The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26

financial legislation Congress would enact.
The resolution then bound no man TO vote
for free coinage and it binds no man now
Mr. Hear dissented from Mr.. TeIIer's
proposition that this resolution involved
only a question of law and urged that 1t
had come row to question of honor. This
is not a question OF law, said he, 1T is
question Of the violation of the public faith.
Shylock, continued Mr.. Hoar, had the
law on his side for a good while, but nobody
supposed that Shylock, without derogation
of the rights of Antonio. could take that
pound of flesh.
Mr.. Teller contended that he had quite
as much regard for the national honor as
had other members of the Senate. i am
getting tired" shouted Mr.. Teller. "of the
position assumed by certain senators here
because they live in the Eastern part of
they are no more strenuous in unfolding the
public honor than | am | want to say here
and now that I believe in paying the debts
of the government in silver. even il that is
the cheaper metal. The government has the
right to the difference according to its con-
tract. The silver dollar which the gentle
man from Iowa (Allison) says is as good
as the gold dollar is paid to the mechanic,
the artisan and the laborer in liquidation
of obligations incurred with them, and
hold that the bond purchaser is no better
than the man with the blistered hands and
ought TO be paid in the same money. The
secretary of the treasury is now bound by
law TO regard the interests of the people.
but that department has been making law
TO suit itself for twenty years." Mr. Teller
paying the debt of the government in silver.
TELLER INSULTS FAIRBANKS.
Mr.. Fairbanks arose and endeavored to
PROFOUND question to Mr.. Teller.
Sit down. cried the Colorado senator.
Eve been badgered enough"
As Mr.. Fairbanks sat down, Mr.. Teller
said he would tomorrow answer the ques-
ton, but he did not now desire to be in
terrupted. Mr.. Teller declared in conclu
sion that he had seen the national treasury
robbed-a transaction the most disgraceful
ever accomplished by national administra-
ton. In view of the fact, he thought that
the arrogation TO themselves by the oppc-
nents Of the resolution of all honesty was
not warranted by the facts.
Mr.. Hoar replied to Mr.. Teller in speech
in which he deplored the remarkable eff
fort of the Colorado senator. He con-
tended that the question was not one of le-
gal power, but of honor and good faith He
would not say that the senator from COLO
nor would he order him Ito sit down. as
he had ordered the senator from Indiana.
Mr.. Teller-I will strike that out of my
speech
IF I were the senator" said Mr.. Hoar,
II would have the entire speech stricken
Following Mr.. Hoar. Mr.. Rawlins Dem.
Utah spoke in support of the resolution,
st made r ME- R Poey
the deposits in savings banks.
Mr.. Hale declared that the debate during
the day had settled the fact that it was
the desire of the advocates of the resolu-
ton to bring the country to a silver basis
and to make the payment of all debts, pub
and private. in silver, which was now worth
less than half what gold is worth. He was
willing. he said, to have the people of the
country pass on that proposition. 1T was
voted down in 1886 declared Mr.. Hale,
and l have no fear that the American
people will now take the back track upon
it,
Mr.. Vest insisted that the Maine senator's
resolution in false light I'VE are not
monometallists,' said he, but bimetallistS
While | do not care to discuss the question
at this late hour, think can demonstrate
that the free coinage of silver would raise
the price of that metal to its former value
] maintain that the opening of the minis to
the free coinage of silver would not be in
violation of the public honor"
Mr.. Allison asked Mr.. Vest whether he
thought the Bland-Allison act in substantial
compliance with the concurrent resolution
of twenty years ago.
This is no financial kindergarten, said
Mr. Vest THE senator from Iowa ought
to know what the Band-Allison act meant,
because he framed it himself
Il want it understood declared Mr.. ALI
son, that the resolution of 1878 did not
mean the. free coinage Of silver as the
senators from Colorado (Mr. Teller and
from Missouri (Mr. VesD have both said
that this resolution means. | want an an
financial kindergarten to obtain an answer
! would like to have the senator from Mis-
souri, open such a school now.
Mr.. Vest did not deem 1t necessary, he
said, to extend the colloquy further at so
late an hour. but he asked that an amend
ment to the resolution offered by Mr.. Lodge
earlier in the day be read for information.
The Senate then. at 5:45 o'clock, adjourned