Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-10
THE SEIGNIORAGE.
Senate Comes 10 Agreement
e On the Bill.
The Republicans Given Till Thursday
Next for Debate.
Villas Makes a Strong Argument in Opposition
to the Measure.

WasurSCToy, March AT 2 O'Clock
unfinished busines, was laid before tn
Senate, being the Bland seigniorage bill
Allison, who was entitled TO the floor on
motion to reconsider the vote by which the
bill went 10 it. third reading, excused him
self from speaking, today, on account OF
hoarssness, and suggested that day and
hour be fixed by unanimous consent Tor
taking vote on is motion. Harris, ID
charge of the bill, proposed that vote b
taken on A ison's motion a. 2 o'clock,
Wednesday. Henderson inquired whether
Harris proposed to allow amendments to
b. offered il Al!ison's motion should be
withdrawn.
Uarris-l think | will not, at any time,
consent to that. Ny proposition is that the
Senate shall vote at 9, Wednesday, on the
motion Of the senator from Iowa. 1t that
motion shall carry, the bill goes back to the
amendment stsge, and then | will want to
limit debate on the amendments to the five
minute rule and will want an hour fixed for
a final vote on the bill.
Manderson-The bill no. only requires
the coinage of So 100000 Of silver, but
authorizes the issue Of silver certificates to
the amount of another So ,000,0 900. de-
sire to have the bill corrected in that par
t;cular The only way in which it can b.
done, if the motion to recohsl Ter is vote d
down, will be to move to commit the bill
to the committee on finance, with instruc-
tions to report it back with amendments. 1
rive notice that | will make that motion.
Harris gave his opinion that Manierstn
was mistaken in his construction of the
bill. Many propositions as to the course +
proceeding on the bill were made ard OBJ
il cted to, and finally Harris received unari-
nous consent to the following arrangemt Mt :
That the Senate would vote ut 2 o'clock,
Wednesday, on Allison's motion to recon-
cider, and If that motion failed it might be
followed BY motion suggested by Mander-
son Ito commit bilD all debate after 2,
Wednesday to be limited to the e-minute
rule, and the final vote to be taken at 2,
Thursday.
Villas addressed the Senate in opposition
to the bill The bill was simply bill to
issue nearly 5000 600 900 silver certif ates,
to force them into currency, of course in
addition to the amount already outstanding,
and substitute such volume of silver GER
tificates for notes issued under the act OF
1890, and which were, to all intent, and
purposes, greenbacks.
continuous operation of the methods it
would set on foot The bill intimateG, in
the first section, as reason for its enac'-
ment, that the needs of the treasury re-
0uired q provision for relief in view of de-
felt in the revenue. That reason had
passed away There was no reasonable
danger to the treasury now of any deficit
during the carrent fiscal year.
After interruptions by several senators
aud much colloquy as to the purposes of
the bill, Villas said "lt is measure for
the establ.Em mt of a monometal'ic silver
standard in place of god or bimetallism.
The secretary of the treasury asked for o
such legislation and lie is known to stand
opposed to its utility at this time.
while it is true" said Aldrich, 'rhat
the seer etary of the treasury hss not form
ally pres, nted any rtq1est for this leg sla-
tiou, | understand from the attitude of the
senators from Indiana and Tennessee that
there was reque st on the part of the adj
ministration for the passage of this bill III
order that it might be of some assistance in
carrying out the policy agreed upon.
Harris represented on this floor my
own individual views. have no informa-
ton from the head of the administration
or any member of the administration family
as to what it wishe, or does not wish in re-
gard to this bill
Vilss-The Senator from Rhode Island ia
perfectly aware of the fact that the secre-
tary of the treasury, charged as he is with
the credit and honor of the government in
every financial aspect, cannot but view this
bill with alarm.
Villas yielded for executive business. He
will finish his argument on Monday. The
Senate after an executive session adjourned
till Monday next.