Evening star., 1898-01-26
RIGHT TO PAY SILVER
Warm Discussion of the Teller Reso-
luton.
MANYSENArORS EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS
Conditions Claimed to Be Unlike
Those of 1878.
MIR. LODGES AMENDMENT

The Senate debate yesterday afternoon
over the Teller resolution declaring that the
bonds of the government could be right
fully paid in silver or gold. proved to be
very interesting when half a dozen OF the
leading members of the Senate entered
contest that called out very strong Ian
guage at times.
After The Stars report Of the Senate pro-
ceedings closed, Mr.. Allison reviewed the
history of the Stanley Matthews resolution,
maintaining that its passage at that time
was not in opposition to public interest or
in derogation Of the rights of the public
creditors. He held that now the situation
was quite different.
Mr.. Teller called Mr.. Allison's attention
to what he said was the present condition.
He maintained that coinage of silver had
not been restored and no suver dollars were
being coined
Mr.. Allison replied that 100000. 600 of sill
yer dollars had been coined since '73 and
that they were as good gold.
Mr.. Teller again interrupted to say that
the present administration would not use
any of the silver dollars to pay the obliga-
tions of the government
Mr.. Allison insisted that the pending reso-
luton gave the Secretary of the Treasury
no more authority under the law than he
now has. The Secretary may now pay
government obligations in coin. He held
that there was no disposition on the part
of the administration to evade the law, and
declared that the republican party had
maintained that it ought to be the purpose
of the government to maintain the gold and
silver money of the country at a parity
Mr.. Tillman asked Mr.. Allison whether
he would say in terms that the bond obli-
cations Of the government were payable
in silver.
(. In reply, Mr.. Allison quoted the law. that
the bonds were payable in coin; but that
was not satisfactory to Mr.. Tillman, who
insisted upon an answer, yes or no.
Paying Government Obligations.
Mr.. Allison declined to have words put
into his mouth. In response to a question
of Mr.. Teller. Mr. Allison said he thought
1t would be proper for the Secretary of the
Treasury to pay the obligations of the gov
ernment in either silver or gold but" de-
clared Mr.. Allison, 1.-The Secretary of the
Treasury, if he is an honest man, in reach
ing his decision to action upon that
point. must take into consideration existing
conditions, one of which is that this gov
ernment is pledged to maintain the gold
and silver currency of the country at
parity"
of the advocates of the pending resolution
to force a depreciation of one of the great
moneys of the country they ought to avow
that purpose. He maintained that if the
objects of the silver advocates were car
ried into effect it would be impossible to
maintain the parity of gold and silver coin.
Mr.. Allison thought the resolution ought
not to be passed, because it could have
only the effect of minimizing the credit of
the United States. IF 1 were assured
said he, that the resolution would
strengthen the credit of the country
should certainly vote for it and otherwise
give it my support"
Mr.. Teller asked Mr.. Allison whether
the last statement in the pending resoiu-
ton was true-that is. ito restore to its
coinage such silver coins as a legal tender
interest is not in violation of the public
faith, nor in derogation of the rights of
the public creditor
1T is not true in two respects" replied
Mr.. Allison. I'VE have restored the silver
dollar in the first place and in the second.
the silver dollar is legal TENDER
Mr.. Hale (Me) said that when the pres
ent law was put on the statute books the
silver was about twice valuable as il
is now, and Mr.. Aldrich interjected TO
inquire whether in view of the fall in the
price of silver the senator from Arkansas
Derry believed the government ought to
take advantage of Its creditors and pay
them in the cheaper metal.
Mr.. Berry replied that he was much
in favor of maintaining the honor of the
country as the senator from Rhode Is
land but he held that the bondholdcrs
ought to be willing to live up to their con-
tract and accept coin in payment.
Mr.. Lodge NIass.) said that il was well
understood tnat the bond purcha ses were
to be paid in gold, as they paid gold for
the bonds, and he quoted from Speech of
Mr.. Teller, showing that he CTeller) had
the same idea
Mr.. Teller Speaks.
Mr. Teller (Col.) followed in an extended
speech in support of the resolution. He
declared that it was a question of law
which he would endeavor so to discuss.
"WeH,'' inquired Mr.. Foraker (Ohio),
does this resolution mean the same now
that it meant twenty years ago?"
Being question of law, replied Mr.
Teller. 1T can mean nothing else
But was not the resolution of twenty
years ago." persisted Mr.. Foraker. pass
ed to meet state of affairs existing then
that does not now exist?"
Not at ALL" replied the Colorado sena-
tor. No man could then have known
what financial legislation Congress would
to vote for free coinage, and 1t binds no
man now so to vote"
Mr. Hoar dissented from Mr.. Teller's
proposition that this resolution involved
had come now to a question of honor
This is not a question of law said he
1T is a question of the violation of the
public faith. Shylock," continued Mr.
while. but nobody supposed that Shylock
without derogation of the rights of An
tonic could take that pound of fiesh.''
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. "Sit
down. cried the Colorado senator; 1--WE
been badgered enough"
AS Mr.. Fairbanks sat down Mr.. Teller
said he would on the following day an
swer the question, but he did not then de-
sire to be interrupted.
''The National Treasury Robbed"
Mr.. Teller declared, in conclusion, that
he had seen the national treasury robbed
"a transaction the most disgraceful ever
accomplished by national administration
In view Of that fact he thought that the
arrogatior to themselves by the opponents
Of the resolution OF all honesty was not
warranted by the facts.
Mr.. Hoar replied to Mr.. Teller in a
speech. in which he deplored the remark
able effort" of the Colorado senator. He
contended that the question was not one
of legal power. but of honor and good
faith. He would not say that the sena-
tor from Colorado ha6 ''squirmed" out OF