The morning call., 1895-01-31

not believe they favored gold obligations
running fifty years, with interest aggre-
eating $75,0OO,OOO at the end of that time.
1t was selfish suggestion that posterity
should be left to pay this bad debt The
obligations Of this Senate were as binding
toward pesterity as toward the pres
ent generation. 1t was as much the
duty of the Senate to protect the future as
to adopt the suggestion of the President to
look after the present and let the future
look out Tor Itself. vest was by this tfn1r
putting such energy and dramatic force
into his words that he was given eager at
tention from the Senators and from the
crowded galleries.
"The President has declared war on sill
ver," proceeded Vest. "He will make us
accessories to this effort to fix the gold
standard upon u.s." The Senator asked if
any man really believed the supposed
emergency could not be met by treasury
payments in silver. And yet the impress
sion was being conveyed to the public that
the country was on the brink of ruin. If
the President had the power he would
force US to the single gold standard.
But" said Vest impressively, raising
his right hand in emphasis, $50 far as l am
concerned, will never vote to issue bonds
to secure gold and place us on single
gold standard"
Cullom rose at this point with question
as to what the Finance Committee, of
which Vest is member, intended doing
toward securing some definite policy.
Vest paused for a moment before reply
!
proper to let the chairman of the Finance
Committee answer that question, but in his
absence / will say that L do not believe
there is any possibility of the Finance Com
mittee agreeing on any measure to report
to the Senate"
The announcement-the first that had
been openly made as to the situation in the
Finance Committee-was received with
marked attention and evident surprise.
Vest proceeded to say that the talk about
lack of revenue, as suggested by Mr.. Gull
lon, was a waste of words. He had talked
with the Secretary of the Treasury only the
day before, and had been assured that the
revenues were ample.
$50 the Secretary of the Treasury is
ready to assure us he has all the revenue
he wants ?" asked Mr. Cullom.
eyes, it is increasing from day to day to
such an extent that there promises to be
large surplus"
"Do you state this, or is it statement of
the Secretary of the Treasury" Cullom
asked pointedly.
81 make the statement on direct infor-
nation from the Secretary of the Treas
ury," replied Vest.
Resuming his speech, Vest said he was
against the gold standard. 1t was bond
age of oppression. "And am to be made
accessory to the preparation of this gold
system ?" asked the Senator. at is not
pleasant" he continued, "to differ with
the head of my party. l have remained
silent for many months in order not to add
to the discord within our great party. But
we have reached the parting of the ways.
l will go no further
Vest closed with the emphatic declara-
ton that party fealty could never lead him
to aid in fastening the gold standard on
the country If the st. Louis Chamber of
Commerce wanted some one to help toward
that end they would have to find some one
else than he.
Wolcott said this was just such another
plan as that adopteu uuoIe tHaH yedI anu
half ago to force the repeal of the silver
purchasing act. At that time the banks
began their campaigns with kilograms to
Senators, followed by instructions to all
the business men who had loans from
them, that unless the silver law was re-
pealed the loans wouiu not be renewed.
Now, as then, lying reports of prosperity
to follow Congressional action were being
circulated with view to influence the
Senate and force the gold standard more
thoroughly upon the people. If the
Eastern banks with their dishonest
methods, seek to,control the legislation of
the country they must precede the effort
by the adoption of more honorable ways