The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-25

CIevelanQ'S private ONCE az the executive
mansion was a center of unusual activity
today, as the leading silver men of con-
gress appeared before him to urge that he
sign the Bland silver seigniorage bill. At
one time there was fifteen Of them ranged
about the president and earnestly pleading
with him. Some had come singly and in
state delegations. Accompanying the
Indianians was son of the ex-secretary of
the treasury, McCulloch, who came as a
western banker to urge the signing of
the bill. Representative Bryan of
Nebraska was there to urge the desires of
the far northwest that the bill be signed.
Representative NcMiilin 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 dis
aster. Representatives Tucker and Wise
were there with the junior Virginia
senator, Mr.. Hunter. 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
gathering of congressional leaders. Every
one of the callers was An ardent silver man,
except possibly MIR. Black o: Illinois, and
he, too, was there to urge that the people
OF Illinois wanted the bill signed.
The president had cordial greeting for
the various silver men and showed much
interest in the various phases presented.
lt was evident, however, that be was much
worried and that the strain was telling
upon him. One congressman after an
other was heard. They spoke with great
earnestness. No effort was made to con-
ceal the feeling that the existence of the
present majority in congress depended on
the signing of the bill.
Representative Mcmillan of Tennessee,
said that no Democrat could be elected to
congress III his state who would endorse
silver veto. lie was just back from Ten
nessee where. he said, the most intense
feeling existed in opposition to veto.
Representative Bryan of Nebraska took
for his text the significant fact that the
center of population in the United States
was 500 miles west of New York. He said
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 he
knew no section and that he had the
deepest desire TO act for the whole people
east, and west alike.
Representatives Brookshire and Nc
Donald voiced the views of Indiana and
Illinois respectatlvely.
Then occurred striking scene which
will be long remembered by the represent
atiyes present. Mr.. McCulloch, son of the
and now an Indiana banker
had urged that the western banks were
not afraid of an oyer-supply of silver. He
his own bank, In which, be said, |
there was a constant call for silver. The |
metal was never on hand in quantities
greater than the demand. 1
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 all-
swer OF parry except by casual remarks. |
He stood beside his large desk. with one |
hand resting on it, and spoke to the fifteen !!
or twenty earnest men before him. 4
His words came slowly and with deep |
He spoke of his anxiety TO |
help the congressman and their people, by |
such action rs would be best for the whole |
1t was question above MAORI |
ties in congress, or of any other personal |
or self-consideration. He told them that |
they had his sympathy and he earnestly |
wished he was at liberty 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 TO be set |
tied 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 end he had sought information |
from all sources and heard all interests |
He intended TO take all of the facts into |
and TO base his decision |
upon the conviction that he should reach |
as to the Interests of the whole people. He |
spoke feelingly of the gravity of the res
thus imposed upon him by the
differences in various localities. He
pointed out some of the features urged |
against the bill; he did not say they were
fatal defects, yet, the tendency of his |
statements was 10 show he could not
vet reconcile himself 10 the
views the silver men had expressed /
Mr.. Cleveland spoke for fully five min
utes. When the main body Of congress
men had left others arrived, and then "A
stream of silver pleas continued through
out the the public hours of the president.
To one of the congressman Mr.. Cleveland |
pointed out that his main fear was against
the second section of the Bland bill, which
may cause a run on the treasury for the
of treasury notes in gold. An
other important criticism advanced by 4
Mr., Cleveland WAS that the phraseology OF
the Bland bill WAS defective, in the judg
ment of eminent legal authorities. The |
president pointed out that the wording of /
the section directing the coinage OF the
,eigniorage was such that, while it
seemed 10 authorize $500 900, il was
open to the construction that the amount /
should be $1,000 600. While not stating
that the defect was fatal the president
seemed TO regard IL as q serious matter in
such a measure.
The south came strongly 70 the front
today in the letters aud the kilograms
poured in on Mr. Thurber's desk, nearly
all praying for a veto.
FINANCIERS FERNINST IT.