The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
StOrmed by congressman Who Want
the Bland Bill Signed, and COM
relied to Deliver Speech.
HE GAVE THEM SYMPATHY
But Made No Definite Announce.
ment of His Intentions.
Indiana Railroad Tax Cases to Be Ar
gued Before the United States SUI
preme Court This Week.

WASHINGTON, March 24-President
Clevelands private office at the executive
mansion was a center of unusual activity
to-day. as the leading silver men of Con-
gress appeared before him to urge that he
sign the Bland silver seignorage bill. At
one time there We're fifteen of them, ranged
about the President and earnestly pleading
with him. They had come singly and in
State delegations Representatives VIII
liams, Forman and Mcdonald of Illinois,
came with Representatives Martin. Brook
shire and McNagny, of Indiana. Accom-
panying the Indianians was a son of ex-
Secretary OF the Treasury McCulloch, who
came as a Western banker to urge the sign
ing of the bill. Representative Bryan, OF
Nebraska, was there to urge the desires or
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
sad that silver veto meant political dis
aster. Representatives Tucker and Wise, of
Virginia, were there with the junior Vir-
ginia Senator, Mr.. Hunton, on the same
mission Representatives Patterson OF
Tennessee. Wheeler of Alabama, Carruth
of Kentucky, Black of Illinois and Sibley of
Pennsylvania added to the formidable gath
eFlDS Oh COnBTtSSiOIdl LNSiy
of the callers was an ardent silver man,
except, possibly, Representative Black. and
he, too, was there to urge that the people
of Illinois wanted the Bland bill signed
The President had a cordial greeting for
the various silver men and showed much
interest in the various pleas presented. 1t
was evident, however, that he was much
worried and that the strain telling
upon him. One Congressman after another
was heard. They spoke with great earnest
ness. No effort was made to conceal the
feeling that the existence of the present
majority in Congress depended on the sign
ing of the bill. Representative McMillin
said that no Democrat could be elected TO
Congress in his State who would indorse
silver veto. He was just back from Ten
nessee, where, he said the most intense
feeling existed in opposition to a veto.
Representative Bryan took for his text
the significant fact that the center Of pop
ulation in the United States was eight hun
dred miles west of New York. He said that
the Northwestern people, whether right or
wrong. feared the President closed his eyes
to them and thought only of the East.
Mr.. Cleveland interrupted to say that he
knew no section, and that he had the deep
est desire to act for the welfare of the
whole people, East and West alike.
Representatives Brookshire and Melon
aid voiced the views of Indiana and Illi-
nois, respectively. Then occurred a srik-
ing scene which will be long remembered by
loch son of the ex-Secretary and now an
Indiana banker, had urged that the Western
banks ERE mot afraid S Of an on
which, he said, there was a constant call
for silver The metal was never on hand
in quantities greater than the demand. The
la ann rP6 "A a
other class of money.
MIR. CLEVELAND SPEAKS.
At this point President Cleveland framed
the reply to the many pleas which had been
pouring in upon him, and which, up TO
this point, he had not attempted to an
swer or parry except by causal remarks.
He stood beside his large desk, with one
hand resting on it. and spoke to the fifteen
or twenty earnest men before him. His
words came slowly and with deep earnest
ness. He spoke of his anxiety to help the
Congressman and their people by such
action as would be best for the whole coun-
try. 1t was a question above majorities in
Congress or of any other personal or selfish
consideration. He told them that they had
his sympathy, and that he earnest
ly wished that he was at liberty
to look at the matter and act
solely II, from ont their point OF view In face
leave the matter to be settled by Congress
But Congress had turned it over to him
and upon him rested the responsibility,
| which he could not and would not evade
| The performance of his full duty obliged
| him to consider not the interests of this or
that section, but the welfare OF the whole
| people. and that duty he should endeavor TO
discharge to the best of his ability. TO that
| sources and heard all interests. He intend
| ed TO take all of the facts into consideration
| and to base his decision upon the conviction
-. Cl,r oh tfn into aEfc Of ~
| whole people. The President spoke feelingly
| of the gravity of the responsibility thus
| imposed upon him by the differences in vari-
Gus localities. He pointed out some OF the
| features urged against the bill He did not
| say they were fatal defects. yet the tenden-
| cy of his statements was TO show that he
could not yet reconcile himself TO the views
| the silver men had expressed. Mr.. Cleve-
| land spoke for fully five minutes.
When the main body of Congressman had
retired others arrived, and then stream
| of silver pleas continued throughout the
public hours of the President. To one of
| the Congressman Mr.. Cleveland pointed out
that his main fear against the second
| section of the Bland bill, which may cause
| a run on the treasury for the redemption
| of treasury notes in gold. Another impor-
| tant criticism advanced by AIR Cleveland
| was that the phraseology of the Bland bill
legal authorities. The President pointed out
| that the wording of the section directing
| the coinage of the seignioraCe was such
that, while it seemed to authorize SO, COZ. 600
| il was open TO the construction that the
| amount should be s110.000000. While not
stating that the defect was fatal, the Pres
| ident seemed TO regard it as a serious mat
ter in such a measure.
The South came strongly to the front
to-day in the letters and kilograms piled
up on Mr. ThIrbers desk, nearly all
praying for a veto. The Fort Worth CTeX. }
| Chamber Of Commerce urged n veto in the
| interest Of sound money. Houston, Tex.
| warned the President that money was Of
\ any that impaired the business in
! terests and credit of the country. Like SEN
! timents were expressed by the Detroit
| Beard OF Trade. From Chicago and Phila-
| delphia and Worcester, Mass, merchants,
and from Newbury, 5. c., came a denun-
citation of the bill as long and fatal
| step in the direction OF cheap and un-
| sound money indianapolis and Norfolk
merchants were also of the same mind.
! and the letters and kilograms on this side
| of the case came so thick and fast as to
leave little time for Mr.. Thurber to do more
! than scan them hastily and make brief
| notes Of their contents for exhibition To
| the President.
INDIANA TAX CASES.