The herald., 1896-02-09

said he, ''has been more consistent, mere
lv adhesive to his announcement, than he.
In 1885. before his first inauguration, he
declared against the silver heresy; In all
his utterances since he has adhered to that
position. In May, 1892, he reiterated his
position for the fifth time.
"You know" said he, addressing the
Democratic side, ''that he could not carry
out your platform except at the price of
perjury and personal dishonor; yet you
now pretend you were deceived"
Towne of Minnesota illustrated his re-
marks with chart. Twice the house gave
him an extension of time and his remarks
aroused great enthusiasm among the silver
forces. His charts showed the apprecia-
ton of gold and the fall of prices. One
chart, upon which he laid special stress,
demonstrated, he said, that the fall in the
price of silver since 1878 was due to the
over production of silver.
Mr.. Towne closed with the declaration
that the Republican party must define its
program and do something for the restora-
ton of silver. The United States could
unite with France and Germany, if Eng
land refused. Towne was given a tre-
mendous ovation when he concluded. For
several minutes the free silver members
crowded about and rendered him their con-
gratulations.
Hall, of Missouri, the author of the in
come tax bill in the last congress, was
followed with close attention i'll speech
in which he announced his conversion to
"sound money"
''If were called on today to define what
I regarded as the greatest crime and curse
threatening to sink American institutions"
said he,''I should reply in ono sentence,
the cowardice of our politicians, of the
men who have not the courage, the man
hood. the grit to go before the people and
tell them when they are wrong upon these
great economic questions.'
II arm credibly informed that there are
eight senators at the other end of this cap
itol who voted for this bill, who say they
believe the free and unlimited coinage Of
silver at 16 to l would mean national
bankruptcy and ruin. What does it mean?
II means that our politicians have come to
pretty pass when, in order to feather
their own nests, in order to hold them
selves in office, national, state or county,
they are willing to see great number
of men who have not the time to deive into
these questions, turn their backs upon
their own welfare; when they are willing to
close their hearts 10 all gratitude for past
favors and tell those men that what really
leads to destruction leads but to prosperity
and happiness.
ssG know it is regarded as political death
for man in a rural district not to throw
up his hands and applaud these delusions.
but il my people want man OF that Kind
to represent them, they can get rid of me
and will willingly and gladly retire from
political life."
Talbert-Did not the gentleman vote for
the free coinage bill in 1898? l ask tho
question for information.
Hall-The gentleman asks il did not
vote for the free coinage bill in the extra
session in 1898. I answer, yes. Eut
will tell the gentleman that [ have pro-
gressed since that time, while he is stand
ing where l was three years ago.
Laughter.
Layton-I wish to ask the gentleman a
question. understood him to make the
extraordinary statement that he has been
informed that eight senators who had
voted for this bill said they actually be-
lieved that the free coinage of silver would
lead to the bankruptcy and destruction of
this country.
Hall-'I told you that was credibly in
formed that they had said it, and I be-
lieved it or | would not have stated it
here. But want to say few words now
on this question OF consistency. l find
upon investigation that the bureau of edu-
cation, that the Inhabitants of the Indies
and the tribes of Africa are the only hui
man beings that are wholly consistent.
(Laughter.)
The lower grades of animals are al
ways consistent. Laughter). 1 maintain
ttidt TtdsOhiiigs tilougutiui. ciedf-llettieu
men who pass through the world with
their minds open to the investigation of
truth. are ever liable to change.
"Where is the intelligent man in the
United States who has not high regard
for William Il. Gladstone, the great Eng
lish statesman? Listen to that grand man
express his regret that he should have
made the blrnder that he did in 1852.
Observe the course of Bismarck, the great
est of German statesmen. When he was
advocating the sale of the silver of Ger
many for whatever price could be obtained
for it. and was approached by one of his
friends. who said, Il am just where you
was the political blunder of my life; and
have intelligence enough to profit by it
and move forward
misunderstanding to this doctrine we
can never tell where man stands.
Hall-You can always tell, Mr.. Chair
man. how certain animals stand and how
the Chinese stand, because they adopt the
doctrine of Confucius that the greatest
crime which Chinaman can commit is to
attempt to do thing differently from the
way his ancestors did it a thousand years
before.
l did not intend to make an address
further than TO put myself on record as the
Democrat from the rural district west of
the Mississippi. in a purely agricultural
district, that dares stand up and say that
sound money is the salvation Of the agri-
cultural and laboring classes of this gov
ernment. l understand full we'll that the
action of the National Bimetalic league
has put my district on the blacklist. un-
dersand, situated as / am, both of
my senators on the opposite side of the
question and all of my speaking colleagues
on the Democratic side on the other side of
the question, it leaves me standing alone
practically, and with O hard row to hoe.
And if shall go down to defeat shall go
with r:;y own self-respect and my friends
will be able to appreciate that l was not
too cowardly to tell my people what I be-
lieved to be right when their judgment was
entirely the other way.
Cox-Now, in view of the fact that we
have acted together and have worked for
free silver, | hope the gentleman from
Missouri does not mean to say that his
friends who happen to differ with rim on
this question or who have not advanced SO
far as he has, are set of towards or have
no respect for facts
Hail. do not believe the shoe fits him
and do not want any man to wear it un.
less it does fit him. ~
At $40 p. IN. the house took recess
until o'clock.
The consideration of the silver substitute
for the house bond bill was continued at
the house night session and number of
members took part in the discussion.
FresnOs Ex.CIerk
FRESNO, Feb. S.--The evidence for the
prosecution in I've Clerk Wood case was
concluded today. No witnesses were called