The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-26
Acrimonious Words Over The Teller
Bond Resolution
SENATORS JEALOUS OF The COUNIRY'S HONOR
Colorado Senator Resents tho As
sumption That tho East Enjoys n
Monopoly of yirtue-The House
Discusses ihe VI Mckinley Prosperity
Wave.
Washington, Jan. 25, 1898.

O-Qay session OIL the Sendle was
characterized by a heated, almost acri-
tmonious discussion of the financial
question. For nearly four hours the
Teller resolution was under consdera-
tion, the principal speeches being made
by Mr.. Allison, of Iowa; Mr.. Berry, Of
Arkansas, and Mr.. Hoar of Massachu-
sets. The sharpest colloquy was at
times indulged in between the advo-
cafes and the opponents OF the reso-
luton.
Mir. Butler, of North Carolina, offered
an amandment to the postofficc appro-
priatlon bill providing for an extension
Of the experiment of rural free deliv-
cry to every State and territory Of the
Union and to as many sections of those
States and territories as possible. The
amendment appropriated s250,000 to
cover the expense of the proposed eX
tension. Mr.. Butler spoke briefly in
support of the amendment, saying that
1t had been drawn after full consulta-
ton with the Postmaster General.
The pension appropriation bill was
passed after q number of amendments
offered by Mr. Allen had been defeated.
The Teller resolution was laid before
the Senate. Mr.. Allison claimed that the
3 If-..tt, 3;c -olutioB gavev'the Secretary
of the Trea sury no more authority under
the law than he now has. The Secre-
7tary may now pay government obliga-
tions in coin. Mr.. Allison thought If
1t were the purpose of the advocates of
the pending reE2lution to force a de-
probation Of one OF the great moneys
of the country they ought to avow that
purpose.
Mr.. Teller asked Mr.. Allison whether
the last statement in the pending reso-
tuition was true-ihat is Ito restore to
liz coinage such silver coins as legal
tender in payment of said bonds, prin-
cipal and interest. is not in violation of
the public faith nor in dcrogation of the
rights of the public creditor"
1T Is not right in two respects" re-
piled Mr.. Allison. 1--WE have restored
the silver dollar In the first place and
In the second. that the silver dollar is
n legal tender
Mr.. Berry Oem., of Arkansas in an
extended speech declared that the pend
ing resolution was precisely the same
aa that for which the Senator from
Iowa (All:son) voted twenty years ago.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine. said that when the
books the silver was about twice as val
uahlc as it ia now. Mr. Aldrich inter
joctcd to inquire whether in view of the
fall in the price of silver, the Senator
from Arkansas U3erry) believed the
government ought to take advantage
of It's 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, but he held that the bondhold-
crs ought to be willing to live up to
their contract and accept coin in pay
ment
Mr.. Lodge, Of Ma ssa chu setts said
that It was well understood that the
bond purchasers were to be paid in
gold as they paid gold for the bonds,
and he quoted from a speech of Mr.
Teller showing that he Crellcr) had the
same idea.
Mr.. Berry denied that there was such
understanding and he would defy any
body to establish as a fact that there
was such.
In the course Of his remarks MT.
Berry said that the country had before
1t the spectacle of Secretary Of the
Trea sHry who wanted to redeem silver
dollars In gold and firmly to fasten the
gold standard upon the country, yet the
President had not the nerve ito kick
him 'out of the Cabinet"
Mr.. Teller of Colorado, followed in an
extended speech in favor of the resolu-
tion.
Nr. Hoar lissented from Mr. Teller's
proposition that this resolution involved
only n question of law and urged that
+ 1t had now come to a question of honor
"This is no: a question of law" he
Gaid.
Mr.. Teller contended that he had
quite as much regard for the national
honor as had other members OF the
Senate. II am getting tired" shouted
Mr.. Teller. "of the position assumed by
certain Senators here because they live
in the Eastern part of this country.
They are no more honest, they are no
more strenuous in upholding the pub
lie honor than am. want to say here
and now that ] believe In paying the
debts Of the government in silver even
If that is The cheaper metal.
THE Secretary of the Treasury is now
hound by law to regard the interests
of the people, but that Department has
been making laws to suit itself for
twenty years"
Mr.. Teller held that there could be no
degradation in paying the debts Of the
government In silver
Mr.. Fairbanks arose and endeavored
to PROFOUND a question to Mr.. Teller.