The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-20
Villas DEFENDS cleveland
In Speech on the Silver Coinage Bill
He Excuses the Bond Issue.
WHITE METAL DEBATE OPENED
Antagonists of the Jones Bill Refuse to
Fix Any Time for Il Final Vote on
tho MeaSurc-Navy Dis.
cusscd in House.
By the United Press.

Washington, Feb. 19-There was an
unusual attendance of senators this
morning, probably in view of the eX-
pected contest over the free silver coin
age bill a communication was pre-
sented and read from the secretary of
the treasury in response TO a resolution
of the senate in which the secretary
states the balance in the treasury to
be-eXclusive Of $4,000 900 gold reserve
-$99, ,S7j,2S4. The secretary states it as
his opinion that the secretary of the
treasury ought to be permanently in
vested with authority to issue and sell
short time bonds or other obligations
for the purpose of meeting ordinary
deficiencies, although he does not think
there is any necessity at this time for
the exercise of such authority if It ex-
listed. He is of the opinion that for the
next fiscal year the receipts will exceed
the expenditures.
Mr.. Jones, Arkansas, moved that the
senate proceed with the regular order
the silver coinage bill. An objection to
displacing morning business was inter-
posed by Mr. Hill. New York.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Jones'
motion to take up the silver bill, and it
was agreed to. Yeas 50, nays q. The
bill. having been taken up, and read in
full, Mr.. Jones having charge of II, sug-
gested that an hour be fixed today for
taking the final vote on its passage.
The Speech of MIR. Villas.
This suggestion precipitated a long
discussion, the opponents of the bill re-
fusing to consent to fixing "a time for
the vote to be taken. The general de-
bate on the bill then begun, and Sena-
tor Villas, Wisconsin, made a long
speech in defense of the president of
the United States and his secretary of
the treasury in the matter of the sale
of siXty-two millions of per cent.
bonds, for gold. The speech was made
ON the bill before the senate for the
coinage of silver, but had no reference
whatever to that bill.
Mr.. Villas spoke for nearly four hours.
When took his seat, Mr.. Squire wash
ingtOm sent to the clerks desk and had
read the act of June %. 1878, expressly
declaring that all United States bonds
payable in coin should be paid in gold
or silver coin at the option of the gov
ernment. The act, he said, was fun
and complete answer to the entire ar
gument of the senator from Wisconsin,
After Mr.. Villas speech Mr.. Platt
(ConnecticuD made a speech against
the silver bill itself. Another effort
was made by Mr.. Jones to have a time
fixed for taking the final vote on the
bill; but as lts antagonists refused to
fix any time the debate went on.
Obstruction Tactics.
At 8 p. IN. the Republican opponents
of the bill began IL system of obstruc-
ton tactics under the lead of Mr.
Aldrch. He moved that the senate
proceed to executive business. but all
but six of the Republican senators
withheld their votes, and when. at ,
y. m, the quorum was completed, the
motion for an executive session was
withdrawn and the following resolution
was offered by Mr.. Wolcott (being the
one agreed upon among the negotia.
tors:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the
senate that the welfare and prosperity
of the United States require the enact
ment of law for the free and unlimit-
ed coinage Of silver at the ratio of 16
to /.
Resolved, That in view of the fact
that this congress will expire by law
on March 4, and that there are import
ant appropriation bills requiring the
attention of the senate, II is the sense
of the senate that the consideration of
such law be not entered upon at this
session of congress,
LET that resolution lie over until
tomorrow and be printed" said Mr..
Jones, of Arkansas.
The resolution went over and the sem
ate, at 9 p. M, on motion of Mr.. Jones,
adjourned.
House Considers the Naval Bill.
Another day was spent in the house
In consideration of the naval appropri-
alton bill without disposing of II.
The proceedings were marked by sew
eral spirited passages between Mr.. Say
ers Dem, Tex). chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations and members
of the committee on naval affairs. over
amendments offered by the former to
reduce the amounts carried In the bill.
only in two OF these was the Texas
member successful, and then the
amounts were insignificant. At the be-
ginning of the consideration of the BILL
Chairman o'Neill Dem., Mass) over
ruled the point of order yesterday by
Mr.. Sayers against the proposed in
crease of the force of enlisted men In