The record-union., 1895-01-31
CONGRESSIONAL DOINGs.
Yesterdays Proceedings in the House
and Senate.


Yesterdays Proceedings in the House
and Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.--The House to-
day entered upon the consideration Of the
bill to fund the debt due the Government
from the Union Pacific and Kansas Pa
cifc roads with 3 per cent. ffty-year
bonds. a special order was brought in
giving to-day aud tomorrow for debate,
but the opposition to it was so intense
and determined that a compromise was
forced by which the time for debate was
extended one day.
Mr.. Reilly, the Chairman of the Pacific
Railroad Committee, consumed most of
the remainder of the day with the open
ing argument in favor of the measure,
which included a detailed history of the
roads and their Indebtedness, an eXplana-
ton of the bill and the advantages which
would accrue to the Government in the
event OF its passage.
Harris of Kansas made the only other
speech of the day. He was bitterly op-
posed to the bin, claiming it would allow
''the scoundrelS who had plundered the
road and the Government, who had de-
bauched public morals and public men,
to keep their ill-gotten gains.'' He pre-
ferred TO see the Government take charge
Of the roads rather than this should hap
pen.
The House then adjourned until II
O'Clock tomorrow.
IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-The session of
the Senate to-day was unusually eventful
i'll giving expression to the intense feel
ing which has been aroused by the tinan-
cial question, and to the apparent hope
lessness of relieving the situation. Sher-
man OF Ohio spoke for the first time since
nj nj cit
were presented. Vest lent personal in
terest 10 the debate by declaring that the
President was seeking to make Congress
an accessory to the welding Of the single
gold standard on the people. The SEN
ator asserted, with dramatic emphasis,
that he had thus far held his peace, but
that there must now be a separating OF
the ways between him and the President,
The Senate spent the rest of the day in
executive session on the japanese treaty,
which was ratified.
ga very animated consideration of the
financial question took place in the Sem
ate as soon as the session opened to-day
Cullom (Rep.) of Illinois presented a
dispatch from all the leading banks of
Chicago, urging that the Presidents
recommendations be carried out at the
earliest day possible.
Vest (Dem.) of Missouri followed with
similar dispatch from the st. Louis
Chamber of Commerce.
This was the text for one of the most
inspiring scenes the Senate has had in
many days. Vest said that the Chamber
OF Commerce of st. Louis did not repre-
sent the feelings of the people of Missouri
or the country on the financial situation.
He did not believe the people favored
retirement Of S50O,0O0,0OC of greenbacks
and treasury notes, and the substitution
OF no currency at all. He did not believe
they favored gold obligations running
NJ,
$4,000 GOO at the end of that time. / was
selfish suggestion, that pOSterity should
be left TO pay this bad debt. The obliga-
tons OF this Senate were as binding to-
ward pOsterity as toward the present
generation. 1t was as much the duty of
the Senate to protect the future as to
adopt the suggestion of the President to
look alter the present and let the future
look out for itself.
Mr.. Vest was by this time putting such
energy and dramatic force in his words
that he was given eager attention from the
Senators, and from the crowded galleries.
"The President has declared war on sill
ver," proceeded Vest. lie will make
us aid in this effort to fix the gold stand
ard upon u.s."
The Senator asked if any man really
believed the supposed emergency could
not be met by treasury payments in sill
Yer. And yet the Impression was being
conveyed to the public that the country
was on the brink of ruin. II the Presi-
dent had the power he would force us to
the single standard. But" said Vest,
impresslvely, and raising his right hand
in emphasis. so far as | am concerned,
viii never vote to issue bonds to secure
golQ ana place us on single standard"
Cullom rose at this point with a cues
ton as to what the Finance Committee
of which ' est is a Nom ber, intended do
ing toward securing some definite policy.
est paused for moment before reply
ing, and then said: ''It might be more
proper to let the Chairman of the Finance
Committee answer that question, but in
his absence, will say that l do not be-
lIeve there Is any possibility of the Iii
nance Committee agreeing on any meas
ure to report to the Senate"
The announcement-the first that had
been openly made as TO the situation in
the Finance Conmittee-was received
with marked attention and evident sur
prise.
Vest proceeded to say that the talk
about lack of revenue as suggested by
Cullom was waste of words. He had
talked with the Secretary of the Treasury
only the day before, and had beens as
sured that the revenues were ample.
Cullom-So the Secretary of the Treas
ury is ready to assure US he has ali the
revenue he wants?
Nest-Yes, IL is increasing from day to
day to such an extent that there promises
to be large surplus.
Cullom-Do you state this, or is it
statement OF the Secretary OF the Treas
ury?
Nest-I make the statement on direct
Information from the Secretary OF the
Treasury.
Resuming his speech, Vest said he was
against the gold standard. 1t was a
bondage of oppression. "And am to be
maze accessory to the preparation of
this gold system ?'' asked the senator.
"It is not pleasant" he continued. ito
differ with the head of my party. | have
remained silent for many months i'm
order not to add to the discord within our
great party. But we have reached the