The record-union., 1898-01-26

Hale of Maine said when the present
law was put in the statute books that
silver was about twice as valuable as
it is now, and Aldrich interjected the
inquiry whether, in view of the fall i'll
the price of silver, the Senator from
Arkansas Derry believed the Govern
n1ent ought to take advantage of its
creditors and pay him in the cheaper
money.
Berry replied that lie was as much
in favor of maintaining the honor of
the country as the Senator from Rho1e
Island, but he held that the bond
holders ought to be willing to live up
to their contract and accept coin in
payment.
Teller followed in an extended speech
in favor of the resolution. He declared
II was a question Of law which he
would discuss
Well, inquired Foraker, docs this
resolution mean the same now as il
did twenty years ago."
Being question of law" replied
Teller, 1T can mean nothing else
But was not the resolution of twen-
ty years ago." persisted Foraker, pass
ed to meet state of affairs existing
then that does not now exist?"
Not at ALL replied the Colorado
Senator. mo man could then have
knowl what financial legislation Con-
gress would enact. The resolution then
bound no man to vote for free coinage,
and it binds no man now to so vote
Hoar dissented from Teller's propa-
sltion that this resolution involved a
question of law, and urged that it cam
now 10 question of honor.
L am getting tired shouted 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 siren
uous in upholding the public honor than
l am. 1 want to say here and now
that l believe in paying the debts of
the Government in silver. even if thai
is the cheaper metal. The Government
has the right to the difference accord
ing TO its contract. The silver dollar
which the gentleman from Iowa CAL
lison) says is not as good as the gold
dollar is paid to the mechanic, the ar
tisan and laborer in liquidation of OBJ
legations incurred with them, and |
nod that the bond purchaser is no bet
ter than the man with the blistared
hands, and ought to be paid in the
same money. The Secretary Of the
Treasury is now bound by law to re-
gard the interests of the people. but
that department has been making laws
to suit itself for twenty years"
Teller held that there could be no
degradation in paying the bills of th
Government in silver.
Fairbanks arose and endeayored to
propose question to Teller
Sit down." cried the Colorado S n
ator, I've been badgered enough
AS Fairbanks sat down. Teller said
he would answer tomorrow the oues-
ton, but he did not desire to be inter,
rupted now.
Hoar replied to Teller in a speech
which he depiored the remarkable e1-
fort of the Colorado Senator. He con-
tended that the question was not one
of legal power, but OF honor and good
faith. He would not say that the
Senator from Colorado had ''squirmed''
out of the question. nor would he or
der him to sit down." as he had or
dered the Senator from Indiana
Teller will strike that cut Of my
speech.
IF l were the Senator" said Hoar,
Il would have the entire speech strick-
en- from the record
Hale of Maine declared that the de-
bate during the day had settled the
fact that it was the desire OF the ad-
vocates of the resolution to bring the
country to a silver basis, and to make
the payment of all debts public and pri
T.,
less than half what gold is worth He
was willing, he said to have the peo-
pie of the country pass upon that prop
ositicn.
Vest of Missouri insisted that the
Maine Senator's remarks had placed the
advocates CT the resolution in a false
light. we are not monometallists .
said he. but bimetallists.'
Allison asked Vest whether he
thought the Bland-Allson Act in SUBJ
stantial compliance with the concur
rent resolutions of twenty years ago.
This is no financial kindergarten -
said Vest The Senator from Iowa
ought to know what the Bland Allison
Act meant, because he framed it him
self
II want an answer to my question, -
said Allison, and if it requires q finan-
cial kindergarten to obtain an answer
! would like to have the Senator from
Missouri open such a school now"
The Senate then at 5:45 adjourned.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON. Jan. '25.-Under the
parliamentary fiction Of discussing the
Indian appropriation bill. the House de-
voted almost the entire day to a po-
litical debate in which the main ques-
ton was whether prosperity had come
to the country, as a result Of the ad-
vent Of the present administration.
As speeches were limited TO FIVE min
utes many members participated, and
partisan spirit kept the interest keyed
up 10 high pitch The acrimony which
usually characterizes such debates was
almost entirely absent. and although
gcod-n2tured. some hard knocks were
given and received Smith, the Dele
gate from Arizona. made an attack on
the system CT educating the Indians,
and Walker moved to strike out the
appropriation for the Carlisle School.
The House consumed considerable of
the afternoon irs a discussion Of the in
dustrial conditions. Republicans affirm
ing and Democrats denying that pros
perity had returned.
Richardson CD Of Tennessee adduced
some figures and financial authorities
to prove that prosperity had not yet
appeared.
If prosperity has not returned. ;"
asked Stone CR) OF Pennsylvania,
now does ii happen that in all the in
dustrial region men are employed. and
that they are not supported by charity.