The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-04

~ ~4As AA& CessE NA<
last clause ot the resolution was in
reality a disguised declaration for h
free cOfiEe Of silver, while the assault
ing democrats, under the direction Of
Mr.. Bailey. maintained thai the defeat
Of the resolution was another step in
the direction Of Che establishment of
the gold standard, TO wlich they al
legged III the president and Secretary
Gage had i~rreyocahdy committed the
republican party The DEBATE was at
times fast and heated, but there were
no sensational incidents beyond the
Kissing Of Mr.. Rhea, Of Kentucky,
when he said that as n author OF
the crime OF '73," the hottest place in
ha1s would be reserved for the pres
ent secretary of state. Tbs vote on the
resolution was-ayes, 1872; nays, 1S2.
The struggle opened Immediately af-
ter the reading Of the journal when
Mr.. DingIey- republican, of Maine,
chairman OF the ways Il COM
nittee. reported back the Restitution
with the recommendation nat 1T do
not pass"
Mr.. Henderson, republican. of Iowa,
of the leaders of the majority, fol-
lowed this by presenting n special
order agreed upon by the
on rules, providing for the Immediate
consideration of the resolution and a
vote without intervening motion at 5
O'Clock today. The order was adopted
and without any agreement as to the
division of the time, the speaker re-
cOgnized Mr.. Cinotey, VITO opened the
debate in opposition to the resolution.
Contrary to his usual custom, Mr..
Dinghy read his carefully prepared
argument from manuscript. The in
tense interest in his u~tteTances caused
the democratic side of the chamber TO
be deserted by members VINO crowded
the aisRes around the speaker in the
effort TO catch every word that fell
from his lips. His party associates ap-
plauded him frequently.
Mr.. Bland created great applause on
the democratic side by reading from
the record the vote of Messrs. Hopkins,
GrOSVenCr and other prominent repub-
Leans against the bill to pay the bonds
of the United States in gold which was
voted upon in the last Ongre at the
time the last administration negotiated
the $3.50, 900, 600 loan.
Mr.. Swanson, democrat, of Virginia,
in support of the resolution, contended
hat it was not a violation of the faith
and honor of the government to pay
our bonds, principal and interest in sIl-
Yer. Mr.. Swanson declared that the eff
feet of defeating this resolution would
be to serve notice to the o holders
that they would be paid only in gold,
WheTeupon they would have no further
interest in silver and the present parity
would be destroyed.
Mr.. Clayton, democrat, of Alabama,
asserted that the defeat of this resolu-
ton was dictated by the masters of the
republican party who gathered at a
New York banquet table the other
night at 500 a plate, which meant, at
Alabama Standards, that every man
ate a bale of cotton and a couple OF
mules.
Mr.. GrOsvenor, republican, OF Ohio,
a member of the ways and means COM
mittee, in opposition to the resolution,
said throughout all the changes and
mutations of the money question in
this country, the republican party had
maintained its unvarying devotion to
what was denOminated homes mon
ey."
MI. Pearson, republican, of North
Carolina, said he would vote for the
resolution if the latter clause were
omitted. He was committed to the coin
age of Silver to the extent that it could
be kept at parity With gold.
Mr.. Cannon, republican, OF Illinois,
whose record had been attacked dur
ing the debate, SAID in speaking of his
former votes for free coinage n for
the Matthews resolution that the diff
ference between silver and gold then
was but a few cents; it was now so
cents. The republican party had all
ways been for honest sOun money; the
democratic party since the wegr for
cheap, unsOund money.
MI. Bailey, owing to the great pres
sure for time, had only four minutes
in which to close the debate for his
side. The resolution under cOnSidera-
ton he said, contained two PROPOSE
tons, one moral and the other legal.
One asserts, as a matter of law, that
the bonds of the United States are re-
deema(ble at the option of the govern
n3ent in silver and the other as a mat
ter morals, thai to restore to its coin
age such silver coins as q legal tender
in payment OF the bonds. principal and
interest, is not in violation of the pub
lie faith nor in d~erOgation of the rights
of the public creditor. He would not
dwell, he said, on the legal aspect of
the question. There was not a lawyer
in the United States nor n other
country who would venture ON his
professional reputation Ito deny that
the bonds could be paid in silver. That
went without saying. The republicans
in this matter must justify themselves.
If at all, upon the proposition that in
their consciences they believe that
gold was h money of the contract.
DO ONE of you believe" said he. adj
dressing the republicans, that if the
bond holder owed the government un-
der a similar contract hat he would
not exercise his option. If it is fright
that he should exercise his option, as
he would, we believe the government
has the same right, With their posi-
tons reversed. We are ready TO meet
you on this issue-the issue that the
money which is good enough for the
people who produce the wealth is good
enough for the idlers who spend 1T; that
the money which is good enough for the
poor rs good enough for the rich; that
he money the laborer receives for his
toll and the merchant for his wares is
good enough for the bond holder, and
by the Eternal he Shall be compelled
To toIya II