Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-11
IN CONGRESS-.
Senator Jones of Arkansas,
Discusses the Bond Bill.
Argues That Only Reasonable Course
Is Adoption Of Free Silver.
The House Spends the Day In Working on
The Rules.

| Washington, Jan. lU-ln the Senate
Morgan offered and had referred to ii,
committee on foreign relations, /;
| joint resolution conveying the earpe.
congratulations Of the people OF the
! United States to the President AND
people OF the Transvaal republic upon
Their success IN establishing u free
representative government. republican in
form. and in their opposition to any
foreign power that denies to them the full
enjoyment of their rightful liberties.
The House bond bill, with the free sill
yer substitute, Wa taken up and Jones
having charge Of the substitute, addres set.
Il e Senate in Its support He expressed
The belief Of the majority Of the finance
committee that the suhs.itat would bring
relief TO the country. The s,le of bonds
as proposed in the House could, he said,
accomplish no good result, but would, in
his opinion, be productive Of much evil.
The laws now on the statute books would.
with the revival Of business provide ample
revenue.
The change needed was not in the
revenue laws bur in the financial condi-
ton OF the people ut large If means
could be devised of relieving the present.
emf,arras sments. there would be no ciIl-
Guilty about the condition of the govern
meDt of the revenues
/. On the point of bi -metal,ism. Jones
sail: When it is clear that England
viii not consent to an international agree
ment and France and Germany will not
move except in company with England
then the question comes home to us. what
will the people of the United States do
A tremendous responsibility in this
emergency, In my opinion. rests upon Us
as a nation. We are the only nation who
believe that the object of organizing gov
ernments is to advance the interests and
welfare OF the masses. That the complete
re establishment of bimetallsm would
greatly benefit and advance the masses.
and would tend TO check and strange the
stating aggregations of wealth into few
hands now taking place there can be nc
doubt
If other nations will rot join US In
this great movement in the interest OF
humanity, it is our duty to undertake il
alone. We have encountered and overcome
greater difficulties in the past. and be
lieve that the high destiny marked out for
Us by Providence requires Us to act now
with decision and assume fully the great
responsibility of leadership among the
nations Of the Garth
II believe that the unlimited coinage O,
silver would, by reviving commerce, in
crease our revenues and do away abso-
iuteiy with any pretence of necessity to
issue bonds. An overwhelming majority of
the people are animated by the sentiments
OF lofty and unselfish patiotism, and
have abiding confidence that the great
question which this proposed amendment
presents for solution will be wisely and
Justly determined by the great tribunal by
which it must be finally determined.
1t is TO my mind an evidence almost
conclusive of the weakness of any cause
for its friends to be unwilling to have ii
passed upon by the people. The friends
OF bi-metallism are ready and anxious TO
have the people settle this question.
MIR. Jones finished his speech at 3. 80 p
NJ. 1t was listened to with interest on
the Democratic side, but the Republican
senators paid it scant attention
10 reply to an inquiry by Teller. Jones
said he would be glad to have the bill
pressed rs rapidly as possible, but In view
OF the fact that number of senators
wanted to speak on the bill, he would not
ask for vote for at least several days.
The Senate then adjourned till MONDAY