The herald., 1898-01-27
SIX HOURS
OF DEBATE
Given to TeIler'S Silver
Resolution
BEFORE ADJOURNMENT TODAY
THE QUESTION WILL BE PUT TO
A VOTE
BEFORE ADJOURNMENT TODAY
Indian Bill Comes UP in the House.
Mail Matters Prove More
Interesting
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-For more
discussion the Teller resolution provid-
ing that the government pay the prin-
cipal and interest of the bonds of the
United States in silver. BY agreement
the resolution amendments are to be
voted on before adjournment tomorrow.
The debate was devoid of sensational
incidents and acrimonious colloquies
which characterized that of yesterday,
but it was replete with arguments and
oratory. The time was consumed by
Mr.. Teller, Silver Republican, Colorado,
and Mr.. Daniel, Democrat, Virginia,
who supported the resolution, and Mr..
Hoar, Republican, Massachusetts, and
Mr.. Platt, Republican, Connecticut, in
opposition to it. All delivered set
speeches except Mr.. Hoar. whose speech
was in reply to some points advanced
by Mr.. Teller yesterday.
At the opening of the senate. Hale of
Maine presented the report of the con-
ferees on the Urgent Deficiency Appro-
priation Bill, and the report was agreed
to.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire Sc
cured the adoption of resolution calling
| upon the Attorney General for report
as to whether there have been recent
violations of the Constitution in Louis
! lana by the exclusion from service on
juries in the United States of duly quail
fled citizens on account of color.
Upon motion of Mr.. Vest of Missouri
the Senate took up the Teller resolution
The debate was opened by Mr.. Teller of
Colorado, the author of the resolution
He said he would permit no man to ex-
eel him in honor or good faith.
II would do nothing" he said, "that
would bring about such a condition of
affairs as would be disgraceful, what
ever the opinion of the Senator from
Massachusetts (Mr. Eoar), may be OF
my opinions or convictions. The Massa-
chusetts Senator tried to make it ap-
pear that my position was on parallel
with the making of ten-dollar piece out
of copper cent. Such proposition
do not advance and l do not think it
would find much support in this or any
other legislative body"
Mr. Teller said he was willing to re-
tire from public life if, by so doing he
could bring about an international bi-
metallic agreement. He maintained that
the existing contract concerning the
money in which the bonds of the United
States were payable could not be
changed without action-and that the
government had a right to all the ad
vantages the contract afforded it.
MIR. Fairbanks asked Mr. Teller
whether the present secretary of the
treasury was now paying out only gold
in liquidation of the bonded obligations
of the government.
Il do not know" replied Mr.. Teller,
what the secretary of the treasury is
doing. My relations with the present
administration are not such as to en-
able me to obtain information of it's
acts"
Being further pressed by Mr.. Fair
banks, Mr.. Teller said his belief was
that the administration was paying the
interest on certain obligations of the
government, no such obligations them
selves having matured, in gold.
Il have absolute information" re-
torted Mr.. Fairbanks, that the admin
istration is paying the obligations | refer
to in legal tender notes. On January /,
S29 900 600 of bonds matured and am in
formed by the secretary of the treasury
that these bonds We're paid not in gold.
not in silver but in legal tender notes.
If that be So" said Mr.. Teller 1--WE
might as we'll discontinue this debate
and take a vote upon the pending reso-
luton now
The point had been reached, thought
Mr. Teller when an effort was being
made by the national administration to
put the country on a gold basis. He
thought there had been too much SOphiS-
try and evasion of the financial ques-
ton among those who discussed it dur
ing the past twenty years, and in his
opinion the time had arrived for all par
ties to walk squarely up to the cannon's
mouth of the question and deal fairly
and honestly with themselves and the
people.
In response to a statement by Mr..
Teller that $262 900, 900 of bonds were sold
for the purpose of maintaining the gold
standard, Mr.. Gear of Iowa. said it was
sold to meet a deficiency in the treasury.
The statement was fatty contradicted
by the Colorado senator. who maintained
that there was no necessity for the sale
of bonds to meet current expenses when
there was plenty of silver to meet press
ing obligations of the government.
Referring in the course of his remarks
to the presidential contest of &c. Mr..
Teller said that no political campaign in
this country had ever been characterized
by so much bitterness, acrimony and
vindictiveness. He conceded the right,
he said, of others to differ from him
upon this and other questions, but he
held that he ought to be accorded the
same right and liberty, for the people,
not only of this country but of the world,
depended upon the rightful solution of
the financial question. He had a right
to speak here for the great masses of
the people, and he took advantage of it
because he felt that the fastening of The
gold standard upon the country would
simply make of the plain people heWcrs
of wood and drawers of water. In con-
cusion, after speaking about two
hours and half. Mr.. Teller replied to
some statements made yesterday con-
cerning savings banks.
At the conclusion of Mr. Teller's speech
Mr.. Lodge called attention to some
statements in criticism of an amend
ment offered by him Iodge) yesterday