The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-01
TELLER FALLS WITH A THUD.
HOUSE DEFEATS HIS REsOLUTIox
by a VOTE OF 1872 TO 1872.

silver at the Option of the Cow
ernment TO a speedy Death-strong
Efforts Made by the Leaders ON
Both Sides to Rally All Their FOI-
lowers for the Combat.
Washington jan 31.-There was great
deal of activity among the leaders on both
sides before the House met to-day in an
ticipatlon of an exciting debate over the
Teller resolution declaring the bonds OF
the United States payable in gold or sill
yer at the option Of the government, which
those in control had declared to defeat be-
fore sundown. The members on both sides
had been notified in advance and the at
tendance on the floor was very large.
The struggle opened Immediately after
the reading of the journal, when Mr..
Dngley, Rep. of Maine, chairman of the
ways and means committee, reported
back the resolution with the recommenda-
ton that 1t do not pass"
Nr. Henderson, Rep, of Iowa. one OF
the leaders of the majority, followed this
by presenting the special order agreed up
on by the committee on rules providing
for the immediate consideration OF the
resolution and a vote without intervening
motion at S o'clock to-day.
The rule was as follows: Resolved
that Immediately upon the adoption on
resolution the House shall proceed to con-
slider Senate concurrent resolution No. -
Creller resolution, that general debate
shall be had thereon until the hour of
O'Clock, at which time, without any inter-
vening motion, "a vote shall be taken upon
the passage of said resolution"
Mr.. Henderson yieeed moment to Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, who SAID
that while the minority strenuously OPP
posed the undue limitation of the debate
proposed by the rule, still as his side de-
sired as much time as possible for de-
bate they would not consume any OF the
time allowed on a roll call.
Mr.. Wheeler. Dem, OF Alabama, ana
Mr.. DeArmond of Missouri protested
vigorously, however and the latter said if
he had an opportunity he would propose
a Cuban belligerency amendment.
To this suggestion Speaker Reed re-
torted curtly that it would not be in or
der and when Mr.. DeArmond appealed
to him not to decide the question hastily,
the Speaker explained: 'That 1t is not in
order is too plain for argument"
During the colioquy there were evidences
of disturbance and excitement on the Re
publican side. of which Mr. Johnson,
hcp., OF Indiana, was the CENTER
At last Mr.. Johnson Insisted on asking
a question of Mr. Henderson. He wsated
TO know with much emphasis whether it
was true that all the time was to be con-
sumed by the members of the ways and
means committee.
There is no such proposition" called
out Mr.. Dalzell, Rep, of Pennsylvania,
but Mr.. Johnson did not subside and con-
tinued to protest, declaring loudly that
he antagonlzed this rule IL such was the
Intention. He had a wordy war with Mr..
Dlngley, but in a tone so low that It could
not be heard In the confusion. The
Speaker cut off further incident by put
ting the question and the rule was adopt
ed by a vote Of 143 10 115, the Democrats
restraining from demanding a roll call.
Then followed a controversy over the di-
vision of time. To suggestions that the
time should be divided between the Demo-
Gratis, Populists and Republicans, Mr..
Dingley retorted: II was not aware that
there was any distinction between the
Populists and Democrats as at present con-
stituted." He said the time would be equal
ly divided between those for and against
the resolution.
Mr.. Dingley then opened the debate in
opposition to the resolution. The pending
resolution was not one which If passed by
the House would have force. IL adopted it
would be only an expression Of opinion OF
the two Houses
Its Importance therefore," continued
Mr.. Dingley, "lles in the fact that If con-
Cured In by the House it would legiti-
mately and inevitably be regarded not only
here but by the world an expression Of
the deliberate judgment Of a majority OF
the American people as to their standard
OF honor and good faith in the discharge
not only of national, but of private obliga-
tions
This resolution is not presented for the
securing a m n hxy
gress as to the power OF the government,
either as to the payment of its obligations,
or as to what may be declared legal ten
der. No one denies that any other nation
has the power to Fay in gold or silver. or
paper or copper, according to its pleasure
Payment cannot be enforced against a
sovereign nation. It's obligations are meas
ured by Its own sense of honor and good
faith.
"The intelligent selfshness OF a nation
which Is to live not simply for genera
ton, but for centuries, ought to lead it,
and whenever a nation is wisely governed
does lead Tito scrupuously maintain its
pledge in both letter and spirit so as to
preserve It's credit untarnshed and there
by not only making 1t possible to borrow
at the lowest rate of interest, but also to
make It easy to obtain loans in exigencies
which are sooner or later to come to every
nation A nations honor and credit are
its title deed to permanence and prosper
lty.
''The sting and dishonor OF the pending
resolution Is in its tail. And that sting,
well nigh harmless twenty years ago un-
der conditions then existing is made dead
ly by the changed conditions of to-day.
The deadly tail of this resolution reads as
follows: That to restore to it's coinage
such silver coins as a legal tender In the
payment Of said bonds (meaning practic-
ally all Of the bonds of the United States
outstanding is not in violation of the pub
lie faith, nor In derogation of the rights OF
the public CREDITOR
r'The declarations of the movers and
supporters Of this resolution in the Senate
during its recent consideration In that
body throws a food of light on what is
meant now by the phrase, to restore to its
coinage such silver coins, a phrase which,
IN 1873 was with good reason interpreted
by many who supported similar resolu-
ton to mean something vitally different
from what 1t must mean now"
This brings me- proceeded Mr. Ding
ley, ito the consideration Of the vital
question as to whether the government
has the moral right In other words
whether il would be an act which the mo-
q "a. 49,.