The record-union., 1895-02-01
Critical Stage in the Discussion
Precipitated in the Senate.
GORMAN POINTS OUT THE GRAVITY
OF THE SITUATION.
Intimates that Facts are Held Back,
and that an Investigation of the
Condition of the Treasury Would
Show Startling Deficiencies Pro-
ceedings In the House.
Special to the REcoRp-UN1ow.

pecteQly pr9clpltateu III tuS SehaIo o' O
late hour to-day. Intermittent refer
ences had been made to the subIecf
throughout the day, but it was without
definite form or purpose, and the Senate
finally lapsed into discussion of the
District of Columbia appropriation bill.
But the financial question arose accl-
dentally, and finally, at O'Clock, Mr..
German launched a speech which proved
to be one of the most effective ne has de-
livered at the present session OF Con-
gress He pointed out the gravity OF the
Treasury situation, intimatlng that the
facts were being held back, and that an
investigation would show startling de-
ficiencies. He defended the Senate
against the charges of impotency, and de-
cIared that he had perfect faith that this
great body would do its full duty before
Congress adjourned. He said financial
remedy would. if necessary, be added as
rider to an appropriation bill.
Spurred on by the energy MIR. German
had suddenly injected into the question,
the Senate at once proceeded To consider
and pass three important resolutions
calling upon Secretary Carlisle for IN
formation concerning every detail bear
ing on revenues, reserves, deficiencies,
etc.
A warm party debate occurred during
the CaV on the question of party eXtraVa-
gance. Chandler, Platt and other Re-
publican Senators asserted that the total
appropriations for this Congress would
reach 81 ,0l0, 100000, a million dollars IN
excess of the billion appropriated by the
Fifty-first Congress-.
Senator-eIect Thurston (Rep.) of Ne
braska was on the floor of the Senate to-
day, and was introduced by Manderson,
whom he succeeded.
Hill of New York presented to the
Senate the petition OF the Hide and
Leather Trade OF New York toward the
issue of $500, ,O00, 900 of gold bonds.
PETER CPop.) OF Kansas wished to intro
duce a financial resolution, and to preface
IL with statement.
Harris Dem.) of Tennessee objected to
the vicious practice of making arguments
when measures were presented.
PETER characterized this objection as
cruel in view OF the recent vice latitude
OF financial discussion.
The title of his resolution is "To pro-
vide for special election to take the
sense of the people concerning several
questions as to the financial policy of the
government
The resolution by Allen (Pop.) of Ne
braska was then taken up, requiring the
Secretary OF the Treasury TO redeem Gov
ernment obligations in silver as often as
y
being made to deplete the gold reserve
and 1orce an issue of bonds.
Allen said he had no hope of its pas
sage, but he wanted to call public atten-
ton TO the action of the Secretary of the
Treasury in ignoring the law which gave
him the opportunity of paying certain
obligations in silver, and made it inn
perative that they should redeem at least
Two forms of currency III silver. 1t was
an usurpation OF authority. He praised
Vest for refusing to follow the Presl
dents dictatorship,
Allen sought TO secure a yea and nay
vote on his resolution, but after consid-
erable parliamentary sparring he failed
in this.
German interposed with a motion to
take up pending District of Columbia
bill. He said it was perfectly apparent
this discussion of financial resolutions
was utterly fruitless. Appropriation bills
were waiting, and the days of Congress
were flying fast.
This brought Hill to his feet. He sug-
gested to German that there were meas
ures quite as important as appropriation
bills, and he considered several of these
financial resolutions as among these.
Chandler (Rep.) of New Hampshire
interjected privileged resolution assert
ing that at the time of the recent election
of Martin to the United States Senate by
the Legislature of Kansas the latter body
Martin was not entitled to his seat.
The presiding officer ruled that the
resolution was not privileged.
Chandler appealed from the decision of
the Chair.
German moved to lay the appeal on the
table.
The appeal was laid on the table 80 to 6,
many Repu Dlican Senators not voting.
An effective step was taken at this point
to bring the entire financial question be-
fore the Senate instead of leaving it any
longer with the Finance Committee.
Mcpherson (Dem.) of New jersey a
member Of the committee, moved to dis
charge the committee from further con-
sideration of the bill of Sherman to pro-
vide a temporary means of meeting
deficiencies. II do this" said McPher-
son, for the purpose Of bringing the
matter before the Senate at this time"
Cockren (Deln.) OF Missouri offered an
objection.
Mcpherson said that in view of the OBJ
lection he would call up the resolution
tomorrow, but Cockrell insisted that his
objection was against the rec ption of the
resolution. The Finance Committee is
unable to agree" explained Mcpherson.
land it is therefore desirable to get the
subject before the Senate
The NicePresident said he would rule
on the resolution when it came up later.
and the Senate then took up the District
of COlumbia appropriation bill.
Chandler took occasion during the dis
cussiOn 10 say that the present conditions
promised to be much more than bill
ion-doliar Congress-" That cry had been
hurled against the Republican party. and
now, instead of the stern economy prom
ised in stump speeches, this record of the
Republicans was to be far outdone.
Harris said he had far greater respect
for the estimates OF officials as to their
needs for appropriations than he had for
Chandler.
German said he was not SURPRISED that
Chandler should feel the results of that
public rebuke which the people gave the
Repu blicanS for their extravaganza 81
hope and expect that the total expendi-
lures OF this Congress will be under a
billion dollars" said German, "but this
Xpenditure-approX a billion
must go on as result of the policy set by
Republican Congress" He reminded
Chandler of the difference between econ
omy and parsimony.
Platt (Rep.) of Connecticut said that
party discussion had thus far been with
held by the Republican side of the cham
ber. The time had come to show the false
pretenses OF the party in power. NO
spendthrift ever squandered his patri-
mony with such reckless exIraya-
gance as the Democratic party
during the last two years." said Platt
The only reduction made by this Ad-
mInistratlon was in cutting down pen
sions, taking it out Of the pockets OF the
soldiers
Chandler said the total appropriations
for the present Congress would reach
81 ,0i0, 100000.
Don't you believe in this district ap-
preparation ?" asked German.
Don't you believe in the Democratic