The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-04
A STARTLER.
The Free Silver Coinage Bill
Substituted
For the Emergency Tariff Bill
by the Committee
On Motion of Senator Vest Of
Missouri.
FIGHT 1T OVER AGAIN.
Silver Republican Senators Are
Mad About It.
Say It's a Plan to Defeat Tariff
Bill.
FIGHT 1T OVER AGAIN.

AsH1NGTON, FeD. 4.-Ihe nnance
committee of the senate has agreed to
report for the tariff bill substitute pro-
viding for the free coinage of silver.
The substitute was suggested by Sena-
tor Vest and was agreed to on a majority
of one-Senator Jones, of Nevada, vot-
ing with the Democrats for the
| substitute and all the Repub-
licans present voting against it.
| Senator Wolcott of Colorado was the
only Republican absentee and he was
recorded as voting against the substi-
| tute.
Democratic member not present, was
recorded as voting for it.
The substitute agreed TO is in the exact
words OF the silver substitute for the
bond bill which passed the senate
on Saturday. 1t provides for the
free coinage of silver at the
yer seigniorage in the treasury accumu-
| lated by the purchases under the Sher-
man act; prohibits the issuance of ma
tional bank notes of smaller denomi-
nation than $40, and directs the secre-
tary of the treasury to redeem green
backs and treasury notes in either gold
| or silver exclusively at the option of the
| secretary and to reissue greenb backs.
| The meeting of the committee did not
last to exceed half an hour and was de-
void of feature beyond the Offering and
adoption of the substitute The Repub-
| licaus brought up the tariff bill and ex-
| pressed desire TO get it out of the com
| mittee in some shape. When Mr.. Vest
proposed the silver substitute it was
| remarked that the senate had
already been through one silver
fight this session and the belief was ex-
pressed that another could avail little or
nothing. When. however. the vote was
| taken and the result known, the Repub-
licans made no effort to delay the report
to the senate. R
The senate devoted a half hour to
clearing away routine business and
then Mr.. morrill,, chairman of
the finance committee, secured
recognition to report back the tariff
bill. He read in a somewhat tremulous
voice the original title and then the new
title as reported, Gan act to provide for
the free coinage of silver" ETC.
MT, Morrill, smiled he added, II am
| disposed in presenting this to add the
conclusion of official proceedings in
| Massachusetts, and IN ~ God save the
commonwealth 1 was not in favor of
the action by the committee on finance.
but now tb at the bill is here I will en-
deavor to call it up tomorrow"
There had been much confusion
through the chamber, but the re was
hush as Morrill, proceeded and a general
laugh at his reference to the Massachu-
setts proceedings.
Mr.. Quay had remained standing
while nr Morrill, spoke and al
once followed with a motion to
recommit the bill and substitute
back to the finance committee with
| Instructions to report the original bill
and amendment separately. Mr.. Quay
made the motion with evident feeling,
each word swapping out with emphasis
Mr.. Hill called attention to the fact
that the motion was irregular during the
morning hours and the presiding officer
| sustained the point.
Then" said Mr. Quay, 81 ask unani.
nous consent that this bill be referred
back with instructions"
81 object at this time" interposed Mr..
| Hill. aud Mr. Quay's proposition was dis
| posed of for the time being.
As soon as the action of the committee
| became known it was recognized that the
fate of the bill depended largely upon
the way it would be received
| by the silver Republicans. The
report proved a complete surprise to
| them and was unfavorably received with
out exception so far as could be dis
covered. They Immediately began d
movement to have the propositions, tariff
and silver, separated, aud they will
| generally support Senator Quay's motion
| TO this effect. The silver Republicans
seen, expressed themselves as follows:
Senator Mitchell of Oregon: "It is a
| Democratic move to defeat the tariff. l
Won't vote for it,
Senator Pettigrew-"I am against it .
You might just as we'll try to put the
ten commandments on any bill that
| comes into the senate.
Senator Carter-"The bill will be re-
| committed and ought to be with in
| structions to report the tariff bill and
silver propositions separately"
Senator Hansbrough-NI will not vote
for it as an anne endment to the tariff bilL''
Senator Clarke-"I am surprised at the
action of the committee. l would not
say until investigate the subject wheth-
| er 1 will vote for the substitute or not,
but at first thought the committee's work
looks to me like boyish play"
| Senator Warren-"I am not for IL; it is
not in the interest of silver"
Senator Mantle-'I am a silver man,
and l may vote for the substitute
However, l will not feel obliged to do SO,
if it becomes apparent as the matter pro
crosses, that the substitute is intended
for other purpose than to beat the
tariff bill.
Senator Wilson-"I am against the
substitute"
Senator Perkins-"I voted consistent
l ly for the silver substitute for the bond