The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-15
TOUGH ON THE TAX PAYERS.
THE DEFEAT OF THE GOLD BONDS
TO COST THEM sI0,OOO,OOO.


Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
Statesmen cn Top in the Lower
House of CongreSs-Turner OF
Georgia Makes n Business-IiIze
Plea for the Gold BOnds-IivinG-
ston Fails in an Attempt TO he
Funny-Brynn of Nebraska Makes
Himself Ridiculous In an Attempt
10 Pose as n Martyr.
Washington, Feb. 14.-By q vote Of 165
10 12s the House to-day decided to impose
upon the tax payers of the country sl6-
Jo4o00 in CONNECTION with the gold loan
which the President recently negotiated.
Men who have heretofore posed before
their constituents as economists when a
few hundred dollars were involved, to-day
boldly cast their votes In opposition to a
plain business proposition to save the gov
srnment the amount above given.
Representative Turner Of Georgia. in a
forcible speech. stated the situation fairly
and ably, but his words Of wisdom were
not needed by majority Of his colleagues.
His serious discussion Of the subject was
IN striking contrast with the dippant at
tempt al humor on the part of Represent
tauve Livingston.
The latter was allowed two minutes to
express ais views on the pending question.
and he wasted the time by having read at
the desk Hoods parody on the gold party.
Col. Livingston probably regrets that he
was persuaded to have the poem read in
his time, for It fell fat, and did not add
70 his reputation as a dignihed legislator.
His colleague. Judge Turner, ably and elo-
quently represented the practical people
Of Georgia when he addressed the House,
Z. few minutes later.
As soon as Judge Turner was recognized
by Speaker Crisp the noise and confusion
on the floor ceased, and the members
prepared to give the distinguished Geor-
gian earnest and respectful attention. He
only occupied ten minutes, but In that
brief period he summed up the case and
retired TO his seat amid prolonged ap-
plause on the floor and IN the galleries.
He said in substance that he could not
contend against the prejudices engendered
by the unfortunate condition Of the gov
ernment's affairs, and he could not cen
sure any man for voting his honest con-
NAILp4l1 gu Ll4E pcLAQiNE H4QpQlAlloIHs ne
contended that all Of the financial obli-
cations Of the government are made and
must be met with the dearer money in the
market, which Is gold, and that fact can
not be successfully controverted. The
negotiations for the loan have been COM
plsted and the simple question presented
Is, snail the SleO00sC00 Of interest Dc saved
70 the people of the country?
He treated his subject candidly and from
purely business standpoint. He demon
strated that congress having failed to ac-
cept any suggestion of relief for the treas
ury, the President was forced to make
the best terms possible TO maintain the ma
tlon's credit. These plain, straightfor-
ward utterances of Judge Turner fell upon
deaf ears, as the vote afterward shows.
During the debate there were many
amusing Instances. One Of the largest au-
diences of the session assembled in the gal
leries and the interest varied, according to
the ability Of the speakers to entertain
their hearers.
One of the saddest events Of the day
was the total collapse of Representative
Bryan, the "boy orator of the Platte" He
was selected, or rather he selected himself,
TO close the debate on behalf of the advo-
Gates OF free silver. He struck theatrical
pose and surveyed the crowded galleries,
while Speaker Crisp was pounding the ia
BILE for order. The free silver champion
from Nebraska saw from the sea of up
vicinity that he had the approval and en-
couragement Of majority on the demo-
cratic side of the chamber. On his right
sat Representative Slbley, who originated
the expression, now famous, brass, belly
and brains" and Lave Pence, the silver
voiced populist from Colorado, was on his
left. Mr.. Bryan at the word co. started
of in excellent form and soon had the
sympathy of the House and the spectators
with him. In an -unguarded moment he
made a play for a little self-adulation, and
offered up his life, he said, if he thought
u would prevent the passage Of the pend
ing Dill. In his attempt 10 assume the role
Of martyr he misjudged the
hold he mad upon his audience, for they
az once realized the Righteousness of the
situation and gave him jeers and laughter,
instead of the expected burst Of applause
instantly he became disconnected and the
rest OF his speech fell as nat as an Omaha
pancake. When he attempted to win back
as audience by quoting an extract from
me Merchant Of Venice and Shylock's IA
nous demand for a pound Of flesh" the
application Of the quotation was destroyed
oy Representative Walker Of Massachu-
setts, who jeerlngly inquired: who wrote
thaty' Again the House was convulsed
with laughter at the discontinue Of Mr..
bryan. and the latter was glad when his
uine expired. Had he steered clear of the
qeSlre to pose as a martyr the effect OF
ms speech might have been different In
stanuy the members and the spectators
lost interest in him, and Mr.. Bryan will
fetlre from the House March with his
reputation as forcible speaker consider
ably damaged by to-day's experience.