St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-25

WASHINGTON. March 24.-Pfesldent
Cleveland's private Office at the execu-
tive mansion was a center of unusual
activity today, as the leading silver.
men of congress appeared before him
to urge that he sign the Bland silver
seigniorage bill. At one time there
were fifteen of them, ranged about the
president and earnestly pleading with
him. They have come siugly and in
state delegations. Representatives
Williams, FOrman and Mcdonald, of
Illinois, came with Representatives
Martin, Brookshire and McNagney. of
Indiana. Accompanying the Indianans
was SON nofeX-Secretary of of the Treas
ury McCulloch, who came as Western
banker to urge the signing of the
bill. Representative Bryan. of Nebras
ka, was there to urge the desires of 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 said, that silver veto meant
political disaster. Representatives
Tucker and Wise, of Virginia. were
there, with the junior Virginia senator.
Mr.. Hunton. on the same mission. Rep
resentatIves Patterson, of Tennessee:
Wheeler, of Alabama; Caruth. of Ken
tucky; Black, OF Illinois, and Sibley, of
Pennsylvania, added to the formidable
gathering of congressional leaders.
ALL ARDENT SILVER MEN.
Every one of the callers was an ardent
silver man, except possibly Mr.. Black;
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 pleas pre-
sented. 1t was evident, however, that
he was much worried, and that the
strain was telling upon him. One con-
gresSman after another was heard.
They spoke with great earnestness. No
effort was made to conceal the feeling
that the existence Of the present major
ity In congress depended on the signing
of the bill.
Representative McMillin, of Tennes-
see. said that no Democrat could be
elected to congress in his state who
would indorse silver veto. He was
just back from Tennessee, 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 csnter of population in the United
States was $40 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
deepest desire to act for the welfare of
the whole peopls, East and West alike.
Representatives Brookshire and Nc
Donald voiced the views of Indiana and
Illinois respectively. Then occurreds
A STRIKING SCENE,
which will be long remembered by the
representatives present. Mr.. McCuI-
loch, son of the ex-secretary, and now
an Indiana banker, had urged that the
Western banks we're not afraid of an
oyer-supply of silver. He instanced
his own bank, in which, he said, there
was a constant call for silver. The
metal was never on hand in quantities
greater than the demand.
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 answer or 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. His
words came slowly and with deep ear
nestness, He spoke of his anxiety to
! help the con gressmen and their people
by such action as would be best for the
whole country. II was question above
maiorities in c6hgress. Or of any other
personal or selfish consideration. he
told them that they had his
sympathy. and that = ne earnesEa
Wished that he ,sSas at liberty to look at