The herald., 1894-03-25
THE SEIGNIORAGE BILL.
Cleveland Will Veto the
Measure.
Straws That Indicate How the
Wind FLOWS.
Silver Men Vainly Labor With tho
President.
He Hears Their Arguments and CleArlI
Shows That He Has Made Up
His Mind to Use the
Veto Power.
By the Associated Press.

/ BY the Associated Press.
WAsHINGroN, March 24.-President
Cleveland's private Office at the execu-
tive mansion was the scene OF unusual
activity today az the leading silver men
of congress appeared before him to urge
that he sign the Bland bill At one
time there were 10 OF them ranged
around the president and entreating
with him. They came singy and in
state delegations.
Representative Williams, Forman and
and McDarinold of Illinois, with Repre-
sentatives Martin, Brookshire and Nc
Nagny OF Iowa. called in a body. Ac-
conpanying them was son of ex-Sec-
retary of the Treasury McColloch, who
came as a western banker to urge the
signing of the bill. Representative
Bryan WAS there to urge the desire of
the far northwest that the bill be
signed.
Representative McMillin, OF the ways
and means committee, was just back
from visit to his state, which satisfied
him, he said, that a silver veto meant
political disaster. Representatives
Tucker and Wise Of Virginia were there.
with the Virginia senator, Mr.. Hunton,
on the same mission. Representatives
Patterson of Tennessee. Wheeler Of Ala.
bams, Carruth of Kentucky, Black of
Illinois and Sibley OF Pennsylvania
added to the gathering.
Every one of the callers was an ardent
silver man. except possibly Mr.. Black,
and he too was there to urge that the
people OF Illinois wanted the bill signed.
The president had cordial greeting for
the various congressman and showed
much interest in the various plans pre-
sented. 1t was evident, however, that
he was much worried and that the
strain was telling upon him. One con-
gresham after another was heard. They
spoke with great earnestness. No effort
was made to conceal the feeling that the
existence of the present majority in con-
gress depends upon the signing of the
bill.
Representative McMillin said no DEM
ocrst could be elscted to congress in his
state who would endorse a silver veto.
He was just back from Mississippi,
where he said the most intense feeling
existed in opposition to the veto.
Representative Bryan OF Nebraska
took for his text the significant fact
that the center of the population in the
United States was 800 miles west of
New York. He said the northwe western
people, whether right or wrong, feared
the president closed his eyes TO them
and thought only o. the east.
Mr.. Cleveland interrupted to say that
he knew no section and that he had the
best desire to act for the welfare OF the
people, east and west alike.
Representatives McDanno and Brook
shire voiced the views of Illinois and
Iodiana.
Then occurred striking scene which
will be long remembered by those pres
ent.
Mr.. McCulloch, son of the ex.secrs-
tary OF the treasury, and now an Indiana
banker, had urged that the wsstern
bankers were not afraid of an over-sup-
ply of silver. He instancsd his own
bank, in which he said tneIe Was a con-
etant cali for silver. The metal was
never on band in quantities greater than
the demand.
At this point President Cleveland
framed HE -Arly - the =, sit qiaa5
stood by or 4s bi i.re3 cess ae
hand res 3 siok t9 e5s H.
or 20 ear t rs. ore ilr.
| He spo Dis AL ty tc htin
! coDgrese ont sE'f lal. uec
! action rs oEs 4ar
country. lol uuss
majoritit or 0i
! personal c1si1asatis
them this t1ar Ha1 na fvu
| he earne shed Les ,es
look at rel rt 2c.
their poi wow BID faf
would pl aia ncss hoo
matter a.sisj hg pJD
congress 1fsed oTef
upon hir .lfa f-spoue,k
he could sla NGuia lot
performi tie .pi dpfy
to coneiC -a lctert5is
that sect tae eliare
people, 1utY he 7ho -t
to dischi IS css OF tia
To that ha4 sGlg UlfEtsat
from all ees ana fsa,G Us tst
He inter taee AL oi fg
considerai and e. 5naa % ass sirN
upon tint n,lss.ea thas hn alc Ne sse.,
as to the lts ssts b tne nccp ..
He 81 iea'rSig ~ lat evity 6.
the RESP lus imnossJ uecH
him by 9aeeG b vtl oua i8ssi.-
ties. H oa6 82us 4 tho i8
lures III against tb4 tIt Hs ala
not say 81 sre slai lsfgcsg, yss ta
tendenc 5isielnans wts G. chow
he coulr r9t yes ses 8rua himself Go
the view l4a. ms. hsd szpferssd.
Mr.. c. sna spqka f1y Ils 3 uio.
utes. la as mein oldg ci tas sp4-
gressme asr g12 reo nn..
then as Sam ----.a.vu
throughJ the public hours OF the presi-
dent. To one of the congressman Mr.. Z
Cleveland pointed out that his main
fear was against the section of the bill
which may cause run on the treasury
for the redemption of treasury notes in
gold.
An important criticism advanced by
Mr.. Cleveland was that the phraaeology
of tine Bland bill wac defective, in the
judgment OF eminent legal authorities.
The president pointed out that the
wording of the section directing tho
coinage OF the seigniorags was such that