The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-23

W NC oOluC Uc4OIc tuc QueS-
ton is mooted as to what is to be DONE"
After further discussion Dubois CD oil
Idaho said he saw no reason why, with q
free coinage of silver provision, Senators
should not pass judicious tariff bill and
adjourn and go home.
II think that going home,'" Hill re-
marked, sarcastically, will meet the en-
tire approval of the American people,"
Laughter.l
Then Hill went on with his argument
against the bill. He spoke facetiously of
Sherman nibbling at the bait thrown out
by Gray, and of his then withdrawing
when called" Laughter.
Hill declared with emphasis that there
would be no tariff bill this session; that If
an extra session were called there would
be no tariff bill passed in it, and that at
the two sessions of the next Congress there
would be no tariff bill passed.
And yet" said he, ''you propose to
take the Government by the throat and to
repeal the only safeguard for the protec-
ton of your honor and credit. That is the
situation"
with that acknowledged inability to
pass revenue bill anfi to increase rev.
enue," George asked, 'does the Senator
from New York propose that we remain
In the condition of relying on the act of
1870 for the means of revenue? He would
not let the paper currency of the Govern
ment go to protest. He would take the
last dollar in the treasury and main
tain the honor and credit of the Govern
ment. And he misirdged the character
and vigor and force of the President if he
do To hall oil Nd
al all risks and at all times the President
would insist that the paper currency of
the country should be redeemed in coin.
He denounced the bill as the height of
folly.
1T is" he exclaimed, 1880 and 1861
over again. 1t will just as surely divide
the Democratic party. 1t would be the
worst step ever taken by the Democratic
party. The Democratic party can stand a
great DEAL but it could not stand that.
We must see to 1t that the notes of the
Government must be honored; must be
met in the coin of the Government; must
be met in hard money and redeemed.
That is the Democratic theory. That is the
true theory of the Government. That is
the honest policy of procuring revenue to
meet the expenditures of the Govern
ment."
The situation is indeed grave one"
Hill replied. "If we are running behind
at the rate of $50, 10000 and if we cannot
agree on a tariff measure it is the height of
wisdom to leave on the statute book this
authority to the President to redeem the
greenbacks which may be presented
PETER (Pop.) of Kansas asked whether
HILL tarafapHad m ha wiz of
the administration in this matter.
Hill replied that he supposed that even
the Senator from Kansas comprehended
his (HilPs) position. He bad repeatedly
stated that he did not assume to represent
the present administration. If he was
President of the United States Gas he sup
posed from the present outlook he never
would be)-[laughterl- he would air his
power and declare that he would stop all
expenditures appropriated for public works
unless sufficient money was provided. 1t
is the only policy that we can pursue"
Baker (R.l of Kansas argued against the
bill. Its passage, he said, would be the
greatest crime OF the nineteenth century.
1t attacked the financial honesty and in
tegrity of the Government; it fore
Swallowed panic, disturbance and repudia-
ton.
Hill objected to following these men,
the Popuhsts-''crazy as they are on this
subject of finance" He declared he washed
his hands of the whole of it. IL was I'M
wise, he thought, for Democrats to support
IL, in view of the delicate situation OF the
party on the finance question. Democrats
had difficulties enough to contend with,
without adding to them.
Let it be understood" he added, that
the party to which we belong is attempt
ing to cripple the finances of the country
by not maintaining sufficient fund to re-
deem the paper currency, and there is an
end to our prospects of success; and we
might as we'll count the days within which
we shall retire permanently from power.
All my am billions and hopes are involved
in the success OF the Democratic party. 1t
is said that l represent the financial center
of the country. But remind my Demo-
cratic friends that this is the great city of
New York, which has only once in its his
tory given Republican majority, and
that was on a local issue. 1t has,
by its immense majority, saved the party
on many occasions. Thousands and
thousands of business men and bankers
have maintained fidelity to the Demo-
cratic cause. We cannot maintain our
party in the North on any such theory as
this bill. Provide ample funds at all
times with which to redeem your paper
currency and we will solve the gold and
silver question satisfactorily and maintain
the grand old party, which. in all it's his
tory of the country, has done SO much for
its glory and honor"
Hawley (R.) of Connecticut denounced
the bill Indignantly. Its passage would be
the foulest-the only foul spot in the rec
ord of the Senate, 1t was horrible. 1t
was altogether impossible. 1t was repu.
diation. 1t was bankruptcy. 1t was an
archist infamy.
Sherman said he was sorry that the bill
had been introduced-not that it could do
any harm, because it would fall dead and
not be acted upon either by the House of
Representatives or the President. The
agitation, however, would create alarm
among the most timid people in the
world-hankers and business men. 1t
l. L.