Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-31
HOUSE.

Washington, Jan. 31.-There was a
great deal of activity among the lead
ers on both sides before the House
met today in anticipation of very ex-
citing debate over the Teller resolution
declaring the bonds of the United
States payable in gold or silver at the
option of the government. which those
in control had decided to defeat be-
fore shutdown tonight. The members
on both sides had been notified in ad
vance, and the attendance on the floor
was very large. The struggle opened
Immediately after the reading of the
journal, when Mr.. Dingley (2ep., Me-
chairman of the means and ways com
mittee. reported back the resolution
with the recommendation that II do
not pass"
Mr.. Henderson (Reps.ffa-). one OF the
leaders of the majority. followed this
by presenting the special order agreed
on by the committees on rules for the
immediate consideration of the resolu-
ton. The rule was as follows:
Resolved, that Immediately upon
the adoption of this resolution the
House shall proceed to the considera-
ton of the Senate concurrent resolu-
ton No. % (Teller resolution) that gem
eral debate shall be had thereon until
the hour of o'clock. at which time
without any intervening motion a vote
shall be taken upon the passage of said
resolution. General leave to print upon
the subject of said resolution for five
days from this date is hereby grant
ed"
Mr.. Henderson yielded n moment to
Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader, who
said that while the minority strenuous
ly opposed the undue limitation of the
debate proposed by the rule, still, as
his side desired as much time as pos
sible for debate, they would not con-
sumo any OF the time allowed on a roll
call.
Mr.. Wheeler tDem.. Ala.) and Mr..
Dearmond Dem., MOI protested vigor-
ously, however, and the latter said IL
he had an opportunity he would have
proposed a Cuban bellgerency amend
ment.
To this suggestion Speaker Reed re-
torted CURLY that 1t would not be In or
der and when Mr.. Dearmond appealed
to him not to decide the question hasti-
ly, the Speaker. exclaimedi THAT It Is
not in order is too plain for argument.
During this colloquy there were eyi-
dences of disturbance and excitement
on the Republican side. of which Mr.
Johnson Rep., Ind.) was the center. AT
last Mr.. johnson insisted upon asking
n question of Mr. Henderson. He want
ed to know with much emphasis
whether 1t was true that all the time
was to be consumed by the members
OF the ways and means committee.
There is no such proposition" called
out Mr.. Dalzell (Rep., Pal. Mr. John
son did not subside, and continued to
protest, declaring loudly that he an
tagonized this rule II such was the in
tention. He had wordy war with
Mr.. Dingley, but in tone that could
not be heard in the confusion. The
speaker cut off further Incident by nut
ting the question, and the rule was
adopted, 143 to lis, the Democrats re-
Training from demanding a roll-cnll.
division of time.
To suggestions that time should be
divided between Democrats. Populists
ana Republicans. Mr.. Dingley retorted:
u was not aware that there was any
distinction between the Populists and
Democrats ms Mt present constituted"
He said time would be equally divided
between those for and against the reso-
luton.
Mr.. Dingley then opened the debate
IN opposition to the resolution. The
pending resolution. he said, was one
which. II passed by both houses, would
have no force. If passed IT would only be
only an expression of the two houses.
Its. importance, therefore" con-
tlnued Mr.. Dingley, lies in the fact
that II concurred in by the House. II
would legitimately ana Inevitably he
regarded here. by the world, as an ex-
a majority OF the American people as n
standard of honor and good faith In the
discharge not only Of national but also
of private obligations.
This resolution is not presented for
the purpose of securing an expression
ny congress ms to the power of the
government either MS to the payment
OF It's obligations. or ms to what may
be declared legal tender. No one de-.
MES that this or any other nation has
the power to pay in gold or silver. or
or paper. or copper, according TO their
pleasure. Payment cannot be enforced
against a sovereign nation. Its oblica-
tions are measured by its own sense Of
honor and good faith. The intelIicent
seliishness of a nation which is to live
not simply for generation hut Tor
centuries. ought to lead it-and whenever
a nation Is wisely governed does lead n
80 scrupulously as to maintain lis
pledgea In both letter and snirit "a Il