The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-09
WASHINGTON, D. c., March s.

w AoElANblONt ~ ~ 4hoANA ~
m FTER the passage OF number OF
IAN bills, at 2 p. m, the vice presi-
J1l dent laid before the senate the
u y unfinished business. bsing the
Bland seigniorage act, the pending
question being on Mr. Allison's motion
to reconsider the vote Of yesterday or
dering the engrossment and third read
ing of the Dill.
Mr.. Sherman, Ohio, expressed the
hope that the senate would make no
real objection to Mr.. Allison's motion.
SO as to leaYs the bill open to amend
ment. He proposed to show the i'm
portsnce of having the bill amended.
He declared that there WAS no DISPOSE
tion on his side of the chamber to pre-
vent action on the bill. He suggested
that senators on both sides should pro-
csed in the matter without taking ad-
vantage of rapid declaration on the
part Of the presiding officer that the
bill had been read third time.
In his opinion the bill WAS viola
ton of the public faith, rs declared in
the act OF 1890, which pledged to the
redemption OF the silver certificates the
entire silver bullion purchased by
them. He believed, also, that it was
the beginning of an unlimited issue of
paper money TO meet current eXpandi-
lures. And he believed that 1t woul
substitute for this bi-mstallic standard
of gold and silver the monometalism
of silver only.
DIRECT VIOLATION OF FAITH.
This bill is plain and palpable vio-
lation of the puOlic fsitu-as plain as if
You should refuse to pay United States
notes. The bill before US. strange to
say, provides for taking fifty-five mill.
ion of the bullion pledged to the re-
demptiou Of the treasury notes.
1t takes it from the vaults of the
treasury department, where it is
pledged, as sacrsdly as = mortgage
upon land or as any other obligation of
public faith.
In the further course of his argument
Mr.. Sherman declared that there had
net been dollar gained by the govern
ment in the purchase of silver bullion.
There never had been any foundation
for seigniorage The word 'seignior-
age" was one which ought not to he en
grated on the laws of the United
States. 1t represents the power of lord
or king to seize portion Of the bul.
lion brought to the mint by its owner
to be coined. 1t meant toll. But there
could be no seignioroge in the case be-
cause there had been no profit in the
transaction,
WHAT THE BILL WILL PRECIPITATE.
He believed that the passage Of the
bill meant the beginning OF an unlim
tied issue Of paper money. There was
outstanding today Of the various forms
of demand obligations 1856, 00O 600.
and it was proposed to add to those liza.
bilities the sum of $jj. 900, 000 or ii
the senator from Nebraska was correct,
the possible sum of $l10 900, 900. Did
anybody suppose, Mr. Sherman asked,
that that vast sum OF money could be
maintained at par with gold2 What
was there on hand to meet that enor-
nous liability.
Mr.. Harris expressed his determina-
tion to resist any decentralization and
any amendment of the bill, on the
ground that if the bill had to be sent
back to the house. the chances against
action on it there would be nine 10
one.
Finally it was arranged that Mr.
Allison would have the floor tomorrow
10 speak in favor of his own motion,
and then at 4. 30, the senate after q
short executive session, adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
After the passage of several minor
bills in the house this morning Mr..
Sayers, Dem. Tex. presented the con.
ference report on the urgency def
cheney bill and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Richardson. (Dsm.. Tenn. }
called up the bill reported by the
deeksry commission abolishing the
Offices Of commissioner and deputy
commissioner OF councils and asked its
consideration M a priviledged matter.
Mr.. Cannon adverted to the methods
of accounting in the postoffice depart
ment, which brought up the star route
frauds, and the discussion drifted off
to that subject.
The bill was passed and the hous,
then went into committee of the who'll,
on the District of Columbia appropria.
ton bill. As reported the bill carried
total appropriation of S.. 1877, 573 aDC
provided salaries for 2, 054 persons. in
cluding teachers OF the public schools
as against $5, 41S, 224 and 2,OO1 salarie,
In the bill tor he current year, and es-
Inmates Of SO. 966, 1853 and 9. 1893 salaries
After brief debate by Messrs. Morse
(Rep., Mass and Wheeler Dem
Ala, the committee rose and at A. o.
the house adjourned.