The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-12
FREE SILVER IN THE HOUSE
Hot and Lengthy Discussion Brought on by
Very Small Bill.

-
Hot and Lengthy Discussion Brought on by
avery Small Biii.
Washington, Feb 1.-THE house today
passed the Notifications bill with but a
single amendment, and made Roadway
with the postoffice appropriation bill.
But the major portion Of the day was con
sumed in a political debate on the finan-
cial question, which was precipitated by
an innocent bill providing for funding
the debts Of the territories. The bill
aroused the opposition Of Mr.. McMiilen
because it provided for gold bonds and
the payment Of interest in gold or its
equivalent.
Mr. Knox Rep., Mass.) said the stipu-
lation regarding gold bonds applied only
etc Arizona, which had outstanding gold
bonds
Mr.. Payne Rep., y. " said he saw no
reason why the other territories should
not be permitted to issue gold bonds.
This bill bore this relation TO the question
OF whether We should put gold in the
bonds of the United States. He had vot-
ed for the bonds when the sdministra-
ton put the country in a position where
not to do so would cost the people si2,-
eco. Congress refused and now the
taxpayers would have to pay that $12,-
900 600
And yet you maintain" interrupted
Mr.. Terry Dem. Ark) that we should
pay those bonds in gold although We
paid sl2,000,000 for the privilege of pay
ing them IN silver"
Every one maintains. or almost every
one maintains" replied Mr.. Payne, that
the bonds are payable in gold. But the
state Democratic candidate for vice pres
ident, Sewall, who ran on a silver plat
form, held gold bonds. and mine owners
who were rampant for free silver, wrote
god in their notes"
Mr.. Hartman CRep., MONTY Indignantly
denied this statement, but Mr.. Payne in
sisted he was right. He said that the
western debtors in order to get money
at respectable rates of interest. We're
obliged to agree to pay principal and m
terest in gold. He said he believed in
United States bond should be paid in
gold.
Mr.. Mcguire Dem. CALI replied to Mr.
Payne He said the honesty OF believers
in free silver was TO be questioned be-
cause some Of them in loaning their
money made gold contracts. Silver had
by Jaw been deprived OF its legitimate
function as money. Gold had been given
special privilege. Silver was mere token
money. Why should a business man
abandon the business advantage which
the law gave him because of his convic-
ton that. as matter of policy, silver
should be remonetized?
Mr.. Bailey (Dem. Tex.,) made a brief ar
gument to demonstrate that a gold con-
tract, being contrary to public policy, was
Illegal
Mr.. Walker Rep. Mass), chairman OF
the committee on banking and currency,
declared that II was as notorious as that
the sun shines, that there were certain
states OF the Union whose monetary sys-
tenn was of congressional legislation. There
were seven states where all transactions
were in gold, and yet It was curious that
the representatives from those states on the
floor sought TO compel the rest of the
Union 10 take 20 cents on dollar. He
urged the house to vote Own an amend
mcnt that had been submitted by Mr. Nc
Ai:llin, which was as FLOWS:
provided, that the principal and inter-
est CT the bond under this act shall be pay
able in any lawful money of the United
States. except tho Arizona bonds above
described. hcretefore issued"
Mr.. Bartlett (Dem. n. W warned the
hcuse that ;he adoption cf t.is amendmen.
was equivalent to n declaration in favor OF
scft pcney.
Mr.. Lacey Uep. Ia.l depIored the fact
hat a financial debate had been precipi-
lated by the bill and expressed the hope
that this b.il would not DO run ashore and
wrecked on silver coast. NJ. Hartman
again got the floor 20 deny the statements
Of Mr.. Walker, who, ne said. had furnish
ID mere m,sinformation to the world on
his question than all the rest of the
house" He insisted that gold contracts
we're not made in mis- state. All denying
sold contracts. His correspondent said he
lad been in the Onking business twenty
'ears and had never seen gold note.
In justification of his statement. Mr..
Walker produced and read some gold notes
made in Utah and California. He said he
egretted it, If he had made a mistake in
the seven states, but he in
listed that there were seven states where
practically all time obligations were pay
Ible in gold.
Mr.. McMillin's amendment was agreed |
o-149 to a, after which the bill was pass
d. The house then went into committee |
# the whole and took up the postoffice ap-
'ropriation bill.
Mr.. Loud Rep. CALI in charge. said there |
vas some question about the justice of the |
resent method of determining the COM |
'ensation given TO the various railroads |
or carrying mails. He said congress could |
10 nothing but fix the maximum compensa- !
.on. II was within the power of the post |
master general to prescribe methods for |
btaining the transportation OF mails and |
quitable rates. The cost OF transporta-
ion of mails during the past eighteen years
ad been sees, O0o, COO. OF this. $50 900 coo had |
one 20 the roads, which received per
ent less than non-aided roads. Yet the
of mail was so profitable TO
lese land grant roads at the reduced COM
ensation that they had put on fast mail |
rains in order to get the contracts. He !
bought all the roads should be put on the
anne basis. The non-aided roads could
ford 20 carry the mails at the rates paid
md grant roads.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 1.-THE senate
1day passed the diplomatic and consular
preparation bill and fixed next Wedne.-
ay at p. m, at the time for final vote
n the immigration conference report.
he.e were the only features OF the open |
assion. which was cut short early in the
ay by the arbitration treaty. The diplo-
.atic and consular bill, as passed. carries
,645,S0s, slight increase on minor items
yer the house bill
ARBITRATION TREATY.
Washington, d. C. Feb. 1.-THE senate
oent the greater part of the day in execu-
We session debating the Anglo-American
FILTRATION treaty. The entire time was
onsumed by Senators Turpie and Morgan.
se former in advocacy OF and the latter IN
oposition 20 ratification. No action was
ken on any amendment or any part OF
ie treaty. and but little appreciable pro-
ress was made.
Senator Sherman took 10 part in toisy's
but he told several senators that
: was exceeiiH giy anxious TO have the
lestio1 disposed OF as speedily as possible.
e said that he was contemplating asking