Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-02-21
IS CRUSHED TO DEATH
Free Coinage Substitute for Bond
Bill Overwhelmed.
AFTER A GALLANT FIGHT
The House, After the Decisive Vote of
215 to 90, Declare for Nom
concurrence.

Washington. Feb. 1.-THE public and
private galleries of the house were
thronged today in anticipation of the
debate on the senate free coinage sub
stitute for the bond bill.
Mr.. Dingley. chairman of the ways
and means committee, insisted on the
regular order as soon as the journal had
been read. under the arrangements
made yesterday. One hour was allowed
each side for closing.
Mr.. Crisp. representing free silver,
said this was an economic question, and
no matter what views the members
might have entertained in the past, he
assumed that in casting a vote today
each member would do so conscienti-
ously, in accordance with the dictations
of his convictions. Mr.. Crisp opened his
argument proper with the familiar
words, I'm 1873 congress demonetized
silver. Prices were fixed by the amount
of primary money in the world. If
the standard in England was gold,
France silver and China silver, the
measure of values would be combined
against both gold and silver circulat-
ing as money"
He read from the statement Senator
Sherman made in 1876, that the demon
etization of silver had caused the re-
duction of its price and created a mad
scramble for gold on the part of Eng
land, France and Germany, which APP
preciated its price and induced fall of
prices throughout the world. That fall
of prices, Mr.. Crisp asserted. was large
ly due to the decentralization of silver.
He read from Balfour's speech on the
9th inst. in the English parliament, at
tributing the decline of agriculture in
gold countries to the appreciation of
gold and the artificial advantage it
gave silver countries. Balfour also de-
clared the obstacles to reform came not
from abroad, but were put forward at
home. Mr.. Crisp affirmed the existence
of well defined purpose by those in
authority at home and abroad to de-
press the price of silver in order to pre-
vent its reconciliation. He cited the
manner in which the Bland-Allison act
of 1873 was executed, the coinage of the
minimum amount under TIE act and re-
fusal of the treasury after a few months
to coin silver under the act of $780, He
cited Secretary Carlisle's refusal to give
silver for gold in 1898, because silver
was needed for the redemption of
treasury notes, and his course few
months afterward of redeemng those
notes in gold. What kind of Juggling
Is that?' he asked. What sort of
friendly treatment is that?" (Applause)
He then directed his attention to the
manner in which the parity between
metals had been maintained. Every OBJ
legation, government bonds, greenbacks
and treasury notes was payable in coin.
If that was not true, and they were gold
obligations, why did not those who be-
lieved 1t have the courage to say so,
and save a tax-ridden people millions
of dollars? In February, 1895, congress
could have saved the people SIG, 900, 900
interest by authorizing gold bonds.
Congress refused" said Mr.. Crisp.
I'VE paid sixteen millions for the privil-
eye of paying in silver, and now you
attempt to deny our right to do So"
(Applause).
Mr.. Speaker" said Mr.. Crisp, con-
tinuing, "a few days ago our condition
was pitiable. The greatest nation in
intelligence and trade, we had just ap-
plauded to the echo the presidents mes
sage, warning European powers that
they would not be permitted to secure
Judgment on the American continent.
The echo of that applause had hardly
ceased before the administration with
shaking knees was Historically calling
on congress for help. 1t was feared that
Great Britain would take out our gold.
We were helpless in the face of the en-
emy Yet you want that condition
perpetuated."
Criticising the bond bill. he declared
its purpose was to impound greenbacks
and to do indirectly what the majority
dare not do directly. 1t was plan to
retire all greenbacks by holding them
in the treasury at the cost of outstand-
ing interest bearing bonds, a plan which
Carlisle had characterized as the
most remarkable experiment suggest
ed in modern times
Coming down to the practical uues-
tions whether the United States indie
pendently could maintain with free
coinage the parity between gold and
silver. he said that there was no differ
ence of opinion that 1t could be ac-
compllshed by an international agree
ment.
Ee quoted from Jackson and Jeffer-
son, and contemptuously said it had re-
manned for modern economists to assert
that to create demand and value by
law was "a physical and a metaphysical
absurdity."
He also quoted Sherman and Carlisle
(while he was in the house,, to the eff
feet that united action of several coun-
tries could sustain silver. AS to the
ability of the United States to do so
alone, the example of France. a coun-
try infinitely inferior in wealth and
trade to us. must be borne in mind
Our commerce, internal and external.
exceeded that of England, Germany
and France combined. If our mines
were opened to the free coinage of sill
yer, the commercial value of the metal
would be equal to its legal value in
this country, because anyone having
412k grains could bring it here and get
a standard silver dollars worth of com
modities.
He went extensively into figures to
show that there had been no over-pro-
duction of silver.
In conclusion. Mr.. Crisp declared that
IL the United States would but assert
it's political and financial independence.
prosperity would return and conceded
the perpetual heritage of our people.
Mr. Crisp spoke an hour and a half.
and was applauded when he sat down.
Mr. Turner of Georgia was then recog-
nized for an hour He said he did not
pretend to be actuated by greater cour-
age than others nor did he assume