The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-13
Senators on Silver.
Palmer Discusses the Ques-
ton of Values.


directing the commissioner of agricu-
ture to report to the senate Immediately
the reason for the delay in distributing
seeds, was offered by Mr.. Gallioger
and agreed to. The resolution for an
irqury as to bond sales in 1891, 1895
and 1896 was taken Up. and Mr. Pal
Der. Dem. of Illinois, addressed the
senate H. fels that the aaimus Of the
resolutions was to effect the public mind
with reference to the silver question.
He did rot suppose that any senator
Except perhaps the senator from South
Dakota. Mr.. Pettigrew) questioned the
integrity Of the secretary os the treas
ury. The secretary's judgment per-
haps might possibly be disputed. and
correctness of bis acts might be quas-
toned. He (Mr Palmer) had opposed
the resolution because be believed that
its purpose was to procure material to
affect unfavorabiy the public mind on
the silver question.
Much of Mr.. Paimer's argument Was
addressed to the question how much the
commercial value of the silver dollar
would be affected under free and un-
limited coinage. The answer given by
Mr.. Cockrell was that the commercial
value of the gold dollar and Of the sill
YER dollar would be equal-that the sill
yer dollar would appreciate some and
the gold dollar depreciate soa,e.
Then" sand Mr. Palmer. .the
point where they uuite would be the
standard Of value. instead Of gold, the
present standard of valoe :"
He read an editorial from Pbiladel-
paia paper discussing Mr. McKirley's
position 90 the silver question.
"McKirley," hs added. sis to be the
Republican candidate for the presidency.
I understand that the opposition to MIN
has practically failed. | cnIy protest
that there should be in this contest dis
sipct. clear. precise platforms adopted
by political parties ; and have sought
this morning to endeavor to clear away
something of the confusion which at
tends this discussion. We have this
hope, this vain, this illusory hope, that
we can bring up a 6S-cens ounce, Of
silver to $1.29-onpce-which covers
the comparative difference between the
values of the two meals y
"Desiring to have certainty in the
measure of value - Mr. Carter of
Montana broke in, Il ask the senator
from Illinois to state whether or not be
agrees With the British royal commits
sion that the purchasing power of gold
has constantly appreciated since
1873 ?"
"No, do not agree with it." Mr..
Palmer replied.
Does the senator from Illinois, :"
Mr.. Carter asked, "agree with the
further proposition that prices Of the
products of human toll and the soil
itself as measured in gold, have
deprecated 10 value sioce 1878 p
Yes, | agree to that said Mr..
Palmer.
MIR Carter was proceeding to put
further, questions, but Mr.. Palmer de-
clined to be catechized uutil his own
question was asked.
Il believe | will ask the senator from
Illinois question" Mr.. Harris broke
ia IF the senator was the owner Of
silver bullion and had the right to have
it coined at 4l2 q grains to toe dol
lara full legal tender dollar-would
he sell that silver at less than S129 to
to the ounce %
Il have got every sort Of answer, J"
Mr. Palmer replied. "from my friends
who are in favor of free currency,
except direct answer.
"My answer is," Mr.. Harris ex-
claimed. that free coinage would bring
silver up to par
Mr.. Vest asked Mr.. Palmer what be
meant by an allusion in his speech to
''snap conventions" and was in-
formed that it referred to conventions
last year 10 Missouri and Illinois.
Mr.. Vest reverted to the question Of
snap conventions, and after an allusion
to the recent extension OF the civil ser.
vice reform, to the dismissal Of district
attorney Benton 10 Missouri in 1888
for speaking at a Democratic conven-
tion, and to the fact that members of
the present Democratic administration
had been allowed to make speeches in
their own and other States in opposition
to free silver, be wound mp his speech
with the words
81 serve notice nov, that, if this
convention at Chicago is to be made up
of Federal Office holders, brought there
to overawe and override the wish of the
honest majority of fthe Democratic party
throughout the United States, it is no
Democratic cocvention With me I will
abide the will Of the majority of the
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