The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-02
WHITE METALISTs Win
The Long Struggle Over the Free Coinage
OF Silver Is at Last Terminated.
THE HOUSE BILL S TITLE WAS CHANGED
AND tt Was PrRni' caIIy Trnnsforme cd
Into n Silver BilI-Provitics for the
free coinage Of Siivcr-Aiso for
coming of SciEniornEc-Fo Forbtds
Bank Notes Less Than Fen Dollars.

huSHiilBtOu, -. C.. F6D. 1.-SenQte.~
fhe long struggle In the Senate over
the question Of the free coinage OF silver
terminated at 3 y. III. to-day i'll q vic
tory OF the friends of silver. The great
hight was over the Finance Committees
substitute to the House bond bill AT
: . CLOCK the discussion was closed in
accordance with the unanimous con-
sent arrived at Friday. and the result
OF that agreement was to exclude from
consideration the numerous amend
ments of which notice has been given
from time to time since the reporting OF
the Dill. Much disappointment and bad
FEELING arose from this exclusion, which
seemed TO take by surprise the Senators
who offered or favored those amend
ments. Prior to that point of time, how
ever, Mr.. Morrill, had offered an amend
ment reservng to the Government the
seignioragc on the silver coin, and the
Senate had rejected it by Il vote of SO
ayes to 81 noes.
Mr.. German had also in a short ear
nest speech moved to lay the substitute
on the table. and that motion was de-
feated-yeas. 81: nays, i3 Then the
concluding votes were taken. the free
silver substitute being adopted by vote
of AZ TO "a. and the bill, thus amended.
passed by vote of ~ to 80. Its title
was changed So as to make II read: TO
restore the coinage OF Tree SILVER dol
lars and for other purposes.
All the sections of the House bill are
struck out. and instead Of them the bill
provides that the mints of the United
State shall be open TO the coinage OF
silver and that dollars of 4l2Ia grains
troy. of standard silver shall he coined
upon the same terms and subject TO the
same limitations as regulate the coinage
and legal tender quality of gold. 1t also
directs the coinage of that portion of
the silver bullion in the Treasury that
represents the seigniowge. such silver
dollars to be used in the payment of
current expenses of the Government. Il
forbidS the issue of national bank notes
of denominations less than $40, and it
directs the redemption OF greenbacks
and of the Treasury notes issued under
the act of July II. 1890, in standard sill
yer dollars or in gold coin, at the op-
tiom of the Treasury Department and
their reissue, as under existing law
The bill now goes to the House for
concurrence in the substitute and the
next move after the House refuses to
concur will be the appointment of n
conference committee.
The debate was begun by Mr.. Morrill,,
who spoke forty minutes in opposition.
Debate then proceeded under the
five minute rule.
MIR. Allen, Of Nebraska, offered an
amendment depriving the Secretary OF
the Treasury Cf the right to issue bonds
without authority of Congress
Mr.. White, of California, thought it
unwise to load the measure with Greek
amendments. Gifts of that character
might result in The defeat of the sub
stitutc.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas. said he would
vote for the committee substitute i'm
order TO defeat the House bill. The
House bill if passed. might become
law: but he was perfectly satisfied
that If the substitute was carried 1t
would not become q law
In the course of a colloquy Mr.. Lind
say. of Kentucky. declared that the
President had gone as far as he could
be required to so In maintaining the
credit of the Government; and he hoped
he would not take another step in the
way OF selling bonds but put the re-
sponsibility where ii properly belonged
upon Congress; and if calamity should
come. let ii rest where it ought to rest.
Mr. Allen's amendment was rejected
yeas. 81: nays, 81
Mr.. Morrill,. of Vermont. offered nm
amendment providing that the seienior
age OF all coinage of silver under the
act shall be retained by the United
states equal in amount to the difference
between the coming value and the
commercial value of the silver bullion
when presented at the mint. He said he
thought the proposition so fair that
there would be no objection to it by any
one.
Mr.. PETER opposed the amendment as
giving away the whole principle for
which the friends of silver we're CON
tending.
Just as the hands on the clock dial
were almost pointing tov the hour Of
when all debate was to cease-Mr.
German rose. and In earnest and i'm
pressivc tones. said:
Mr.. President. Congress has beer
called upon to give Immediate relief to
the Treasury. II Is SO urgent that we
were requested TO remain here during
the holidays to see If IL were not possi-
Bile to perfect some measure to relieve
the pressure on the Treasury In an
swer to the request, we have before us
this House bin as one OF a series of
measures-a bill to authorize the issue
of three per cent. bonds and short time
certificates. The Senate Finance Com
mittee being hostile, politically to tho
administration. has responded by a pro-
position for the unlimited coinage or
silver.
"Mr. President. 1t was as well known
the day when that substitute was re-
ported' as now that the conditions are
what they We're in $780, and 1t is impos-
siblc TO have this provision become y
law at this time or any time prior to
March. 1897"
Mr.. MorCan-"Why?"