Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-15
BLAND WAS CRANKY.
Acted Very: FooIish|y on the
Floor Of the House.
Had Spat with Reed and as Usual
Got Sadly left.
Sergeant. Necessary 10 MAKE Min
Take His Seat.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE House,
in committee of the whole, resumed consid-
Grafton Of the seigniorage bill. Stone of
Kentucky contended that the secretary of
the treasury should have discretionary
power 40 regards the material he uses for
payment Of notes presented for redemption.
He said the secretary of the treasury Swas
strongly opposed to bond issue, but Con-
gress refused to afford him any relief. He
held the secretary blameless, a. the latter
was forced to act against his judgment.
Mr.. Stone Iidiculed the assertion that
there is q plethora of money in the country
and that a bushel of wheat possessed the
same purchasing power today that it had 20
years ago. While taxes and living ex-
penses, he said, remained the same, agri-
cultural products had steadily decreased in
value. The prevailing deplorable financial
condition was due to the unfortunate sys-
tenn which permitted few millionaires to
band themselves together and force the
obligations of the government to be pro.
tested or compel an issuance of bonds. The
existing depression resulted from long
years of Republican misrule.
Reed asked why the Democrats did not
rectify the errors committed by the Repub-
icans.
Stone replied that this thing was being
done as rapidly as possible.
Reed asked what progress was being
made in this work of reform.
Stone said it would be apparent at the
November elections, when the people would
endorse the Democratic party in its efforts
to maintain the governments credit, reopen
closed manufactures an ! abolish the soup
house.
Walker opposed the bill. He said there
had never been standard of value in any
period of the worlds history, not measured
and regulated by grain of gold. Kilgore,
Livingston, Bland and Smith interrupted
Walker with number of questions regard
ing the depreciation of. silver and for some
time q free coinage discussion followed,
Walker being assured that his time would
be extended.
After some time spent in discussing sil-
yer, Chairman Hatch notified Walker that
there would be objections to an extension
of his time. Livingstone and KilRore asked
that more time be allowed, and Bland said
he was willing to grant 10 minutes, not
more. Reed asked that 80 minutes more
be allowed Walker. After some discussion
IL was dKTceu tIlut w dlAcE SuUulu Dc given
an extension of 20 minutes.
Reed Ito Bland. "We will see whether
you will make anything out Of this"
Bland-I understand the gentleman from
Maine Reed intends to break the quo
rum every time that he can get an opportu-
nifty.
Reed-That is just like the gentleman's
understanding of this bill; no understand
ing at all.
Bland-You know you intend to do it.
Reed-Oh, don't make . mere noise.
Chairman-The gentleman from Missouri
is not in order.
Bland-The gentleman from Maine is
not in order. either.
Reed-This is mere noise. After the
gentleman has spoken his speech 81 times
Bland-I rise to my feet. | don't sit
down and mouth my speech -
Reed-You had better cit down.
Bland-Well, will sit down, at the re-
quest of the Chair, not at your request.
You had that opportunity once and hope
you never will have it again.
Chairman-The gentleman from Mas
sachusetts is entitled to the floor.
The Chair was obliged to direct the ser
geant- alarms to seat Mr.. Bland. Bland
resumed his seat, but in a few minutes,
when Walker began reading extracts from
a speech made by Bland, the latter attempt
ed to interrupt Walker and appealed TO the
Chair for protection. Bland persisted in
bis efforts to be heard, until the Chair
again instructed the sergeant alarms to
seat him.
Walker then proceeded with his speech.
Bowers said he believed the country could
stand $50, 900 additional silver certifi-
Gates. He favored the free coinage Of sill
yer. He said he would offer an amend
ment providing for the establishment of
postal savings banks.
Brosius spoke against the bill. 1t was,
be said, but step backward toward the
Danger from which the country escaped
when the Sherman act was repealed. He
vas opposed to further issuance of an in.
ferior money which would add to the diff
entities attending the maintenance Of parity
between gold and silver, and still further
mpefil the credit Of the government. The