The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26
IN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE
DURING WHICH THE sILVERTTES
THREW OFF THEIR DISGUISE,
And Admitted the Teller Resolution
Meant the Free and Unlimited
Coinage of White Metal.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-To-day's ses-

under consideration, the principal speeches
being made by Mr.. Allison, Mr.. Berry Mr.
Teller and Mr.. Hoar. The sharpest colloquy
was at times INDUCED in between the advC-
Gates and the opponents of the resolution
the debate often approaching bitterness.
The feature of the discussion was a speech
delivered by Mr. Teller the author of the
resolution. his statement calling out a sug-
gestion from MIR. Hoar that he (Mr Teller
ought to have them stricken from the rec
ords In response to an inquiry by Mr..
Spooner, Mr.. Vest admitted that he thought
the system of coinage referred to in the
resolution meant the free and unlimited
coinage of silver that admission apparently
giving satisfaction to the opponents OF the
measure.
Before taking up legislative matters the
Senate at noon held "a brief executive ses-
sion. AT 1915 p. m. the doors were opened
and the Senate proceeded to general bust
ness. Mr.. Quay secured the passage of a
bill 10 indemnify the State of Pennsylvania
for money expended in 1864 for militia called
INTO military service by the government
The amount involved is $4,000. Mr. Quay
also reported the army appropriation bill
Mr.. Butler offered an amendment to the
postoffice appropriation bill providing for
an extension of the experiment of rural free
Union and to many sections of those
States and Territories as possible. Mr.. But
Ter said the amendment had been drawn
after fun consultation with the POSTMASTER
general.
Mr.. Perkins called up the pension appro-
priaton bill. The amendment proposed by
Mr.. Allen providing that the lowest pension
paid by the government be IS a month was
ruled out of order. Mr.. Allen then offered
an amendment to the bill increasing the
amount appropriated from $141 ,OOO.0oO to
SlaS,OOO.C00 in accordance with the estimates
made by the commissioner of pensions, but
1t was lost without division. The pension
bill was then passed.
MR.. ALLISON'S SPEECH.
The Teller resolution was laid before the
Senate. Mr.. Allison reviewed the history of
the Stanley Matthews resolution, maintain
ing that its passage al that time was not in
opposition to public interest or in derogation
OF the rights of the public creditors He
held that now the situation was quite differ
ent Mr.. Allison insisted that the pending
resolution gave the secretary of the treas
ury no more authority under the law than
he now has. The secretary may now pay
government obligations in coin He held
That there was no disposition ON the part
of the administration to evade the law. and
declared that the Republican party had
maintained that it ought to be the purpose
or the government to maintain the gold and
silver money of the country at a parity
Mr.. Tillman asked Mr. Allison whether
ne would say in terms that the bond obIiga-
ions OF the government were payable in
silver
In reply Mr. Allison quoted the law. that
bonds War IL,
was not satisfactory to Mr. Tiiman. who
insisted upon an answer, yes or no. Mr..
Aills9n declined to have words put into his
mouth. In response to a question of Mr..
Teller, Mr.. Allison said he thought it would
De proper for the secretary of the treasury
10 pay the obligations of the government in
either silver or gold. But" declared Mr..
5AAison, the secretary of the treasury. if
ne IS an honest man. in reaching his deci-
sion as TO action upon that point, must
like ~ INTO consideration existing conditions,
one or which is that this government is
pledged TO maintain the gold and silver
currency of the country at parity
Mr. Allison thought il ii were the purpose
OF the advocates of the pending resolution
TO force a depreciation of one of the great
moneys OF the country they ought to avow
tnat purpose. lie maintained that if the OBJ
lects OF the silver advocates were carried
into effect Il would be impossible to main
tain the parity of gold and silver coin. "Tf
1 were assured. said he, THAT the resoln-
tioI would strengthen the credit of the
country, L should certainly vote for it and
Mr. Berry, in an extended speech de-
ciared that the pending resolution was pre-
clsely ne same that for which the sena-
tor from Iowa (Allson) voted twenty wears
ago; II II was not violation of public
Ialth then he maintained, it could not be
sucn now. One of the reasons why Mr.
Berry was DESTROYS of the passage of the
resolution was that ii would diSprove the
charge brought i'm 1896 that the Democra tic
dishonorab,e men
Mr. Aldrich asked: DO you desire to take
from the secretary of the treasury his dis
erection TO. pay government obligations in
either gold or silver?" Mr. Berry replied
Ihe trouble IS the secretary of the treas
uty mas turned over government option to
the bondholders."
Would the passage of this resolution by
the Senate and Hor Republicans operate
as instructions TO tlse. So retary of the treas
ury2" asked Mr.. Aldrich
IT would replied Mr.. Berry. But ] am
sdllsHeu IN view OF recent actions and
words Of the secretary of the treasury that
he would not obey the Instructions
SILVER CHEAPER NOW
Mr. Hale said that when the present law
Was put on the statute books silver was
about twice as valuable as it is now. and
Mr. Aldrich interjected to inquqire whether.
in view of the fall in the price of silver the
senator from Arkansas Berry believed the
government ought to take advantage OF its
creditors and pay them in the cheaper
metal
Mr.. Berry replied that he was as much
In favor of maintaining the honor of the
country as the senator from Rhode Island
put ne held that the bondholders ought to
De Wiling To live uD to their contract and
accept coin In payment
MI. Lodge said that il WAS well under
STOOD that the bond purchases were to be
pald IN goid, as they paid gold for the bonds
ana ne quoted from a speech of Mr.. Teller
showing that he CrelleT) had the same idea
Mr. Berry denied that there was such UNI
outstanding, and he would defy ANYBODY to
establish as fact that there was such. In
the course or his remarks. MIR. Berry said
the country had before IL the spectacle of a
secretary OF the treasury who wanted to re-
deem silver dollars In gold and firmly to
Iasten the gold standard on the country yet
the PRESIDENT had not the nerve 10 kick
nun out OF the Cabinet" In conclusions
Mr. Berry made an appeal for the passage
interest.
Mr.. Teller followed I'm an extended speech
II support OF the resolution. He declared
that Is was question of law which ne
would endeavor TO discuss
Well. inquired Mr. Foraker. does this
resolution mean the same now as it meant
twenty years ago2''
Being q question of law replied Mr..
Teller. Ii can mean nothing else"
But was not the resolution Of twenty
years ago, persisted Mr. Foraker s'passed
% Get state Of affairs existing then that
does not now existys
Not at ali. replied tae Colorado senator
40 man could then have known what