The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-08-12
HON. JOHN LIND,
Replies to the Criticism of III. E.,
Boon on His Acts in the House.

Replies to the Criticism of III. E.,
Boon on His Acts in the House.
The following letter from Hon. John
Lind was written in reply to a letter
from Prof. VIM. R. Dobbyn to Mr.. Lind,
making inquiries regarding the allega-
ton of ex-Congressman Boon that Mr..
Lind had voted against free coinage in
the Fifty-frst congress:
VIM. r. Dobbyn, Esq, Dear Sir-In an
swer to yours of yesterday. permit ME to
say that in my judgment, Mr.. Boon would
not have published the statement which ap-
peared In the Minneapolis Tribune Of the 9Th
inst If he had been moro familiar with the
proceedings Of the 51st congress, for l know
of no reason why he should desire to mis-
lead anyone with reference to my record on
public questions. 1 can best answer your
inquiries by giving short resume of the sill
yer legislation of the 5lst congress which re-.
suited in the passage of the Sherman act"
The feeling In the house In the 51st con-
gress, especially among the Western and
Southern members. was very strong in be-
half of more efficient silver legislation than
the Bland law, which was then in force.
There were enough of us who favored the
free coinage of silver on both sides of the
word came from the White House through
Mr.. Window. who was then secretary Of the
treasury, that a free coinage act If passed,
would be vetoed. In response, however. to
this sentiment, Mr.. Conger, chairman of the
committee on coinage. on the 2eth day of
March, 1890 reported from the coinage com
yer bullion in the treasury, and the issuance
OF treasury certificates therefor. which
might circulate as money. This bill had
and was known as the Window bill. 1 in
close copy of 1t herewith. 1t did not meet
the approval of the bimetallists in the house.
coinage bill from the minority of the COM
mittee. There were enough bimetallists to
pass the free coinage act, but 1t was per-
would have been futile and would
have resulted in no legislation of any kind
on the subject. The Republican members,
Is, of which was one, realizing that free
coinage act could only be passed to be We
toed, and anxious to procure the passage of a
measure less objectionable than the WiEdom
bill. and one that would treat silver as O.
money metal, secure an adequate increase
Of the circulating medium, and insure free
ting the Republicans of the house to meet
in caucus and agree upon bill which pro-
vided for the purchase by the treasury de-
partment of silver bullion to the amount Of
A,5OO.O00 worth each month"; and to issue
treasury notes in payment therefor:
Section six of the bill provided
of silver should reach 81 for 371,25 grains Of
pure silver, the mint should, be opened to
the free coinage of silver under the provis-
ions of the coinage act of Jan. 49, 1887. This
bill, Of which enclose copy, was known
as the Republican house bill, and was Of
fered as substitute for the Window bill.
I discussed the merits of this bill fully on
the 9Th day Of June, 1890, and my views may
be found on pages 1927 inclusive of the
Congressional Record. This BILL 1t will be
observed, provided for the purchase by the
treasury department of the entire silver
product Of the country, and that so soon as
the bullion price of silver should reach par
ity, purchases under the act should cease,
and the mints Of theUnited States would be
opened to the free coinage Of silver. This
was rational and the only possible way OF
become law, we would have no silver Ques-
ton today; free coinage would have become
an accomplished fact. 1t will be remem-
bered that under the operation Of the Sher-
man act Nrom which this free coinage sec
ton had been stricken QUIT silver bullion
went up to within 5 cents Of par If the
sixth section had been retained In the bill,
we would have had free coinage within q
month after its passage.
Mr.. Mckinley. who had not then looked ~