The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-02-22

house this morning the resignation of
Representative Brawley rs. CO., who
has been appointed United States
district judge, was read and placed on
file. The resignation took effect to-
day.
Mr.. Hunter Gill; rose to question
of privilege and made a lengthy ex-
PLANTATION of his votes on agricultural
implements and diamonds while the
tariff bill YVES being considered in COM
mittee of the whole.
Mr.. Reed (Me) asked unanimous
consent that the oath be administered
to Messrs. Quigg and Struss, the newly
elected members from New York,
whose credentials had not vet arrived.
There was no objection and their col.
leagues, Messrs. Cummings and
Dunphy, escorted them to the bar of
the house, where they were sworn in.
Mr.. Bland then moved to go into
committee of the whole for further
consideration of the seiniorage bill.
Pending the motion Mr.. Bland tried
to reach an agreement with the op-
ponens of the bill to close general de-
bate this afternoon at p. M, but Mr..
Reed called for regular order.
Mr.. Stone CKy.) took the floor That
there was deficiency in revenues of
the government and that there would
be a larger deficiency no one would
deny. The first section of the bill pro-
posed to COLL the surplus asset of the
government to meet part of the detic-
iency. He argued that there was no
virtue in the claim set up that the
seigniorage bullion was pledged to re-
demption of outstanding treasury
notes, as both Secretary Foster and
Carlisle held those notes were redeem
able either in gold or silver. The sale
of the bonds had not and could not
strengthen the treasury. 1t simply in
creased the obligations of the govern
ment and made it harder for the treas
ury to meet its obligations. Toward
the close of his remarks Mr.. Stone be-
came involved in controversy with
Messrs. Reed and Bowers (Cal.) over
party responsibility for the present
condition of affairs At last Mr.. Stone
declared that this Democratic congress
would afford the people relief and
that a reinforced and approved Dem
ocratic majority elected to congress
next fall to the work of this congress.
1--WE will rest the case on that pre-.
diction," said Mr.. Reed, eff you have
an increased Democratic majority next
fall you will be indicated"
Mr.. Walker Rep, Mass.) who fol-
lowed stone, declared that the worlds
business was done upon basis of
world standard of value of gold and
silver, and as far as its value as inter-
National exchange was concerned, it
must always be measured by its bullion
value in gold. Silver coinage forced
by the Democratic party had cost the
people of the country $40, 10000 a
in direct taxation. Mr.. Walker then
proceeded under running fire of ques-
tions from Livingston Smith (Arlz,)
and Bland to argue that it was better
to issue bonds than to pass such bill
as the pending measure.
During the course of Mr.. Walkers
speech Messrs. Reed and Bland got
into an angry alteration over the
limitation of debate. 1t was carried
ON while Hatch, who was in the chair,
was vigorously pounding for order,
and the sergeant at arms was at last
called upon to see that the gentlemen
were seated.
Continuing, Mr.. Walker read an al
legged quotation from Mr.. BANDS
speech to demonstrate, as he said, that
the result of the limitation of silver
coinage would be the debasement of
the value of silver and the deprecia-
ton of the silver dollar. Mr.. Bland
attempted to deny the correctnest of
the question, but Mr.. Walker refused
to yield. He went on to call attention
to Mr.. JohEsoA's statement yesterday
that legal tender paper or gold was
being refused at the treasury for silver
certificates. The moment silver csr-
titicates were no longer interchange
able with gold or gold obligations, said
he, the latter would go to a premium
of 90 lilo cents.
Mr.. Sweet (Rep., Ida.) followed with
an argument in support of the bill
He devoted the bulk of his time to a
strong appeal in favor of free coinage.
Mr.. Bowers (Rep., Cali, to whom
Mr.. Sweet yielded few minutes at the
closing hour, also supported the bill.
Mr.. Brosius rep, Pa.) argued
against the bill. By this bill, he said,
a financial honor of the country is
being put up at auction to enable it to
pay its debts.
Mr.. Rawlins, delegate from Utah,
supported the bill with general ar
gument in favor of free coinage.
Without concluding his speech Mr..
Rawlins yielded for a motion that the
committee rise.
Mr.. Fithian at this juncture rose to
a personal explanation in connecti IN
with Mr.. Hunters statement in the
early part of the session today. He
said he regretted that he was called
upon to make a statement, but he felt
it his duty to do so. The question at
issue was how Judge Hunter had vot.
ed upon the propositions to place ag-
ricultural implements on the free list
and to increase the duty on diamonds.
He explained that until a few days
ago he and Mr. Hunter had been rivals
for the congressional nomination in
Ill nois but that Judge Hunter had
withdrawn and that the entire inter-
est in the matter now was that the
truth concerning how Mr.. Hunter had
voted should be known. He said he
was present on the day when the vote
upon the proposition to increase the
duty on diamonds was taken and
as he had a keen personal interest in