The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-20
TO OFFER A CHANGE.
Amendment to the Currency Bill
to be Presented.
Ellis of Kentucky Bitterly At
tacks the Measure.
TO VOTE AGAINST 1T.
At Least Eighteen Democrats
Oppose Carlisle's Plan.

WAsHINGTorV, Dec. 2O.-After the rOu-
tine business had been disposed Of yes
terday, the house upon motion Of Mr.
Springer went into committee Of the
whole on the tariff bill.
Mr. johnson. Republican. of In
diana. one OF the mem bers Of the
minority Of the banking and cur
rencY committee, opened the debate
with a vigorous speech in opposition
to the Carlisle bill Admitting the de-
fects IN our currency system. he said
their CORE elton could not be obtained
by the passage of bill along the
lines suggested by the banking and
currency committee 1t was much
easier to attack the present system
than offer safe substitute for it,
The present system had given the
country a gree back currency which
ena bled the government to carry on
the war and it produced market for
our bonds in the hour of danger and
peril. The currency it produces had
never been questioned
While remedial legislation might
be advisable this was no time for ex-
perimental legislation There was
no need Of indecent speed Congress
in this matter could well afford to
make haste slowly
The exigencies confronting the
strained the majority mem hers Of
the committee to afix their sigma
lures to a report, which in many
respects they did not approve. He
took up the bill section by section
and attacked its various provisions.
Mr. Warner. Democrat Of New
York, also mem Der Of the commit
tee on banking and currency. then
took the floor IN support Of the pend
ing measure
Mr.. Ellis, Democrat. Kentucky,
whO followed Mr.. Warner, the
first Democratic member of the bank
ing and currency committee to at
tack the Carlisle bill 1T the outset
he proclaimed that he was convinced
that its passage would remedy none
Of the defects Of the present financial
system. In the com mittee two con-
hicting theories had struggled for SUI
premacy- Ona urged by the officials
of the government who desired pro-
lection from the assaults of the gold
Spectators and the other urged bV
the bankers, who sought to extend
their privileges and Increase their
power and profits The people had
nothing to hope from such schemes.
He charged that behind the bill were
the same Influences that forced the re-
peal Of the Sherman act and which on
that occasion had predicted that pros
perity would follow The repeal Of
the Sherman law having now admit
tedly failed, this currency scheme had
been insidiOusly pressed forward by
the same high authority For thirty
years the Democratic party had
condemned the national bank sys-
tenn, yet it was now proposing not
only to perpetuate the system,
but to perpe tuate it in form
more Objectiona Bile than that in which
it at present existed Mr. Ellis in
conclusion, charged the Democratic
party in congress with being false
to its Chicago platform pledges in not
passing a tariff bill for revenue only,
in not repeating outright the ten per
cent tax on state banks and n not re-
storing silver to its position as a
money metal on the same terms with
gold. THE Democratic promises"
said he, will not be redeemed until
the people elect a Democratic presi-
dent; when that dav comes as I be
Eeve It will, the chief executive will
select class who believe that all the
financial integrity and capacity ia
this country is quarantined on Man
haitian island"
Mr.. Terry, Democrat Of New York,
gave notice OF an amendment ne
should offer to make circulating
notes redeemable by the bank issuing
them in equal parts in gold and silver.
A resolution was passed to allow
the governor of New Hampshire and
staff on the floor of the house during
the exercises in connection with the
dedications Of the statues Of Webster
and Stark
AT $50 p. m. the committee rose
and the house ad journed-
oPPoSrc rARrrSrE-S air