Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-15

would endorse the Democratic party In
their efforts 20 maintain the governments
credit reopen closed manufactures, and
abolish soup-houses
Mr. Walker ORepublican). OF Massachu-
setts. opposed the bin. He said there had
never been a standard of value In any
period OF the worlds history which had
not been measured and regulated by
grain OF gold. Those who handled the
great volume OF commerce In the cities
and those who sold the minor agricultural
products In the rural districts based their
transactions upon this standard.
Messrs. Klgore DemocraD, OF Texas:
Livingston 0emocraO, Of Georgia: Bland
DemocraD. OF Missouri. and Smith Demo
craD OF Arizona, Interrupted MIR. Walker
with a number Of questions regarding the
depreciation of silver. and for some time
free coinage discussion followed, Mr..
Walker being assured that his time would
be extended.
BLAND AGAINST REED
After some time spent in discussing Sill
yer. Chairman Hatch notified Mr. Walker
that there would be objections made
TO extensions Of time. Messrs. Livingston
and KiIgore asked that more time be al
lowed. and Mr. Bland said that he was
willing To grant fifteen minutes. but no
more. Mr.. Reed asked that thirty minutes
more be allowed MIR. Walker When Mr..
Reed insisted on such extension Mr.. Bland
sharply exclaimed that he understood the
whole matter. as the gentleman from
Maine never lost an opportunity To break
a quorum. An angry colloquy ensued be-
tween Messrs Reed and Bland, neither OF
whom. for a time regarded the sound OF
the gavel. The Chair called both to order
and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to seat
Mr.. Bland.
An extension OF twenty minutes was
given Mr. Walker. but in few minutes,
when Mr.. Walker began reading extracts
from a speech made by Mr.. Bland. the lat
ter attempted to Interrupt, and Mr. walker
appealed 10 the Chair for protection.
Mr.. Bland persisted in his efforts TO be
heard. untn the Chair again instructed the
Sergeant-nt-Arms 10 seat him MT walker
then proceeded with his speech.
Mr. Sweet Republican), of Idaho, IA
vored the bill Although not embracing
entirely his views. he believed 1t TO be
a step in the right direction. He con-
sidered silver as the paramount question
to-day before the American people.
Mr. Bowers Republican, of California,
followed briefly. and said he believed that
the country could stand Sj0,00,oO addi-
tional silver certificates. The Democratic
uartv was responsible. not only for legisa-
tion enacted now. but for omissions. He
would advocate at all times and under all
circumstances the free coinage Of silver.
He would offer an amendment providing
for the establishment of postal savings
banks.
Mr. Brosius Republican). Of Pennsylva-
MIA spoke against the bill. He said That
while "a silver certificate might now pur-
chase an equal amount Of the necessities
Of life with gold. legislation might be
necessary 10 insure a continuance Of equal
purchasing power. The declaration or
principles contained in the party platform
was superseded by the occurrence OF
events.
He did not believe action in monetary
matters should be Influenced by convic-
tons formed year ago. but by the i'm
pressions Of to-dav. The proposed bill
was but q step backward toward the dan
ger from which the country had escaped
only a few months ago when the Sherman
act was repealed. He was unalterably
opposed to the further issuance of inferior
money. which would add 10 the differences
attending the maintenance of the parity
between gold and silver and still further
imperil the credit Of the government.
Silver di1 not fall in price because the
demonetizing act Of 1873. but IN spite of
that act. The act itself had nothing what
ever to do with the depreciation Of silver
but the reputation Of that metal abroad
and the cessation of coinage by the Latin
'nion forced an inevitable reduction in
value.
Mr.. RawIns DemocraD. Of Utah. spoke
In favor Of the bill. but before concluding
his remarks the committee rose and the
House at $50 adjourned.