The herald., 1896-01-31
THE F|FTY-FOORTH CONGRESS
Senator Mitchell Speaks in
Support OF Silver
PERKINS PLEDGES A VOTE
Though He Regards Free Coinage Not
Entirely Expedient
Stewart Grows Sarcastic and Insists the Sill
PERKINS PLEDGES A VOTE
Stewart Grows Sarcastic and Insists the Sill
yer Bill VIII Never Pass-Pro-
ceedings in the House
Associated Press Special Wire.

day.
Mr.. Hale, Republican of Maine, re-
ported back the urgent deficiency apppro-
priation bill and gave notice that he would
ask to take it up tomorrow.
A bill was passed providing for the APP
pointment by the secretary of warof a
chaplain for the United States military
academy.
A committee amendment was agreed to,
making the president the appointing
power
NJ Morrill,, Republican of Vermont,
cal mp the bill for the payment to the
VIM, of the late Samuel Miller, justice
OF l- supreme court. of sum equal to
the balance of his salary for the year in
which he died. Mr.. Morrill, explained that
the justice had left only a house, encum-
bered by a $4,000 mortgage, and that
the widows circumstances were such as to
make the appropriation desirable. The
bill was passed.
The resolution directing the secretary of
agriculture TO execute the law relative to
seed distribution was then taken up. and
Mr.. George democrat of Mlssssippi)
spoke in defense of the course OF the secre-
tary.
Mr.. Gallinger Republican of New Hamp-
shire) and Mr.. Allen (Populist of Ne
braska) supported the resolu ion. The
resolution gave way at o'clock 10 the sill
yer bond bill aud Mr.. Gail democrat of
t,ur'da) continued his speech begun yes
l.rlay.
Mr.. Mitchell (Republican of Oregon) fol-
lowed in support of Ihe silver substitute.
MIR. Mitchell said that the question pre-
sen'ed was whether t was necessary TO in
crease The bonded indebtedness to MAIN
II H..
OF silver, restore 1t to its primary place as
money oe the constitution.
t'i. Mitchell pointed out that our foreign
in ,dDess during the past twenty-five
y. lad greatly increased notwith stand-
IN. - fact that during the time there was
d 10 ance of trade in our favor in mer-
cha Use of 81 ,263 $500, 900, besides silver
exports of $36S 81 ,625 ard gold exports
OF $27l. l.]90,721.
here are in my judgment two reme-
dies to be applied. First, our shipping laws
must be amende /; our merchant marine
must be encouraged and built up. and we
must become our own carriers: and, sec
ond.we must legislate TO increase the value
of our export commodities so as to enable
US to meet, reduce. and it possible, wipe
out the debt which today makes the peo-
pie of this country virtually slaves to the
money lenders of Great Britain. We must
reduce our expenses, and instead of issu-
ing new bonds. stop incurring obligations
abroad and increase, il possible. the value
of our commodities, including silver, with
which to meet the Indebtedness.
Mr.. Mitchell discussed al some length
the competition OF China and Japan with
the United States.
1T is incredible.'' said the senator, "that
the people cannot be made to realize the
great transparent fact, SO absolutely ap-
parent that the effect of the operation of
the single gold standard is to bring our la
horers, our manufacturers, our artzans
and our farmers as we'll, into direct and
ruinous competition with The l,borers.
manufacturers, artizans and farmers of
every silver standard, silver using country
in the world.
ave have as q nation proclaimed loudly
and properly and iegislated vigorously and
wisely against Chinese immigration, but
we are threatened today-and especially i5
this so with reference to The Pacific coast
states and territories with an industrial
foe, mighty. desolating army, in compar-
ison with which Chinese immigration is an
evil Liliputian in character: and this state
OF things is only made possible by the de-
sruction of bimetalism in this country
and by the practical operation of the sin
gle gold standard, but is actually gener-
ated, warmed into life, promoted, eucour-
aged and sustained by the monometallic
gold policy"
He said this was so because the purchas-
tries has not deprecated. 1t is as great
today as ever before. The purchasing
power OF silver bullion, even in this cum
try. Is as great now as at any time in the
past. Their standard of value is silver.
"What is the result? They, the Chinese
and Japanese, the people of South and
Central America, can afford to sell the
products of their farms or of their factories
to the people of a gold standard. gold using
country for just one-half the price in gold
they would have been compelled to sell for
it bimetallism had been maintained and
the destruction of the parity of value be-
sween the two moneys had not been
brought about by silver demonetization.'
Mr.. Mitchell described the great indus
trial development OF Japan. As to the
bond bin, as it came from the house, he
said: Il decline to give authority to the
secretary of the treasury to issue addi-
tional bonds in time of peace. First, be-
cause deny the necessity for any such adj
ditonal issue; secondly, because am I'M
alteraby opposed to further increase of
our Understanding public debt; thirdly,
because in encouraging additional bond
issues at any rate of interest / believe we
are. instead of sustaining the national
credit. hut Fastening the rapid approach
10 national bankruptcy: and, fourthly. be-
cause am Republican,, and every Re-
publican convention in every state of the
Unlull which convened in the las year has
ColiifIll!ietl Ill eIJi)iliIS terms tllS present
administration for issuing bonds and thus
increasing the nationa indebtedness.
Il am unwilling, under any plea of ne
cesslty. to aid the party to which | belong
in doing that which as party it has en-
phatically condemned in Others
Mr.. Mitchell said he was in favor of BIZ
7netallsm. but he did not believe il could
be brought about by an international
agreement. He said he did not believe
that those who were talking of an itlterna-
tional agreement expected that such "a re-
suit was possible. He was in favor of in
dependent bimetallism, and there was no
prospect of an International agreement.
He did not believe that England, as long as
she could control Germany and other
countries, would consent to an interna-
tional agreement for bimetallism.
Mr.. Perkins, Republican of California,
spoke briefly in support of the silver
amendment. He and other senator's IA
voring the measure had been accused in
the metropolitan press of misrepresenting
their constituents, for, it was asserted
California was in favor of the gold stand
ard. Mr.. Perkins controverted this asser-
ton. The last Republican platform of
California had n plank declaring for the
free and unlimited coinage of silver; reso-
lutions were passed by the California leg
islature instruc,ing the senators from that
state to support the free and unlimited
coinage of silver. The people of Califor-
mia had made up their minds on this SUBJ
iect, and knowing this universal feeling in
his state. the senator said he would cast
his vote for the silver amendment. thus
executing the instructions given him, even
though hia narsOYa1 viaws iucli,,ol ~ "a