Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-15
The Joint Resolution Authorizing the
Issue of Gold Bonds.
AN INTERESTING DAY IN The HOUSE
Four Great Speeches Made on the
Question.
THE VOTE IN DE It Al L

by vote of 16l to 10. The day was one
of intense interest to the close. Great
earnestness marked all the speeches. This
was manifested markedly by the temper
ate language in which the most severe
criticism of the administration was made.
1t was recognized by every one. as indi-
Gated in The Star yesterday, that the bill
could not pass. Yet the session was re-
garded as one of the most interesting. and
In many ways. most important of this Con-
gress inasmuch as IL fixed the attitude of
men. and was a sort of preliminary survey
to the readjustment of party lines, which
many expect on the financial question.
Interest I'm MIR. Reed.
Almost as much interest manifested
Al the attitude of Mr.. Reed as in the fate
Of the bill His speech was awaited with
tne utmost In terest and the principal topic
If discussion In connection with the pro-
ceedings was the effect which his attitude
toward the resolution would have The nm
usual circumstance of the republican party
being seriously divided. and the still more
extraordinary thing of but minority OF
them being on the side of Mr.. Reed. added
an interest to the situation and Facilitated
gossip
tribute TO republicans who wished to de-
fend the Joint resolution. but had very lit
tie demand upon his time from his col
leagues; so little that he was able TO yield
ten minutes to Mr. Hepburn of Iowa, who
consumed the time in the delivery OF one
of the strongest speeches made in opposi-
ton to the resolution and in criticism OF
the bond contract.
Mr.. Bryan on the Issue.
The four great speeches of the day were
those of Hopkins. Hepburn. Bryan and
Reed Vhe question before the House was
magnifed to one of the greatest import
hv
Mr. Reed who contended that the whole
matter was being exaggerated. MIR. Bryan.
In concluding his speech. delivered after
The Stars report closed, said:
THE issue has cone. You have got 10
meet this proposition. On these questions
We find that the democrats of the east and
the republicans of the east lock arms ana
proceed To carry out their policy without
reference to the rest of the country. But,
Mr. Speaker. If they do that they must ex-
pect that on the principle of self-preserva-
tion the rest of the country will drop party
lines and unite to preserve their homes
ard their welfare. CApplauSe) The de-
mand of our eastern brethren. both repub-
licens and democrats, Is for steadily ap-
preciating standard of value. They are
the creditors: they hold our bonds and our
mortgages. and as the dollars come up
herc and the debts increase they gather an
uncarne1 Increment And the time will
come in this country when the unjust ex-
actions and the oppressive demands of our
eastern friends shall heal the divisions in
the west and south and end in the restora-
tion of the doctrines of Jefferson, that
every man is the equal of every other man
and has an equal right to the considera-
ton of the government"
Mr.. Reeds Great Speech.
Mr.. Reed arose. Instantly the hum of
voices ceased and hush fell on the House.
MIR. Speaker" he began, that doctrine
of the union of the south and west has
been preached before. and by prophets
OF the gentleman from Nebraska CMr Bry-
am. GaughterJ But it has been a fail
ure. 1t always will be a failure. We not
only send our property west, but We send
our children there. and no man who crosses
from east TO west can fail to be struck by
tie fact that there is, after all, a unity of
sentiment between the two sections of the
country that no language will ever blot
out or destroy. The southern and northern
d. mocrats may not be able to live together
am glad they are not able to live togeth-
e.. But i say to you that the republicans
OF the east and of the west, of the north
and OF the south, have thus far found some
method of living together. and they will in
the future applause the republican
side.D
The Comparatively Small Matter Mt
Hand.
Now let me address myself to the COM
paratively small matter at hand 0augh-
teri 1 have witnessed periods of great
often happens in the history OF this House
and of this country that events which
seem to be very stirring and striking and
to portend tremendous future, are not
thought of much a fortnight after the oc-
currence. L admit, however, the import
ance in many ways of the proceedings of
this House at this time. L wish the results
were not Il foregone conclusion. / wish
that there were something more than lam
guage left TO us today. U-aughter) But
that being all that there really is al stake
as the matter will turn out, as gentlemen
know, ii seems to very important that
whatever we say here will have tendency
10 strengthen the credit of the govern
ment. We are not through with our diff
Guilty. We have long months in front of
us before the period of recuperation sets
In. We ought not to say anything or do
anything which will make that period of
revival longer in coming than it ought to
be. the efore feel called upon for my
part TO reinforce the remarks so ably made
by my friend. the gentleman from Illinois
tNlr. Cannon. as to what the government
has done in the past with it's bonds Its
bonds today ought to stand in the front
rank of national bonds. If honesty of eff
fort In the payment of the same could
count Tor anything In the history of this
country. Gentlemen say that we are at
liberty to pay these bonds in something
else besides the equivalent of gold
Whether we are or not, the fact remains
that. urged on by an memorable law, We
have thus far paid in gold or it's euuiva-
lent every man in this House believes
that we shall do so in the future.
All Agreed as to the Result.
This does not in any way initiate
against anybody's belief as to bimetalllsm,
whether International or national For
men who are in favor of the free coinage
of silver are so because they believe that
free coinage of silver would bring silver to
n parity with gold. Therefore all sides of
this House-in parties which are recog-
niZed In the government of the country
UauShter are agreed as to the result, and
IL Is great pity that should be in a
condition so that anybody could make any
other charge. But diseases Turk ready to
attack system which has been weakened
by other disease. or by cold or exposure.
Now the trouble of our situation is that
our body polite. our government, has been
so reduced by two years of party rule of
such a character that our expenses are not
paid by our income and that the govern
ment of the United States is for the time
being running behind
Criticism Upon the Past.
whatever severity of criticism is be-
slowed upon the present situation. a great
er severity of criticism is to be bestowed
upon the past, and this agreement, present