The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-02-20
is CRUSHED TO DEATH
Free Coinage Substitute for Bond
Bill Overwhelmed.
AFTER A GALLANT FIGHT
Tho House. After the Decisive Vote of
215t to 90, Declare for Nom
concurrence.

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 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 1878 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 ap-
preciated Its price and induced a fall OF
prices throughout the world. That fall
or 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 1t
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 a 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-Alison act
OF 1878 was executed, the coinage of the
minimum amount under the act and re-
fusGl OF the treasury after a few months
to coin silver under the act of 1890 He
cited Secretary Carllsle's refusal to give
silver for gold in 1893 because silver
was needed for the redemption of
treasury notes, and his course few
months afterward of redeeming 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.
III 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 tax-ridden people millions
OF dollars? In February, 1895, congress
could have saved the people SIC, 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 an
plauded to the echo the presidents mes
sage, warning European powers that
they would not be permitted to secure
lodgment 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-
envy. Yet you want that condition
perpetuated."
Criticising the bond BILL he declared
Its purpose was to impound greenbacks
ana TO do indirectly what the majority
dare not do directly 1t was plan TO
retire all greenbaeks by holding them
In the treasury at the cost of outstand-
ing interest bearing bonds, plan which
Carlisle had characterized as the
most remarkable experiment suggest
ed In modern times.'
Coming down to the practical oues-
lions whether the United States inde-
pendently could maintain with free
coinage the parity between gold and
silver. he said that there was no dlffer-
ence or opinion that 1t could be ac-
complished by an international agree
ment.
Ee quoted from Jackson and Jeffer-
son, ana contemptuously said It had re-
NAMED Tor modern economists to assert
that to create demand and value hv
law was "a physical and a metaphysical
a bsurdity"
He also quoted Sherman and Carlisle
(while he was in the housed. to the er-
feet that united action Of several com
tries could sustain silver. As TO the
ability of the United States to do 60
alone, the example of France. n conn
try Infinitely inferior in wealth ara
trade to us, must be borne In nina
Our commerce, internal and extern,I |
exceeded that of England. GERMANY
and France combined. If orr mines |
were opened TO the free coinage Of su-
yer, the commercial value Of the metal |
would be equal to its legal vaIua a.
mis- country, because anyone hav,ns,
Il21a grains could bring It here ana 90
standard silver dollars worth of con.
e0'i
He went extensively into figures IN
how that there had been no over-nroS
luction of silver
In conclusion. Mr.. Crisp declared that
the United States would but assar.
Is pohtical and financial independence.
Prosperity would return and conceded
ne perpetual heritage of our people.
Mr.. crisp spoke an hour and n half
nd was applauded when he sat down
Mr.. Turner of Georgia was then reeor-
lied for an hour. He said he aid NOT
retend to be actuated by greater cour-
sc than others, nor did he assume
fsdom beyond his day or generation.
e expounded exhaustively, with conf
ID illustrations from our history.