The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-14

chairman of the House Committee on
Banking and Currency, opposing the
adoption of the report, said that his COM
mittee and the Senate Committee on
Finance had determined to present some
plan of currency and banking reform Tor
consideration at the extra session OF Con-
gress. But tor the calling of this conven-
ton such a plan would have been pre-
scented before now. The convention had
met, and what have you doneH lie an
swereo that the recommendations could
not be considered prior to the asse bling
of the Fifty-siXth Congress. do you
want 10 nut off relief" he asked, until
that time, keeping the people in suspense
and distress ior that much longer period 2"
Before God and under his oath of office
he said he felt it to be his duty to do what
he could to improve the present system.
But this scheme involved further delay
and the absolute tieing of the hands OF the
committee OF Congress. Not five mem
bers would attend the meetings, and they
might as well shut UP and go home.
Legislation, he said, could only be accom-
plished by having it urged upon Con-
gress by body of men who would
give Congress no rest day or night until 1t
mad been accomplished.
"But, in my opinion" he said in conclu-
sion, 'ln the infirmity OF human nature
you have damned the reform for the pres
emit"
Mr.. Walkers sentiments met some
small approval.
Mr.. Roots of Indiana, member OF the
State Legislature, said he conceived IL TO
be the duty of men elected in representa-
tive position TO find out the sentiments OF
his constituents and then try to carry out
those sentiments whether they happened
to be his own or not.
And dangerous, he said, sis the posi-
ton of any member of Congress who
charges US with being lobbyists Tor any
immoral or other object" Applause.
Mr.. Roots added his views upon The
commission scheme which involved
committee to let in consultation with the
Congressional committees in She prepare
ton of currency reform.
CONGRESSMAN Fowler OF New Jersey
offered an amendment to constitute a
permanent executive committee OF the
convention consisting OF one member
from each State to act in con junction with
the Congressional committee in framing
bill to carry out the purposes outlined In
the mmittee's report
Referring to Mr.. Roots opening state
ment, which Mr.. Fowler said had been ut
tered with a rather superior air, that as e
public official he had learned it was the
duty of representative to express the
sentiments of his constituents, Mr.. Fowler
said:
There is nothing grander in the
history of American politics than the
action and example OF Senator Lamar
in 1878, when from every home, hamlet
and town in his State came demands that
he should vote for the tree coinage of sill
yer. But knowing that they were wrong,
and with his conscience and heart between
him and his God, he voted against it.
Then he went home as every true man
would DO, laid down his honor at the feet
of his people, went 10 work 10 educate
them up to the truth and not to descend
to the level of ignorance. Applause.
Mr.. Roots rising to question OF per-
sonal privilege, said he had nothing to re-
tract, but wished TO disaYow the sneer
which Mr.. Fowler imputed TO him, and TO
say that he approved his proposition to
put the matter in the hands OF the people.
Mr.. BuIlitt of Philadelphia opposed the
Fowler amendment because it was inn
practicable for the States to select COM
mittee of the caliber of the man who con-
ceived and made possible this convention,
of which alone the committee should
consist. No progress would have ever
been made in the accomplishment OF good
Tor humanity if men had been driven from
The track because some man under the
influence OF disappointment over failure
OF plan or ambition had told them they
had damned" the movement they were
supporting. Applause.
Mr.. Bullitt warmly indorsed the report
of the committee as avoiding the dangers
which threatened any other course. He
trusted the convention would adopt the
resolutions as reported.
Mr.. Camp OF Knoxville, Tenn, support
ed the Fowler amendment, as being much
more likely to prove effective in accom-
plishing what was desired than the COM
mittee's proposition. In the selection of
the committee Congress should be repre-
sented, he said, and that could be secured
under the Fowler amendment
Representative Walker explained that
what he said in mis- former remarks went
to the point, that the proposition of the
committee meant a delay of action until
the Ffty-sixth Congress, which might diff
fer from the present one on economical
subjects, and therefore 1t damned the
movement for the present. Members of
Congress, he said, were not wholly igno-
rant, and all information did not exist
outside of that body.
In answer 10 questions by several dele
gates Mr.. Walker said the vital element
in the problem was time; that if the pro-
posed bill was not prepared and ready for
submission to the special session the set
tlement of the whole question must go
over two years, and every body who has
ever been in Congress knows it. As to his
position in the conference Mr.. Walker
said he was in it with as much tight as the
gentleman from Philadelphia (Bullitt), by
Inc authority of the Worcester Board of
Trade. He made no threats, he said, and
nothing he had said could properly give
rise 10 criticism.
To John Harsen Rhoades of NewYork,
particularly, Mr.. Walker said he was
pleading for a change in the method
which business men have followed in the
past Success by this convention, he said,
was a duty.
Mr. Rhoades-Is it true, Mr.. Walker,
that at the close of the nineteenth century
we must buy the passage OF any bill
through Congress by the offer of a price
the reelection of the members? Loud
applause.
Mr.. Wa ker-If this is to be government
of the people for the people and this con-
vention cheers the sentiment and spirit of
that inquiry | lave nothing to say. But If
the mem Der does not act, so asto gets re-
election he does not represent the people.
Applause.
NJ. e. ingalls, of Cincinnati supported
the report of the committee. de said:
I'll has seemed to me that our work was
in danger OF injury by the discussion that
is going on here and which has nothing TO
do with The case. Ii our friend Walker
wishes to give lecture on the best way TO
help Congress / will hire hall and give
him an evening. / know the sincerity OF
The man and | think he is mistaken in his
zeal for the cause and has worked himself
TO the idea that there is but one way to
accomplish this thing, and as the
committee did not quite agree with him
in his way he is disappointed.
All want to say to you, gentlemen,
is that the committee of thirty-tve on