Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-14
EXCITEMENT IN CONGRESS
Caused BY the Publication of the Bond
Syndicate Contract.
What the Opponents of the Adminfs-
tration Have to Say of the
Sccretary's Action.

The publication of the contract entered
into between the Secretary of the Treas
ury and certain bankers for deals In bonds
and gold has caused great deal of ex-
citement about Congress.
The feeling on the subject is intense.
Many who are in favor of Issuing gold
bonds, if necessary to replenish the gold of
the treasury, are greatly incensed at the
method pursued in this matter. and their
criticism of the course of the administra-
ton is severe Some members express the
opinion that the action of the Secretary
ought to be impeachable. The plea that the
bankers with whom the Secretary was
dealing had corner gold and that the
administration had to comply with their
terms or get no gold at all is answered by
the declaration that the Secretary of the
Treasury could not possibly know this to
be the case until he had put the bonds
upon the open market.
A Private Transaction.
His failure to do this, it is insisted. brings
the transaction down to the basis of a
private DEAL whereby certain particular
bankers are insured a large profit and are
given an indefinite option on such other
bords the government may by manipu
lation be compelled to issue. The most that
the friends CT the administration say in
defense of the contract is that the bankers
who have the gold held the Secretary of
the Treasury by the threat and compelled
him to terms at their dictation.
The feeling in this matter manifested it
self in paradox in the House this morn
ing. When the committee on rules brought
in q special order providing for the con-
sideration of the Wilson resolution during
the day, a vote to BE- taken 1t at )
o'clock the opponents of the Wilson reso-
luton and the critics of the curious finan-
cial contract We're most active in their eff
forts to secure the adoption of the rule.
Ire members OF the committee on ways
and means who voted against Mr.. Wilson
aided in the adoption of the special order.
Want to Vcntilntc the Question.
Those most savage in their criticism Of
the course OF the administration were most
eager to secure the five hours of debate
within which to ventilate the question
When MIR Picker. who was not informed
as to the plan of the opposition, made
point of no quorum MIR. Hopkins the leader
of the opposition on the republican side,
appealed to him to withdraw the point and
let the resolution go through. Shortly after
this. similar point being made by Jerry
simpson. the antagonists to the gold bond
resolution and critics of the adminStra-
ton gathered about the Kansas member
and begged him to withdraw the point.
Such eagerness on the part of the oppo-
nentS of measure to have it taken up for
consideration is thing before unheard OF.
Congress is anticipated during the day, and
the opponents of the Wilson resolution in
ilulge themselves in the perfect confidence
that the resolution will be defeated after
the administration has been given severe
castiSation ON the score OF the bond con-
tract.
Nr. Hopkins Criticism.
After the speech of Chairman Wilson,
opening the debate of his gold measure,
was concluded, profound sensation was
made in the House by the speech of Mr.
Hopkins, who voiced the republican oppo-
siton 10 the measure and criticised the
course of the President and Secretary of
the Treasury in parliamentar and temper
ate language. but with such severity as to
make deep Impression upon tho House.
Members Of, all parties We're gathered
closely around him, and a large number
of democrats Joined in the applause with
which his remarks We're greeted. His at
tack upon the administration was founded
upon the secret bargain entered into for
the sale of bonds, tn peculiar terms OF the
contract ard the fact that the bonds thus
sold in secret We're parted with at a
Ier cent premium, when Mr.. Carlisle had
ackDov l1Iasd in the committee that on
basiS of the sale of bonds far advanced
toward maturity these should he worth on
the market premium of over ~ per cent.
During the speech there We're wild demon
StratioHS OF approval and evidence of eX-
element in the House. In a minute
speech following Mr.. Hopkins. Mr.. Cannon
criticised the administration Nehementiy.