Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-14
54th CONGRESS.
Senate Discusses Bill to
Increase the Revenue.
Cockrel| improves the Opportunity to
Make a Silver Speech.
The House Seats Aldrich. the Republican
Contestant from Alabama.

Washington, March 13.-The Senate
took up the House bill providing for a
temporary increase of revenue. Cockrell
argued that every government obligation,
with the single exception OF gold certiti-
Gates, was payable III gold or silver com,
at the option Of the government. He said
that there had been no raids on the treas
ury gold prior to Oct. II, 1891, because OF
the general belief that the notes OF the
government were redeemable in silver.
Cockrell read letter of Oct. s. 1891,
from the Republican Club OF Boston, to
Charles Foster, secretary OF the treasury,
inquiring as to the payment of United
States notes in gold, and Foster S reply
stating that treasury notts are redeeme"
in gold, when presented at the treasury or
any sub-treasury' also u telegram from
Phincas Pearce of Boston, to Secretary
Foster stating that in conseqne hence of
Fosters letter to the Republican Club, he
had presented at the sub-treasury in Bos-
ton, $1,000 in notes for redemption in gold,
and gold had beea refused, ana telegram
in response. signed by Secretary Foster,
saying that The assistant treasurer had
been instructed To redeem treasury notes
in gold "
That correspondence, C1ckrcll said,
opened Pandora's box ths5 All the Ills
that had sinca fallen upon the country
had been simply because Secretary Foster
surrendered, voluntarily, meekly, suhniis-
siVely, tine right Of the government TO re
deem those notes in silver as well as gold
Secretary Foster had not redeemed II
dollar. OF those notes in silver but after
Oct. IA, 1891. Secretary Carlisle had re-
deemed $40, 900, 900 In standard silver dol
lars, retiring and cancelling the NOTES al d
no harm had come from it. IL every oUnc,
of silver bullion in the treasury had been
coined in silver dollars and paid out it
the redemption of treasury notes, no harm
would have come. That surrender on tbs
Cockrell's aid, inIdeiiance Of the express
latter and purpose of tae law OF the Con
grtss
Cookrell argued against the Pfesi dent's
pro position for the issue of 50-years bonds
TO retire the legal tender notes as anti
Democratic Ii was the worst remedy fol
financial ills, he said, that an Executive
Officer ever proposed. 1t would be tbs
surrspder of the use Of silver and wout
cost tile people, at the end Of the 80 years
over 81, i31 900, 00o.
Referring to Secretary Carlisle's recent
speech in New York. Cockrell said the dis
euise had been thrown aside and ''sount
money! meant ''gold." Such mono
metallism was anti Democratic. He dc
MED that the courageous advocacy OF fre'
silver will divide the Democratic party.
Reading from list OF Democratic rep
resentatiyes elected in 1892 and 1894. h,
showed that there had been terrible fall
ing of of Democratic Representatives
elected in the latter year, due to the fac
| that the election had been under the golf
mono metallic standard Of Presidcn
| Cleveland.
Cockrell referred to Secretary Carlisle
speech at Covington, Ky, last summer
| as containing ridiculous statements. II
| conclusion, he appealed to the country Il
once more declare its independence ant
Pronounce for the equality of gold and sill
I YER, or else resume dependence upol
Great Britain.
Notices were given by Chandler ant
| Platt of their purpose to address the Sen
ats on the Cuban resolutions; and b.
Lodge of the purpose to speak on the ques
ton of immigration.
| After an executive session, the Senat
! adjourned until Monday.