The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-25
URGING HIM TO SIGN IT,.
Delegation OF Congressman Call
Upon the President Concerning
the Seigniorsge Bill
Many Strong Reasons Arc Pre-
sented Why the Bill Should
Be Signed.
All Sources BEFORE He Takes
FInAI Action on ft.

WAsHINoroN, March 2i.--President Clovs-
lands private ofics st the executive man
aion was the center OF unusual activity to-
day. as leading men Of conRrssa appeared
before him 10 urge that he sign the Bland
bill Representatives Williams. FOTmsn
and Mcdonald. Of Illinois. came with
Representatives Martin. Irookshiro and
MeNagny. OF Indiana. Accompanying
them was a son Of EH-Seoietary Of the
Treasury NcCulloch. who came as west
ern banker 20 urge the signing Of
the bill. Representative Bryan was
there 90 urge the desire OF the far
northwest that the bill be signed.
Representative McMillin was just back
from a visit TO his state. which satisfied
him that a silver veto meant political dis
Hster. Representatives Tucker and Wise,
of Virginia. were there with a Virginia
senator. Hunton. on the same mission.
Representatives Patterson, of Tennessesi
Wheeler. Of Alsbsma; Carruth. Of Ken
tuoky; Black Of Illinois and Sibiey. Of
PennsYlvhnis, added 20 the gathering.
Every one Of the callers was an ardent
silver man. except possibly Black, ana he.
too, was there 90 urge that the people Of
Illinois wanted the bill signed.
The president showed much interest In
the various arguments presented. No ef-
fort was made by congressman TO conceal
the feeling that the existence OF the present
majority IN congress depended on the sign
ing of the bill. Representative McMillin
ga d no dem lat would be elected in len
nessee who would endorse the silver veto.
Representative Bryan. of Nebraska, took as
text the significant fact that the center Of
population of tho United States was 800
mnes west OF New York. He said the
northwestern people feared that the presi-
dent closed his eyes to them and thought
only of the enst.
President Cleveland stood by the aide OF
bis large desk, one hand resting on II, and
spoke 20 the fifteen or twenty earnest men
before him. he spoke OF his anxiety 20
| help the congressman and their people by
such action would be best for the whole
country. II WAS not question about ma
! iorities in congress. or Of any other per-
/ sonal OF self consideration. de told thsm
that they had his sympathy. and be earn
/ estly wished he WAS at hbertY TO look at
the matter and act solely from their point
of view. In fact. nothing would please
him more than TO leave the matter 10 be
settled by congress.
But congress had turned 10 over to him.
snd upon him rested the responsibility,
] WHICH no G0ulu net ana MOulu u0t eNhAes o
/ The perfoi nance OF his full duty obliged
/ him 10 consider ths welfare OF the whole
people. and that duty he should endeaYor
| to discharge TO tbs best Of hts ability. 10
that end he had sought Information from all
sources and heard all interests. He intended
| TO take all facts into consideration and Aoi
ia the interests of the whole people. he
spoke feelinRly of the gravity OF the re-
| sponsibility imposed upon him by differ
ences In various localities. DE pointed out
somo Of the features urged against the bill
lie did not say they we're fatal defects,
vet the tendency Of bis statements was "a
show that he could not yet reconcile him
self 10 the views the silver men had eI.
pressed. 10 one of the congressman
| Cleveland pointed out that bis main fear
was against that section OF the bill which
NAV cause a Iun on the treasury for the re-
DEM sion Of treasury notes in gold.
An important criticism advanced bS
Cleveland Was that the phraseoloRy eff the
Bland bill was defective in the judgment
Of eminent legal authorities. He pointed
out that the wording OF the section direct
ing the coinage of the seignioraRelvas such
that while 10 seemed to authorize $50 600,
COO, IL was open 90 the construction that th'
amount should be Sll0 100000.
The south came strongly 20 the front II
letters and kilograms piled upon IhurbeT'i
desk, nearly all praying for a veto.