The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-06
JUDGE LAWSON'S SPEECH.
On the Bill to Repeal the Ten Per
Cent. Tax On State Banks.

Compliments Showered On Him-De-
bate Ended To-day - Vote to Be
Taken Tomorrow - Strong opposi-
ton to the Bill by Democrats-Little
Hope of It's Passage.
Washington, June 5.-The debate on
the bill to repeal the law imposing tax
OF ten per cent. on state bank circulation
closed to-day, and the vote will be taken
tomorrow. The most sanguine friends OF
repeal scarcely hope for victory. The
indications all point the other way. II
the democrats were united on this ques-
tion--or were anywhere near unanimous
repeal would be certain; but they are
badly split up. Some are op-
posed TO any repeal at all; others
are in favor Of repeal with one or the
other of various conditions attached;
some favor repeal not because they
want state banks, but simply be-
cause they think the federal governments
transcends its power in prohibiting state
from chartering commercial institutions
in its own borders; while others want un-
conditional repeal, and will have no other.
A STRANGE SPECTACLE.
The strange spectacle has been pre-
sented during the debate Of men who call
themselves democrats and who acknowl-
edge allegiance to the democratic plat
form, lighting openly and vehemently
against an unquestioned principle of tho
platform. There were differences of opin-
ion, and honest ones, as to what construc-
tiOn ought to be placed on that part Of the
platform which relates TO silver; but there
can be no doubt of that sort rs TO the
platforms meaning when il committed
the party TO the repeal OF the 10 per cent.
tax on the issue Of state banks. And yet,
the repeal has been fought as bitterly bv
democrats as by republicans. How these
gentlemen can reconcile their opposition
and their allegiance TO the platform, per-
haps they can explain; / can't.
GEoKGIA's PART IN THE DEBATE.
The debate on this question has been
noted for the ability displayed on both
sides and Georgia has made a conspicu-
ously strong fight for repeal. Col. Lester,
Mai Black and Judge Lawson have quit
themselves like giants, and the blows that
they have struck in behalf of the
people have fallen with telling
effect on their adversaries. The
mastery speeches Of the first two
have already been noted at some length
in the columns of the MORNING NEWS,
Judge Lawson's speech created a pro-
founder impression than any one on either
side in this debate Unlimited time was
given him. and he spoke an hour and fifty
minutes. His speech was prepared with
the greatest care, and the subject was
thoroughly elaborated and discussed ex-
haustiyely.
OPINIONS or THE SPEECH.
Judge Lawson's speech was somewhat
OF surprise even 10 his friends. The
praise it received was general and enthu-
siastic.
Judge Culberson, Of Texas, who is the
acknowledged leader in legal ability by
both sides Of the House, saws: 1T is the
strongest and most complete speech
have heard made in congress on any sub
ject in twenty years.
Gen. Catchings, Of Mississippi. the
democratic leader, says: ut was a re-
markable speech. have never heard a
stronger or more learned argument on any
subject IL ranks Judge Lawson as one
OF the strongest men in the House,
Speaker Crisp says: "It was n magnifi-
cent argument, not only remarkably
strong and sound as a legal argument,
but its structure and composition were of
a remarkably fine character: and it ranks
very high as literary production. felt
proud of Judge Lawson as Georgian
when heard il"
Mr. Swanson, of Virginia, says: ct
was the strongest speech that could pos
sibly have been delivered on the subject"
MIR Money, of Mississippi, says: ut
was splendid argument and could not
be improved upon. have never heard q
stronger speech delivered on the floor OF
the House"
Col. Tom Cabaniss, of Georgia, says:
"a better speech on the subject cannot
be made"
Judge Cockrill, of Texas, says: 81 sell
dom congratulate member on his speech,
but cannot help congratulating Judge
Lawson"
Hon. Lafe Perce. the brilliant young
populist, says: IL disagree with Judge
Lawson, but | must say it was a magniti-
cent presentation Of his side of the ques-
ton"
Large numbers Of others spoke in the
same mplimentary strain.