mr.. Culberson's speech, followed by
Mr. Bland's amendment, is thought to
signify that this plan is to be put in
execution if the silver men can muster
sufficient votes.
SILVER MEN CHANGE THEIR PLAN.
This change of front on the part of
the silver men is not altogether obiec-
to the opponents of the bill, for,
in the first place, it comedies the right
of the Secretary of the Treasury to re-
deem the outstanding coin certificates in
gold, thus insuring their value, and de-
prives the bill to some extent of its
harmful tendency toward initiation. The
original purpose of the bill, which was
10 afford immediate relief to tho treas
ury, has become more obscure under
the gradual transformation of its char
acter, until in its present condition, as
amended by Mr.. Bland, it is difficult
10 see Just how the treasury is to derive
any immediate benefit at all from its en-
lctment into law except as the retire.
ment of the treasury notes and the sub
of silver reduces, in the opin-
on of the silver men, the amount of the
governments promises to pay.
In many respects the bill is thought to
have been improved by the changes sug-
yested. 1t will, however, make it moro
than ever necessary, 1t is claimed by
hose who side with Secretary Carlisle,
either to provide for an issue of short
time bonds or else to permit the Secre-
.ary to use the gold on hand to meet the
pressing obligations of the government.
OPPOSITION SO FAR VERY WEAK.
The desire of those who oppose Mr..
Bland's bill to continue the discussion
after tomorrow is due TO the fact that
80 far the opposition to the bill has been
If the weakest kind. Mr.. Tracey IN.
~, who has appeared as the leader of
.he opposition, either has not mustered
lis forces or he is holding them in re-
serve. This afternoon, although the
House waited several minutes for
iome one to take the floor in opposition
% the bill, no one volunteered to speak.
The silver men began to clamor for
yote. Mr.. Warner IN. W, was finally
and delivered rather SEN
ational speech, in which he declared
himself in favor of free coinage, and the
circulation of both gold and silver upon
heir actual value. The Issuance of
notes, he thought, should be
eft to the banks and all laws relating to
egal tender should be abolished.
REPUBLICANS TAKING NO PART.
The Republicans have practically re-
used to take any part in the discussion,
nd though it is understood they will
ote against the bill. they have an
ounced through Mr.. Reed that as the
ght seems to be an administration one
hey purpose letting the Democrats settle
for themselves.
IR. RAYNER WILL OFFER AN AMEND
MENT,
Representative Rayner contemplates
ffering an amendment to the bill
uthorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ry to issue six per cent bonds up
D $50,000,000, running 10 years,
a case the necessity arises. Mr..
iayner intended his plan as COM
romise with Mr.. Bland, but the latter
! not ready to accept i: as such. Under
lese circumstances Mr.. Rayner said to-
light that he had not yet fully decided
'hether to offer the amendment and let
tnEa ifa Nhannoe