The herald., 1895-02-21
IN THE SENATE
Only Ten nembers Present-Jones Watching
His Silver Bill

| appropriation DlllS. OHlN Ten oeHdtuiS
were present when the session opened,
but the galleries were filed with delegates
to the Woman's National Association in
session here.
Mr.. Hill of New York, always watchful
against surprises, was one OF the earliest
corners. Mr.. Jones OF Arkansas, in charge
of the silver bill which still held its ad-
| vantage as the unfinished business, cir
culated among his associates. Mr. Platt,
| Republican, OF Connecticut; Mr.. Higgins,
Republican, of Delaware, and other Re-
PUBLICAN Senators were evidently prepared
to carry srward the opposition to the
silver BIN, and Mr. Higgins secured the
floor for a speech, but Mr.. Jones soon
came forward with an important an
nouncement.
1.-The friends OF the regular order-the
silver bill :" said he "have no wish to
risk the danger of an extra session of Con-
gress. They so stated at the outset of the
discussion. Events have shown that this
danger might be incurred and that the
great APPROPRIATION bills might be put in
| jeopardy For that reason the friends OF
the silver bill have authoized me to say
that it will not be further pressed at the
present session of Congress"
Mr.. Higgins then addressed the Senate
on the Wolcott resolution, that it was
meaningless and could effect nothing.
He said that the repeal OF the Sherman
law was notice to the void that the
United States would no longer be the
patient ass to bear the burden of silver.
At u O'Clock, the hour of unfinish ed
| hnu win
arose as to the precedence of the various
bills.
The wolcott resolution, under the rules
went to the calendar.
Mr.. German appealed to the Senators to
stop the fruitless discussion on the pend
ing Wolcott resolution and moved to take
up the Indian appropriation bill.
Mr.. Butler, in charge of the pooling bill,
objected and demanded Il roll call. The
motion prevailed, So to u.
The effect of the vote was to displace
the silver bill as the unfinished busi-
ness and to send it back TO the calendar.
The vote against the Indian bill was
not test of strength of the pooling bill
as many friends of that measure voted to
consider the Indian bill.
Mr. Manderson offered an amendment
to the Wocott resolution as follows:
Provided That efforts should be pressed
by the United States TO induce inter
national bimetallism, and any legislation
for free coinage of silver should provide
for the maintenance OF the parity be-
tween both metals to which the faith of
this country has been repeatedly pledged.
Mr.. Chandler addressed the Senate on
the Wolcott resolution. He said:
''In Difference to the prevailing opinion
OF New England, and because it may be
unwise to open our own mints to the I'M
limited coinage Of silver without CON
current action on the part OF other nations,
| shall vote for the pending resolution.
But | very much regret that | cannot
also vote in favor of some affirmative
measure in the direction of bmetallism
to promote which the Republican party
is sacredly pledged by the promises of its
National convention OF 1892, which as yet
nothing has been done to redeem. Gold
monometallism is our destiny if some
affirmative action in another direction is
not soon taken.
The credentials of Mr.. Carter, the Sen
ator whose term begins March 4th next,
were presented by Mr.. Power of Mon
tana
Mr.. Chandler, critcising the committee
amendments to the Indian bill, said he
considered an extra session OF Congress
inevitable. He claimed that the chair
man of the appropriation Committee
| (Cockrel) had reached this conclusion.
He thought this extra session would be
most desirable
81 am most hopeful, said Mr.. Chandler
'that the President will call Congress
together in extra session some time in
April or May. 1t will no doubt assist in
bringing back the stability of the country
to assemble a Republican Congress; that
Congress will undoubtedly take up the
Nicaraguan canal project and pass bill
for the building of the canal, not by a
private corporation but by the United
States. believe the next House of Rep
| resentatives will take steps to bring
about the certain and ultimate annexation
| of Hawaii.
Moreover the next Congress will in
augurate an investigation Of the recent
purchase of gold by the President of the
United States. That transaction is one
of the most remarkable in our history.
The rates at which our bonds were sold
involve a loss of 81, 000 600 to the people
of the United States. III ever n financial
transaction of an administration needed
an investigation it is the gold purchase.
II ever transaction needed searching
and severe committee of investigation,
such, for instance, " continued the Senator
satirically, 'as the Senate conducted
| against the sugar trust--it is the gold pur-
| chase.
After reviewing some of the features of
the purchase, Mr.. Chandler continued:
There appears to be more below the sur
| face concerning this transaction than the
country is aware of. 1t is not trans
| action that Congress can allow to be nm
| investigated 1t is sure to be nvcst
/ gated by the House OF Representatives.
| IL is likely to be investigated by the
| Senate. And, so, in order to see that in
vestigation thorough and deep, | hope to
see the extra session called
II an appropriation bill fails" said
Cockrell with emphasis, lit will be be-
cause OF the Senator (Chandler) and the
| Republican steering committee. So far
as the Appropriation Committee is con
cerned every effort is being made to ex-
pedite the appropriation bills. -
The debate reverted to the Indian bill.
which was not changed when, at &
O'Clock, the Senate held brief executive
session and then adjourned.