The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-19
IN THE SENATE
The Free Silver Bill Put Ahead OF the
the Appropriations.

ne free silver Bill Puf Ahead OF the
the Appropriations.
Washington City, Feb 1s.-The senate
was the center of interest today, as !.
result of the warm discussion of the
financial question and personal criticisms
of the president Saturday. Stewart $
resolution, declaring that the government
had no legal authority to buy gold coin
in preference to silver coin for any cause
whatever. was called up. Stewart spoke
of the humiiiating position of the United
States in being held by the throat by a
gold commission which had the power to
eoerce and squeeze the country up to
next October. when their contract ex-
pired.
Gray then took The floor. He expressed
surprise that the senator's from Massa-
chusetts Uodgc) and Colorado (Wolcott)
had 50 far gone out of their way 10 in
duige in a violent assault upon the ex-
ecutige. The president had performed the
duty incumbent on him by law. That
law was such that evasion of it would
have been a plain dereilation OF duty.
The law made 1t necessary to maintain
parity between the metals by redeemlng
in either. No sooner had congress as
sembled than the president appealed 20
congress concerning the country's nnan-
cial condition. A bill was formed on the
lines suggested in that message. and
the house saw flt to reject it. Again
the president APPLIED to congress. Gray
read from the presidents message. urg-
Ing patriotic and bipartisan action to
meeo the emergency.
Does the senator think" interriIpted
Stewart, that the president has re-
a IL tE ~ ssNfl h..
ing the assistance Of a foreign syndi-
cate?''
Gray said he would fully consider that
point later. Proceeding with the presi-
dents message. the senator read the spe-
ellie statement that the law did not pro-
vide for bonds payable In gold. At that
time Lodge had no. complained OF the con-
dirions clearly set forth by the president.
but had waited uatil now 10 present his
scathing denunciation Having presented
the situation TO both branches of congress.
In appeals almost pathetic In their earn
estness." said Gray. .the president was
left alone TO struggle with the condition
and meet It." The senator told OF the tre-
mendous drains OF gold from the treasury.
running up to s7.eso.ooo In one week shortly
before the contract, was made. From De-
cenher to the time OF the contract ST.
eaoo3 was Withdrawn and only half of IL
WAS exported. showing that the other
half was boarded az home.
HAS the senator lost sigh, OF the fact. :,
asked wolcott. that the secretary or the
treasury has reported 10 Us that he had
used sl05.o coo or more goi3 for current
expenses 80
This ala not diver; Gray from his sIne
OF argument as 20 the gold withdra walls
for export and for boarding 1t az home.
'+Rlghs here / want 70 ask" said PETER.
'fs there any law which compeis The sec
rstary OF The treasury 20 pay demand
notes In geld instead af in silverr''
II have not said there was any such
law replied Gray. 81 know Of no such
Law. But The obligation - maintain the
parity between the laws makes IL abso-
lately incumbent 10 treat these metals
equally"
HILL rose At t7sss point n say shas the
QUESTION of wolcots shoald not 90 IN
answered TT1e secretary ~ The trea ssiry
has nos reported ~ the senate that Re
has used slg5. eee 90 % the gold for cur
rent expenses.
Taller wanted To read the secretary $
re,sSsgS. bat Gray wu,iId not yYelA
Gray then urgSf the support of the Hili
resolution for paving in the best money
sa use.
EE,ar aSse8 x Il ~~" So sat the