The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-01


into three classes: First those who were
interested in silver mining; second. heavy
debtors and third, those who believe In
the principle OF bimetallism. OF the first
class he said that they were few in number
but wonderfully potential; of the second.
that they might deserve sympathy If they
did not shock It." The third class he re-
garded honestly mistaken, and to them
he addressed his argument. He contended
that the silver-mine owners were largely
responsible for the agitation for free coin
age and after asserting that silver mining
was confined 10 the Western States. said the
mines were owned by comparatively Few
people and largely by corporations. who. by
the employment OF labor, often make large
profits on comparatively small outlay. The
keenest and best-trained inteilects, ne SAID,
were enlisted by this solid interest which
was possessed of great strength or num-
bers and riches. powerful in intelligence.
special interest, hardy and resoiute TO seek
it, That interest was in to win-to Sc
cure the best price for silver.
Senator Villas declared the people OF the
Rocky mountains 10 be subservient to the
mine holders. THE verieSt despot OF story,
the grand Khan of Tartary the great mo-
gull" he said, never had more submissive
subjects than the silver king of the Rock
les; nor was ever tyrant more pitilessly ex-
acting No independence of thought or
speech is tolerated there; no party. no creed,
no business can thrive which dares TO doubt
in the realm of that monarch, the law OF
finance II is in silver" The business man
the politician who dares to fiout his indie
peldence, woe betide him. Where" he ex-
claimed, lis that sturdy Senator. the brave,
unbending Carey? Where Is Dolph, the
strong. able and interchangeable? Look on the
bloody Moloch of silver to learn their fate:
The Senator traced the past legislation in
the interest of silver TO the theory or pro-
lection. which he characterized as vicious
and wicked. The Senator then proceeded to
review, not only OF silver legislation, but
OF silver production and silver coinage in
the United States. showing that the produc-
tion was small before the civil war. "Bi-
metallism is.' he said. "a high sounding;
splendid word. If only bimetallism. alas!
What is ii and where Is it? Like dreams
that wane before the half shut eye or gay
castles in the clouds that pass forever fit
ting IN the summer sky. always dancing be-
fore the vision, always something TO be
gained but never realized. the glittering
fat I pursuit 't on which the public has SO
long been conducted, not always to disap-
pear. save in the pleasing speech OF silver
advocates. while the realities of gain could
be matched by the other and mastering pur-
pose"
Senator Villas declared that from the be-
ginning practical bimetallism had never
been proposed to Congress. He declared that
Senators Teller and Wolcott. as champions
of silver, had based their contentious on
claims Of the debtor class, saying that at
best they asked ito have something taken by
law from one class for another class. he
claimed that free coinage law would be
especially hard upon pensioners-an un-
speakable and unparalleled outrage. In
deed, such piece Of legislation would be
10 sum up, a genuine shame.
Mr.. Vilas's peroration was vivid word
picture of Democracy, menaced on the one
hand by federalism, rejuvenated in the Re-
that ''portentous cloud of party never
known in the days of Democratic justice,
charged with Wild fantastic theories of
W m
edy, threatening. should 1t grow apace, no
one can foretell what violence or social
o6 After essirng tine nd sSres OF
Senator concluded: This party will con-
tinue on its great career. yielding neither on
one side or the other to the reactionary
forces Of old absolutism or the lurid fires
of anarchy"
TILLMAN TACKLES Villas
AS Mr.. Villas proceeded there were occa-
sional sharp exchanges between him and
other Senators. Mr.. Mitchell interjected a
question as to the bond transactions of
last year. Mr.. Villas justified the course
then under the exigencies of the time, while
Mr.. Mitchell denominated the course
of the bond purchasers in buying
on the theory of silver payments
and yet demanding and expecting
gold payments as a 'bunco game" The
talk of the bond issue last year brought
Mr.. Tillman TO his feet. Mr.. Villas had
readily yielded to several Senator's but in
response to Mr.. Tillmans request to put a
question the Wisconsin Senator abruptly
declined to yield further, saying it inter-
rupted the course of his argument. There
was momentary awkward pause, with Mr..
Tillman still on his feet, and then Mr..
Villas yielded to the question
What was the price Of bonds on the
market on the day of that bond sale?'
asked Mr.. Tillman.
II decline to chase down that will-o the
wisp," responded Mr.. Villas. II have al
ready answered that, and L refer the Sena-
Would it not be well to have the facts
right hereg' pursued Mr.; Tillman;
mo- answered Mr.. Villas. Having an
swered that question, do not care to be
diverted from my present argument by pur-
suing those incidental inquiries"
Then you decline to answer" added Mr..
Tillman, as he sat down and Mr.. Villas pro-
ceeded.
Mr. Villas closed shortly before O'Clock,
and the skirmishing at once began on fix
ing a time for voting on the bill. Mr.. Har-
ris, who has been closely associated with
Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas In the direction of
the measure. with characteristic earnest
ness of manner, urged that an exact time
be fixed for taking the vote. Mr.. Jones, in
the meantime. had entered the chamber
and hurried to place beside Mr.. Harris.
Let the agreement include a vote at 2
o'clock tomorrow" suggested Mr.. Jones
eyes" said Mr.. Harris. The proposition
contemplates vote at o'clock"
There was a momentary pause without
objection being made. and the Vice Presi-
dent. who was in the chair, put the ques-
ton: lis there no obiection?"
Mr.. Hill had risen. There is no ques-
tion," said he, "as to the precise meaning
and effect of this pronostion." Mr. Hill
did not seek to combat Mr.. Harris's state
ment. but adopted his most deferential
manner in urging that the Senator CHarrisl
extend the understanding that Ii would
permit not only motion to postpone or TO
Law on the table. but also to take up an
other BILL
Mr.. Harris seemed disposed TO yield.
My only DESIRE said he, rs to reach a
vote at 2 o'clock tomorrow without refer
ence to incidental stops, and 1 shall have
no objection to the proposition of the Sem
ator from New York OiilD so long as we
are enabled TO reach a vote at that hour"
Mr.. Hill added that such motions as
might be offered would be made before 2
o'clock.
'.Not only that" said Mr.. Harris. but
the taking Of the yeas and nays on them
will be for o'clock
This brought about an understanding for
the first time, and the presiding officer,
without waiting to invite further difference,
announced that unanimous consent was
given to the agreement.
THE AGREEMENT.
The main feature of the agreement was
that the vote should be taken at 2 p. m.
Saturday, with Mr.. Hill reserving the right
Of motions to indefinitely postpone. lay on
the table or take up another bill before
that hour Incidental to this were the
propositions for a recess from until z
o'clock to-day, another recess until II a. m.
tomorrow. then the five-minute rule of de-
bate, except in the case of Mr.. Morrill,, and
a vote at 2 o'clock.