Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-14
FIFTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA.
SENATE.
The Senate was not in session to-day.
HOIJSE.

The Senate was not in session to-day.
HOUSE.
commencement day" of the debate
on the silver bill in the House attracted
no more spectators in the gallery tnan
any day of the past two weeks during
which it has been the pending business.
There was, however, larger number
of representatives in their seats than
usual. Those who had been OFT to
Lincoln Day banquets in various cities
had returned and were on hand to vote,
and many who had not hitherto felt 1t
necessary or desirable to listen to the
discussion as it progressed, came in to
have their votes recorded on the ques-
ton. Withal, there was lack of in
terest manifested in the House, the re-
suit of the vote being foregone con-
clusion.
As soon as the journal had been read,
the last stage of the debate upon the IL
nancial question, as involved in the
Senate free coinage substitute for the
House bond revenue bill, was entered
on. Mr.. Crisp the democratic leader,
began the closing speech in favor OF the
free coinage of silver. By unanimous
consent be was given as much time as
he desired in which to complete his re-
marks. In 1873, he asserted, the
United States demonetized the silver.
The law of 1892, establishing the mint,
contained the basis of the bi-metallism
for which the democratic party had al.
ways stood, and which it now insisted
should be restored, that bi-metallism
which provided for the equal coinage
of coins of two metals, both of which are
of the same debt-paying and purchas-
ing power. The standard of value COM
prised both metals. AS long as any
commercial nation opened its minis to
silver, the standard of value was based
upon both gold and silver. That was
the condition up to 1873, when the
United States demonetized silver. Dis
cussing the effects of the law of 1873,
Mr.. Crisp said it was sticking in the
bark" for any gentleman to say that
law could not affect values. Mr.. Crisp
asserted that the results of the demone-
tization of silver in 1873 had been most
disastrous. He quoted from speech
made by Senator Sherman in 1876, in
which he (Sherman) averred that the
partial destruction of silver as money
metal twas felt by every man, woman
and child who had any thing to sell. u
He (Sherman) referred in that speech
to the "appreciating' purchasing power
of gold, an assertion which was vigor-
ously denied in the House. Another
result, Mr.. Crisp said, was seen
in the constantly falling scale of
prices which had existed since 1878.
The unfortunate condition of manufac.
turers and agriculturists was not con.
fined to the United States, but was to be
found in the gold standard countries
everywhere. Referring to Secretary
Carlisle's refusal to change silver for
gold because he must retain the silver
to support the Treasury notes issued
under the act of 1890, and yet when
one of those notes is presented he re.
deems it in gold. Mr.. Crisp exclaimed,
What kind of Juggling is that with
the American people? What kind Of
friendship for silver is that ?" zap,
plause.)
Mr.. Crisp was followed by Mr.. Turn
err of Georgia.
By vote of PIG to 96 the House this
evening at 5 o'clock refused to agree to
the Senate silver substitute for the tariff
hill