The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-02-21
SILVER VICTORY.
FRIENDS OF THE SILVER BILL
MAKE HEADWAY
,yn the Senate-Three Test Votes Carried
by Then-The Mexican War vet
Grams Pension Bill Passed IN
the House.

erans Pension Bill Passed III
the House.
Washington, Feb. 1S.-The senate was
a center Of interest today as result Oh
.the warm discussion on the financial ques-
|tion and the personal criticism OF the
Ipresident On Saturday.
Mr.. Villas Dem, Wis., had roll OF
srnanusCIirt and a pile before him early
no take no the financial debate, which
swas lett off at the previous session:
Mr. Stewart Pop, Nev.l was the hrst
Ia continue the criticism of the bond act.
glJis resolution was called up declaring
IEhat the government had no legal au-
Sthoritg 10 buy gold coin in preference to
4silver com for any cause whatever Mr.
tStewarr epoke of the Illuminating posi-
gtion OF the United States in being held
iby the throat by gold commission;
which had the powers to coerce ana
squeeze the country up to next Octooer
il tile contract expired.
Mr. Cray Dem., Del), who is recog-
nized rs close to the officials of the aa-
Jninistration, then took the floor. lie
EXPRESSED surprise that the senator IRON
Massachusetts QIodge) and Colorado
(WolcotN had gone so far out OF thelr
way to indulge in violent assault upon
the executive. The president had per
a 'eed a duty incumbent of him by law.
That law is such that any evasion ol o. IL
would have been q plain derellctloll'
Congress had made this law. No sooner
had congress assembled than the presl-
dent appied to congress concerning the
financial conditions. A bill was formed
1 on the plan suggested in that message anu
the house saw fit to reject it. Again the
president applied to congress. MI. GRAY
read from the presidents message urs-
iug patriotic and bipartisan acton 10
meet emergencies.
Does tie senator think, lnterJecteu
Mr. Stewart, that the president mas re-
established confidence in affairs by mr.
ing the assistance Of a foreign svhul-
cate p
Mr.. Gray said he would fully consider
that point later.
Processing with the presidents mes
sage the senator read the specific state
meut that the law did not provide for
bonds parable in gold. At that time
rhr scnator had not complained OF the
conditions nlearly set forth by the presl-
Dent. but lad waited until now to set
forth scathing denunciation. :.
"HDying thus applied to congress-
continued Mr.. Gray. "having thus pre-
.entod the situation to both branches
on congress III upptuio ''iiliO''' P''N,
in their earuestness, the president was lett
> alone "a struggle with the conditions and
to meet them
The senator told you of tremendous
drains of gold from the treasury running
up to ST0,000,000 in one week shortly
before this contract was made. From
December last up to the contract Sll,
G0O0O0 was withdrawn, and of this only
one-half was exported, showing that the
other half was boarded at home.
"Hns the senator lost sight of the
tJp asked Mr.. Wolcott, that the sec
-ary of the treasury has reported to
is that be Lad used $105, 100000 of that
gold for currencyW
This did not divert Mr.. Gray from his
line Cf argument as to the gold with
drawals for export and for boarding II
: ut home.
.'Right here I want to ask" said Mr..
PETER, is there any law which compeels
the secretary of the treasury to pay de
mand notes in gold instead of in silver!
81 have not said there was any such
law" replied Mr.. Gray. 81 know of nc
such law. But the obligation to maintain
the parity between the metals makes il
absolutely incumbent to treat these
: metals officially"
Mr.. Hill rose at this point to say that
the question of Mr.. Wolcott should not
20 unanswered The secretary of the
treasury had not reported to the senate
that he had used 1Oo,OOO,O0O of the
gold for current expenses.
Mr. Teller wanted to read the secre
tarys report, but Mr.. Gray would moi
yield.
"And this drain of gold continued,
resumed Mr. Gray, until the sub-treas
surer nj New York reported that they
could not hold out another day. Wher
the question came, was the country tt
20 to silver basis between sundown ano
sun up, or was it to secure the gold alb
solutely necessary to maintain a part!
and exchange ability between the TIVE
metals, what would you have said o.
The president had he not met the emer
gency and not performed his duty? W.
would have heard such animadversion
as those Of Saturday, for not res
l. cuing tie country from the grave crisl
! then presented. Action was imperative
II was 20 be done in "a hours. What tim.
was there to advertise for bids in gold!
Nh. Gray told of the gravity OF tn
conditions which compelled speedy ac
ton. -,
Mr.. yVolcott here came forward witt
another question. Does the senator no
know better than any one that 1t Is n(