The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-08
Sen. Vest Don't Want the Democratic Con-
yeniIOn Filled with Federal 0ticsholders.
THE QUESTION OF SILVER AND GOLD.
Senator Hill Rcfends Secretary Car
lisie From the Attacks Made Upon
Him-The e.'snap"Convention Prac-
tice Also Furnishes ~ Subject
for Considerable Debate.

was Il reminder of the scenes and ex-
periences in the 51st Congress to-day
when Mr.. Pickler Qiep.. S. d.. who was
unable yesterday to secure as long q
session of the House as he desired for
the consideration of private pension
bills, made the point of no quorum be
fore the journal OF yesterdays proceed
ingS was read. Fifteen minutes paSscE
before 179 members appeared. and the,
Mr. Picker insisted upon having III,
journal read in extenso, including the
names of the ahsentees on roll call. III,
also objected 20 the performa suggestion
that the journal be considered as an
proved. requiring vote upon the Ques-
tion. Throughout the session MIR. Pick
Ter demanded the regular order at every
opportunity. Mr.. Payne called atten,
tion to the fact that this action tended
only TO defeat his expressed purpose,
inasmuch as those bills could be taken
up only by unanimous consent This
Mr. Pickler interpreted to veil q threa I
that unanimous consent would not be
given, and rearked that he ''accepteo
service" The incident there stopped
and the House at 3:40 adjourned.
A resolution directing the Commission
er of Agriculture to report to the Senate
Immediately the reason for delay In dis
uibution of seeds, was offered by Mr..
Gallinger, and agreed to.
The resolution for an inquiry as to
bond sales in 1S9t-'95-'96 was taken up
and Mr.. Palmer addressed the Senate.
He felt that the aninus of the resolu-
tion was to effect the public mind with
reference to the silver question.
He did not suppose that any Senator
Except. perhaps, the Senator from
South Dakota, Mr.. Pettigrew) question
ed the integrity of the Secretary of the
Treasury. The Senator's judgment
might possibly be disputed and correct
ness of his acts might he questioned
He CMr Palme) had opposed the reso-
luton because he believed It's purpose
was TO secure material TO afrec; unfa-
vorably the public mind on the silver
question.
Much of Mr.. Paimer's argument was
addressed to the question how much
tho commercial value of the silver dol
lar would be affected under free and un-
limited coinage. The answer given by
MI. Cockrell was that the commercial
value of the gold dollar and of the sill
Yer dollar would be equal-that the all
Yer dollar would appreciate some and
the gold dollar depreciate some,
Then" said Mr.. Palmer. 1.-The point
where they unite would be the standard
of value; instead OF gold, the present
standard of value"
He read an editorial from u Philadel-
phia paper discussing Mr. McKinley's
position on the silver question.
Mckinley" he said, "is TO be the Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency
! understand that the opposition to him
has practically failed. only protest
tha, there should he in this contest. dis
t.nct, clear, precise. platforms adopted
by political parties: and j have sought
this morning 10 endeavor 10 clear away
something of the confusion which at
tends this discussion We have this
hope. this vain. this illusory hope. that
we can bring up a siXty-eight cent ounce
OF silver 10 a $i.29 ounce--wh!ch covers
the comparative difference between the
values of the two metals"
Desiring to have certainty in the
measure of value" Mr.. Carter Uep..
Mont..) broke in. II ask the Sena tor
from illinois to state whether or not
he agrees with the British Royal Com
mission that the purchasing power of
gold has constantly appreciated since
1873"
NO. do not agree with it," Mr..
Palmer replied.
Does the Senator from Illinois. "
Mr.. Garter asked, "agree with the fur
ther proposition that prices of the pro-
ducts OF human toll and the soil itself,
as measured in gold, have deprecated
since 1892"
Yes, agree to that" said Mr. Pal
mer.
-i'' o"' 'ti was proceeding to put fur-
ther questions, but Mr.. Palmer declined
to be catechised until his own question
was answered.
II believe l will ask the Senator from
Illinois a question:" Mr.. Harris broke
IN IF the Senator was the owner of
silver bullion and had the right to
nave II coined at full legal tender
rate would he sell that silver bullion
at less than Sl-29 to the ounce?'
nave got every sort Of answer"
AIR. Palmer replied from my friends
who are in favor OF free currency. ex
cept direct answer"
My answer Is" Mr.. Harris exclaimed.
that free coinage would bring silver
up to par" Vs.
Mr.. Vest asked Mr.. Palmer what he
meant by an allusion in his speech 10
snap conventions" and was informed
that IL referred to conventions last wear
In Missouri and Illinois.
Mr. Vest reverted to the question Of
snap conventions, and after an allu.
sion to the recent extension OF the civil
s,EVice REFORM. to the dismissa! of
District Attorney Benton in Missouri
In 1883 for speaking at a Democratic
convention. and then tor the fact that
the members of the present administra>
tion had been allowed TO make speeches
in opposition to free silver he wound
up his speech with these words.
II serve notice now, that IL this con-
vention al Chicago is to be made up Of
Fadaral 0ffina -hoid.rs = '--F