The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-08
TO Be INVESTIGATED
The Senate Finance Committee to Look
Into the Bond Sales.
ANOTHER DAY OF DEBATING
Hill and Vest Hold the Attention
OF the Audience for the Greater
Fart of the oession-About
Snap" Conventions.

i
gurated an investigation to be con-
quoted by the senate committee on
nnance into the facts and circum-
stances connected with the sale of
United States bonds by the secretary
OF the treasury during the last three
years. Inc SIX adverse votes were cast
Dy senators Caffery, Faulkner, Gray,
Hill, Mitchell of Wisconsin, and Palm
| er, all democrats
The bond investigation came I'D imme-
mediately after the morning business and
Palmer took the floor. 'I oppose this res
| oiution," said he, because l regard 1t as
an illegitimate means of procuring ma
terial to affect and inname the public
mino The senator went on say that he
dld not suppose any senator except, possi-
bly,, the senator from South Dakota pet
ugrew), questioned the integrity of the
secretary of the treasury. The secretary's
judgment might have dispelled the cor
rectness OF his action, but there was no
question OF integrity involved. Palmer re-
viewed the platform utterances of the
party, citing the old adage, ''the world
do move" Palmer said the country had
moved since the platform declaration in
1872, and II was evident the financial
planks made at Minneapolis and Chicago
would not satisfy people in coming cleo
uons. In mentioning Cleveland's return
TO the white house in 1898, Palmer said
the president had called to his aid that
able statesman, that pure and honest
man, j. g. Carlisle"
he then referred to the cowardice of
the candidates for the presidency and for
congress in not being specific in their
financial views, and in this connection
the senator had an article read from the
desk arraigning Governor Mckinley for
his two-faced attitude on finance. "and
yet, added Palmer "ail indications
point TO the fact that the subject of that
criticism will be the republican candi-
date for president"
A senator across the aisle whispered to
Palmer the substance of bulletins from
the indianapolis convention. whereupon
Palmer added: I'm fact. 1 understand
that the opposition to him has broken
down"
Palmer was speedily drawn into a COL
loquy with two Missouri senator's Vest
ana cockrell. The former wanted to know
Wnal ,, Falmer meant by snap conven-
lions favoring silver.
Cockrell answered that the Missouri
convention was one of the most renre
sentative gatherings ever held, 1t was
called because democracy was being
misrepresented. and attempts were
made 10 commit ii to gold and Vest
declared the Missouri convention was
response to the people Manhood and
decency said Vest, will no longer ner-
NIT us to stand here and be abused he
cause we are accused of advocating
unsound money" and of assembling
snap conventions. At this point Vest
branched off into a sensational recital
OF personal history. He spoke OF the
order just made public by which this
administration extended civil service
reform. Vest went on to tell of the
presidents removal of United States
District Attorney Benton of Missouri
When vest first read this announce
ment he Immediately started for WASH
lngton and asked his excellency'' what
had led him to the perpetration of this
outrage, the removal of a man of un-
ilmpeachable character and ability.
The senator brought out a newspaper
clipping charging Colonel Benton with
pernicious activity. Vest had shown
the charges to be unfounded and the
president was just enough to revoke the
order after giving the public a letter
openly lecturing Colonel Benton
against any participation in politics
while serving the government.
Cockrell interrupted at this point TO
ask as to the recen. Michigan demo-
cratic convention at Detroit and the
declaration that federal officials had
gone there as delegates instructed for
silver and had voted against silver.
Vest, proceeding. said he referred to
the presidents letter to Colonel Ben.
tion warning him against "dabbling" in
politics, because this administration
had of late given it's whole influence
and power to influence the political
sentiment of the people to encourage
these so-called snap conventions.
Vest referred to the Nebraska con-
vention where he said, office holders.
postmasters. collectors of internal rev.
enue. their lungs filled with the air
which came from the treasury" were
in control. The senator spoke of cab
met officers speaking about the coun- |
try and added that he had not heard a
whisper of criticism from his excel |
dency." Vest next turned his atten- |
tion to the recent Michigan democratic |
state convention. reading from an ar
ticle written by one of the delegates
who had participated in that shame
full scene" The article detailed the ac-
tion of 'backsliders" and traitors"
who had been instructed for silver and
voted against IL. The senator said he
had many letters from men of high
standing, detailing the circumstances
of the Michigan convention as "a
shame and disgrace to American public !
life"
After further denunciation of the in
fiuences brought TO bear upon conven-
tions, Vest closed with a startling de-
claration as to his own position II am
a delegate to the national convention"
said he, 'an unwilling delegate, chosen
by my people, and l serve notice now
that IL that convention at Chicago Is to
be made up of office-noIders TO stifie
and prevent the expression of the will
of the people. then IL is no democratic
to me. The democratic par
ty is the party of honorable expression:
not of federal patronage"
Hill took the floor to close his speech
in opposition to the bond resolution.
Hill referred. smilinglS, 10 the recent
speech as a prelude" to the general
convention. "As to snap
however" proceeded Hin.
Il appeal to the senator's TO let me
speak as an expert" Gaughter) The
Illinois and Missouri conventions had
not been snap conventions. They had