The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-23
A NOTABLE DEBATE
Spirited Financial Controversy
IN the Senate.
MR.. SHERMAN SPEAKS
Said the Silver Question Was
an Old Worn Out Issue.
SHERMAN SPEAKS
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION
Senator Wolcott Spoke for an Hour,
Severely Criticising President
CleveIand's Foreign
Policy.


Washington, Jan. 22-The Senate
session to-day was marked by notable
speeches and notable debates. Late in
the afternoon a controversy occurred
between Mr.. Sherman, Mr.. German,
Mr.. Teller and others, which led to the
most spirited financial debate that
has occurred since the present Con-
gress convened. Mr.. Sherman spoke
ut length and with great earnestness,
deprecating the thrusting of an ''old
worn-out issue"-the silver question
into the Senate at time when practi-
cal legislation was imperative. Mr..
Teller and Mr.. German answered Mr..
Sherman from their respective stand
points. while Mr.. Aldrich, Mr.. Lind
say, Mr.. Gray and others took part in
the exciting debate. Speaker Reed
came over from the House and was All
attentive listener. Mr.. WoIcott's
speech criticising the Presidents at
titude on the Venezuelan question was
the notable event of the early part of
the day. For an hour the Senator
commanded the attention of a crowd
ed chamber and oyerfowing galleries.
He spoke ir sonorous voice and with
frequency of dramatic expression and
gesture which called out applause
from the spectators. Senators who diff
fered from Mr.. Wolcott in the senti-
ments expressed joined in the general
congratulations extended to him for
the brilliancy of his effort from an
oratorical standpoint.
Mr. Wolcott made full use of the
opportunity afforded for urging the
English speaking race to put aside
war and discord and to stand together
for the advance of an English speaking
civilization.
As Mr. Wolcott proceeded the gal
leries filled TO their full capacity, and
there but few vacant seats on the
floor Of the chamber. The first inter-
ruption came when Mr.. Wolcott con
trasted the condition of affairs in the
past with those of to-day, adding:
''We do not desire to acquire an addi-
tional acre of land either north or
south of u.s. Here he was Interrupted
by MIR. Mitchell, of Oregon, who asked
what the United States would do i'm
case Great Britain sought to control
the Nicaragua canal Would there be
q protest in the name of the Monroe
doctrine?
Mr.. Wolcott replied: "We certainly
would interfere in the case presented.
We would interfere to any extent. Not
in the slightest because of the Monroe
doctrine, but because of the undoubted
and inalienable right we have to pro-
tect our interests wherever anybody
asserts to the contrary in any portion
of the earth. (Applause in the gal
leries).
Two important reports were made
by the committee on Foreign Affairs.
one by MIR. Cullom, strongly present
ing the serious condition Of affairs in
Turkey and urging prompt action by
the civilized powers and an adverse re-
port on Mr.. Calls resolution calling
for the official speeches of r. s. Con-
suls in Cuba. Mr.. CARS resolution was
about TO be indefinitely postponed but
at Mr. Calls request 1t was placed on
the calendar.
Mr.. Cullom'S resolution recites the
provisions Of the treaty of Berlin as
to religious freedom and resolves that
it is the imperative duty of the United
States to express hope that the Euro
pean powers will bring about the car
rving out of the treaty and requests
Of the President to transmit bis rcso-
luton to the powers. It asserts that
the Senate and House will support the
President in doing all he can to bring
about an alienation Of the present con
ditions.
Mr.. Cullom said the resolution was
reported by the unanimous vote of the
committee and he desired immediate
action.
Mr.. Gray. Dem. DELI, said that he
did not anticipate any objection TO the
resolution but it was of such impor-
tance that there should be time for
consideration Of the terms of the reSo-
luton.
Mr.. Cullom acceded to his sugges-
tion, giving notice that he would ask
for action tomorrow.
At o'clock the bond silver bill was
taken up, Mr.. Teller continuing his
remarks. The Senator said gold was
now at a premium. The banks had
practically suspended payment OF
gold. 1t was a comF1odity, bought and
sold just like corn. But while the
banks suspended gold payments, the
treasury insisted ON such payments.
And this condition had come without
silver legislation.
The Senator proceeding, said that
the gold element in the Senate and in
the country had never yet presented a
monetary system. The four Senators
representing the gold element on the
Finance committee had never offered
system Mr.. Teller arraigned the
policy of issuing bonds with a view,
he said, to building up a permanent
bonded debt to be borne by posterity.
Mr.. Sherman arose as soon as Mr..
Teller closed. The silver discussion,
said he, was purely moot discussion.
No doubt there was a silver majority