The herald., 1895-01-31
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.


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THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
An Animated Consideration By the
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-A very anima-
ted consideration of tho financial queu.
ton took place in the senate - soon ~
the session opened today. Cullom,
Repa blicsn, Of Illinois. prevented a
dispatch from all the leading banks of
Chicago, urging that the presidents
recommendations be carried out at the
earliest day possible.
Vest, Democrat, OF Missouri, followed
with q similar dispatch from the st.
Louis chamber OF commerce. This was
the text for one of the most stirring
scenes that the senate hsa seen in
many days.
Vest said that the chamber OF com-
merce OF st. Louis did not represent
the feelings Of the people of Missouri on
the financial question. He did not be-
lieve che people favored a retire msnt Of
$500, 900, 900 Of gresnbaoks sud treasury
notes and the substitution of no cur
rency at all. He did not believe they
favored gold obligations running 80 years
with interest aggregating $3.50, 900. 900 at
the end Of that time. 1t was
selfish suggestion that posterity
should be left to pay this bad
debt. The obligations of this senate
were az binding toward posterity as to-
ward the present generation. II was as
much the duty of the uenate to protect
the future as to adopt the suggestion of
the president to look out for itself. 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 crowded galleries.
1.-The president has declared war on
silver" proceeded Vest. He will make
us accessories to this effort to fix the gold
standard upon u.s."
CAN BE MET WITH SILVER.
The ssnssor asked II any man really
believed the supposed emergency could
not be met by the treasury payments in
silver. And yet the impression was
being conveyed to the public that the
country was on the brink Of ruin. II
the president had the power he would
force us to the single gold STANDARD.
But" said Vest impressively, and
raising his right hand In emph asis, $50
far as I ana concerned. will never vote
to issue bonds to eeoure gold and place
as on q single standard"
Oullom rose at this point with . quss-
ton as to what the finance committee,
OF which Veat is q mem Dor, intended do.
ing toward occurring some definite policy.
Vest paused for q moment before re-.
plying and then sid:
ut might be more proper to let the
chairman of the finance committee an
swer that question, but in his absence
I will say that do not believe there is
any possibility of the finance committee
agreeing on sny measure to report to
the senate"
WASTE OF WORDS.
Vest proceeded to nay that the talk
about lack OF revenue a. suggested by
Oullom was . waste Of words. He had
talked with the secretary Of the treas
ury only the day before and had been
assured that the revenues were ample.
Cullom-So the secretary Of the
treasury 10 ready to assure us hs has
all the revenue he wants2
Vest-Yes, 1t 10 more asing from day
to day to such an extsnt that there
promises to be large surplus.
Cullom-Do you state this, or 10 IL
. statement OF the Secretary OF the
treasury?
Vest-I make the statement on direct
information from the secretary Of the
treasury.
Resuming bis speech, Vest said he
was against the gold standard. II was
was badge Of oppression.
land am to be made ACCESSORY to
the psrpstration OF this gold system 2"
asked the senator. SIT is not pleasant"
he continued, "to differ with the head
OF my party. l have remained silent
for many months in order not to add to
the discord within our great party. But
we have reached the parting OF the
WAYS; l will 60 no further" Vest
closed with the emphatic declaration
that party fealty could never lead him
to aid in fastening the gold standard
on the country. II the St. Louis cham
Der OF commerce wanted some one to
help toward that end they would have
to find same one else than he.
Wolcott said this was just such an
other plan as that adopted more than q
year and half ago to force the repeal
OF the silver purchsaing act. At that
time the banks began their campaigns
with kilograms to senators, followed by
instructions to oil the business men
who had loans that unless the silver
law was repealed to loans would not be
renewed. Now. ~ then, lying reports
OF prosperity to follow coneressiona
action were being circulated with .
view to influence the senate and force
the gold standard more thoroughly
upon the people. II the eastern banks,
with their dishonest methods, seek to
control the Liquidation OF the country,
they must preceds the effort by the
adoption OF more honorable ways than
those that now mark their program me
of coercion.
sHKIlMAN's VIEWS.
Whln Senator Sherman rose to give