The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-22

WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-The session of
the Senate today was notable in bringing
out very pointed statement from Mr..
Dubois (Rep., Idaho), who was understood
to voice the views of the silver element in
the Senate, that no financial legislation
was possible along the lines declared by
President Cleveland and strenuously
urged in the message of last evening. II
was patent to every senator, Mr.. Dubois
said, and should be understood by the
public, that the presidents desire for the
retirement of the greenbacks or the au-
thorization of the bond issue were utterly
impossible of accomplishment. The only
action the Senate would take, IL it was
given the opportunity to vote, would be to
adopt the resolution of Mr.. Vest (Dem ,
Mo-, offered earlier in the day, directing
the coinage of silver bullion in the treas
ury and the payment of government OBJ
legations in silver.
The first response to the presidents
message urging financial relief came in
the form of q resolution offered by Mr..
Vest, a. follows:
treasury is hereby directed, in pursuance of
the existing law vesting in him full power
to do so, to coin as rapidly as possible the
silver bullion in the treasury, purchased
under the act of July IA, 1890, into STAN
dard silver dollars, and with such dollars
to redeem, cancel and retire the treasury
notes of the United States of July IA,
1890, issued in the purchase of such
bullion. and also to redeem the United
States notes, commonly called greenbacks,
in standard silver dollars, as we'll as In
gold, using whichever may be most abund-
ant and convenient.
Mr.. Vest asked immediate consideration
of the resolution, but Mr.. Platt (Rep.,
Conn. objected and the subject went over.
Mr.. Butler Pop, N. CO soon brought
forward the subject in another form by
asking immediate consideration for a reso-
luton directing the secretary of the treas
ury to pay government obligations in gold
when the parity of the metals stood at
25 $40 grains of gold for 412H grains of
silver, and to pay in silver when this parity
was disturbed by the advance in the value
Of gold.
Again Mr.. Platt objected.
A letter from Secretary Olney gave a
congratuIatory cabIeeram from the Brazil
ian senate, transmitted through Minister
Mendonca of Brazil, of President Cleve-
lands recent enuncation of the Monroe
doctrine. The message is as follows:
1.-THE federal senate of the United States
Of Brazil sends its greeting to the senate of
the 7 lited States upon the worthy mes
sage o. President Cleveland. who 80 stren-
ously guards the dignity, the sovereignty
and the freedom of the American nations. 81
Mr.. Proctor (Rep., Vt.) submitted a reso-
hutton asking the secretary of war to sub.
NIT information as to what amount could
be profitably expended for coast defenses
up to July, 1897. The resolution went
over.
At o'clock the senate went into execu-
tive session.
When the doors were reopened Mr.. Stew.
art took the floor for sharp criticism of
l. 4 Al
presidents upholdipg of the Monroe doc
trine had placed him on a high level, but
the message of last evening had suddenly
reduced him to a very low level. The
United states had the resources to create
the money for any emergency. Wars were
mot fought ON a gold basis.
1t was the inherent strength of nation
that won victories. England had main
tai'ied her position during the Napoleouic
wyrs by placing fiat on the bills of the
FAnk of England. Let the president say
that United States obligations would be
paid in silver, and there would be no fur
ther raids on the treasury. If London
wanted a financial war we could meet it.
Mr.. Dubois regretted that the president
had felt called upon to send such a tinan.
cial message at this time. The president
must have known that he cannot accom-
plish either a retirement of the greenbacks
or the authorization of the bonds. The
RorbiD1O kObult WOuAd 10 w PACCAPitatO a
tariff agitation. And, 30 far as financial
legislation is concerned, the country should
underst nd, as every senator here under
stands, mat as soon as the senate had an
opportunity it would adopt the resolution
offered today by Senator Vest to coin silver
bullion and to pay government obligations
In silver. Senators knew the measure
would be adopted If brought to vote. MIR.
Dubois referred to the hopeless situation
presented by the presidents message, a
situation impossible to remedy by imme-
diate legislation, as the president and every
man conversant with public affairs was
we'll aware.
j At 40 p. m. the senate adjourned until
next Tuesday.
Senator Squire of Washington has intro.
duced bill which will greatly increase the
usefulness as naval reserve vessels of many
steamships carrying the American flag.
The bill provides that hereafter all the
engineers Of ocean steamers carrying an
American register shall be full-fiedged citi-
sens of olr country; also that such engi-
neers shall officially be declared officers.
A careful investigation of the laws govern
ing the merchant marine shows that it is
possible under decision of the secretary
of the treasury for all ocean steamers
carrying the American flag to have their
engine room complement made up entirely
of foreigners who have simply declared
their intention of becoming citizens of our
country.