The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-12
TO SILvERITES.
Doubtful if They Would Ac-
cept the Seigniorage.
Debate Over the Question Of Granting
the McCIernand Pension.

ocratlc members OF the house committee
on banking and currency to consider the
question on currency legislation.
Mr. Springer says no special line Of
action will be suggested To them, as IL will
be an exchange of views rather TO
agree on course. The substitute cur
rency bill Is In the hands Of Mr.. Carlisle,
receiving such changes as may overcome
objections. Outside OF the mem bership
OF the committee, little or no mention is
given TO the currency question, as mem
bers consider the case closed for the ses-
sion.
The feeling Is almost unanimous among
Democratic members that the question is
such as To make an extra session certain
but it Is equally unanimous that no au.
thorized or authentic statement to that ef-
feet has yet been given by Mr.. Cleveland.
Very little II any progress has been made
up to the present time by the Democratic
managers In the senate toward solving the
financial complications, except general
and thorough discussion Of the situation
by the members of the finance committee.
What the Democratic managers are anx-
ious to ascertain is whether the Republi.
can leaders will aid them in solving the
question. The Republican leaders, Alli-
TO commit themselves to any scheme or
plan until the Democrats present some
definite measure.
The position of the administration In
the matter Is said TO be one of ac-
quiescence in any measure that can pass
both houses, provided that IL does not go
too far in the direction OF silver. 1t will
agree TO the coinage of the seigniorage as
"A concession TO the silver men, but the sill
YER advocates will not accept this. They
feel that they are In position now where
they can dictate their own terms.
Congressional Doings.
Practically the whole OF the session of
the senate was occupied in the discussion
of Mr.. Hills amendment 70 the urgent de-
fciency bill. designed to afford an oppor-
tunity 10 test the constitutionality Of the
income tax law. Mr.. Hill delivered long
and carefully prepared speech in support
OF his amendment
Mr.. Dubois followed In support Of the
appropriation TO make tho law operative,
but soon drifted into discussion of the
silver question, In which he said no cur
rency bill could pass that was not liberal
toward silver.
Mr.. Quay supported Mr.. Hills amend
next Republican congress TO repeal the
law. Messrs Sherman and Mitchell
thought the appropriation should be made
Before adjournment Mr.. Morgan raised
and the chair sustained point OF order
against the amendment from which Mr.
Hill appealed and action on this will be
had later.
1t was private bill day In the house, but
only one bill was considered-a claim OF
the heirs of William Johnson OF Fayette
county, Tenn, for $4,000 worth of stores
conhscated during the war. Three hours
were consumed I'm debate, but on account
OF the opposition the bill was finally with
drawn.
Before the regular order was demanded,
nine bills were passed by unanimous con.
sent. The most important was to amend
the shipping act Of Aug 10, 1890. so as to
eliminate some OF the penal provisions of
that act which had proved unduly harsh
in their application to seamen on board
vessels engaged in the coastwise and
nearby foreign trade. Another bill was
passed TO protect the salmon fisheries of
Alaska
The Feature of the Night Session
OF the house was the debate which grew
n bill granting 500 month to Major Gen
eral John A. McClernand
Mr.. Jones (Dem., Va) insisted on max
idg the point OF no quorum. Mr.. Springer,
i'm heated speech, lectured those Of his
southern Democratic colleagues who con.
stantly assumed an attitude of hostility
toward the pension of Union soldiers He
called attention TO the fact that but 13
Democrats had been returned to the next
house from the north. He warned them
that IL their course was persisted in, none
would be returned the succeeding con.
gress.
Mr.. Pence Pop, Colo.), in an earnest
speech, appealed TO Mr.. Jones to with
draw his point. He was speaking Of the
distinguished patriotic services Of General
McClernand, when Mr.. Waugh crop,
lnd.) threw n bombshell into the discus
sion by asking II tho beneficiary of this
bill was not the same General John A.
McClernand who was retired from com.
mand before Viclxsburg by General Grant
for unsoldierly conduct, and Of whom Gen.
eral Hallcck said 10 was preneditated mur-
der To place him In command
The atSlck on McClernand came from an
unexpected source, and Mr.. Marsh REP
llls) AMI others fastened TO his de-
fense. Mr.. Marsh declared hotly that
General McClernand had never been
guilty OF uIsoldierly conduct and the his
tory of the transaction would show that
he had not been removed by General
Grant for that reason and that General
Grants action In this case was mistake.
The Battle Waves Warm.
The discussion was prolonged for more
than two hours and was marked by sew
oral sensational scenes. one OF which was
the kissing OF Nv Jones when no said that
the widow OF General Logan, who received
pension of $3.50 a year, was living In so.
cial luxury in this city and annually spent
poro than her pension money for flowers
displayed by her 10 her social functions
Later on, when hnproclaimed his pride In
the Confederate cause that had gone down
in defeat. the Republicans In chorus
shouted: I'VE have no 6oubt OF t." but
In the gailcrics many OF the spectators ap
plnudcd vigorously.
Mr.. Springer was finally forced to with.
"A H.. I.al 1..a