New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-28
LAFE PENCE APOLOGIES.
Mr.. COOPER GIVES HIM 4 LITTLE LECTURE
ABOUT OWNING SILVER MINES AND SHOUT
ING FOR FREE COINAGE.

] \
ABOUT OWNING SILVER MINES AND SHOUT
ING FOR FREE COINAGE.
Washington Feb. 2 Acknowledgements
Pence. OF Colorado did the right thing to-day when
/ he apoogzed 10 the House for the supplementary
| and offensive remarks he applied yesterday TO
Messrs Picker, Ellis and Hainer. and requested
to have the report OF the coloquy between himself
and Mr. Hainer expunged from THE Congr essionai
| Record" The apology offered with 50 mucn
humility that Mr. Cooper. Of Indiana, was encour-
aged to demand IN his own behalf. Mr. Cooper
was one of the free-s!lver Democrats who deserted
TO the cuckoo wing and voted for the uncondi-
onal repeal Of the bullion purchasing provision Of
the Silver of 1890 last summer and Mr.. Pence
in his speech yesterday had referred TO him by
name as one "of those who followed the command
and demand Of the President. and made swap
and trade openly and frankly before the eyes Of
the world in the vote the Silver Repeal bill
AS soon as Mr.. Pence sat down Mr.. Cooper arose
10 a question OF personal privilege and demanded
to know what the statesman from Arapahoe
County meant by the language quoted. Somewhat
his surprise the latter replied that he meant just
what he said. Mr. Cooper. ne said had spoken and
voted In favor OF free coinage from the time ne
first entered Congress down to as late as February
of last year, when Henry Willard was in Washing
ton the representative of the President-elect,
urging the Lid Congress to repeal the bullion
purchasing provision and in the following August
he had voted for unconditional repeal" Mr. Cooper
remained firm In his new faith until the pending bill
was brought forward and he thought he saw in 1t
opportunity renstate himself in the his free
silver constituents before the election. Mr.
Pence said that ne might be in error. but he had
nothing TO apologize for or retract. 1t evident
that this not the sort of an explanation that
the Indianian had desired and expected. He de-
cared with some heat that his change OF attitude
had been caused wholly by patriotic desire 20 aid
in the reservation Of public prosperity and that he
had never had a moments conversation with Pres
ident Cleveland the subject of the repeal bill"
Then having placed himself upon the PEDESTAL OF
unselfish patriot, Cooper turned upon Pence and
with blazing eyes and wrath In every tone and
gesture he shouted:
i sincerely believe that the gentleman's utter
ances and conduct on this floor are prompted by
an interest which has overwhelmed him, and that
If he would stop and think where he has placed
himself and where he Is going ne would speedily
retrace mis- steps He Is interested largely In silver
mines he has stocks in silver mines and If he will
read the statutes of Congress and the laws of his
country he will learn that he has right 10 vote
upon this question, much less to speak upon IL.
He has direct. personal pecuniary interest In the
result of this legislation, and If he would exercise
that degree of caution, OF mOdesty. OF common de-
cency that ought to commend itself to man nav
ing financial interest In the result of pending
the motives OF other gentlemen. honorable men,
who serving their country. they believe. in
stead of their own personal private gain.
Mr. Cooper sat down after this outburst and
Amos j. Cummings got up and exclaimed: IF it
Is In order / would like TO suggest that this is an
opportune time for Democrat to apologize |
for his reflections upon the New-Yorl Democracy"
Mr.. Bland however quickly interpOsed with his |
usual motion, and the Democratic love feast was
postponed.