Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-12-21
thursday, DECEMBER q, 1899.
currency DEBATE CLOSES
The Long Talk Ends in a SEN
sational Manner.
ARGUMENTS WAX WARM.

what Excited - Vote viii be Taken
on Currency Measure Without Any
Amendments Having Been Offered.
House in an Uproar.
Washington, Dec. 19.-The six days
debate upon the Currency bill closed in
a sensational manner. The Republi-
can leaders had evidently set trap for
the minority to show that discord ex-
listed on the money question, and 1t was
timed so as to make the scene as dra-
matte as possible.
Mr.. Richardson and his lieutenants
had canvassed their side of the house
to learn if any one contemplated offer
ing free silver amendment. They
found that Mr.. Suzer of New York,
had an amendment already drawn. and
intended to get it before the House If
possible. Mr. Richardson labored with
him, and Mr. Sulzer finally agreed, as
a personal favor, not to offer it.
Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio taunted the
Democrats later in the day with not
having had the courage to offer free
silver amendment.
Mr.. Richardson promptly charged the
Republicans with having made it i'm
possible to offer such an amendment
under their special order, and Mr.. Dali
zell, of Pennsylvania defied any Demo-
crat to offer a free coinage amend
ment.
Mr.. Dolliver, of Iowa, who next took
the floor offered to yield to any Demo-
crat who would ask unanimous consent
to offer a free coinage amendment, and
MIR. Bailey sprang up and shouted, Il
ask unanimous consent to offer an
amendment providing for the free and
unlimited coinage OF silver at the ra-
ito of sixteen to one"
The House was Immediately in an
uproar. The Democrats applauded and
cheered Mr.. Bailey until it looked as If
the Texan had by Il single bold stroke
snatched the leadership away from
Mr.. Richardson.
In the midst of the confusion Mr..
Sulzer. apparently forgetting his prom
Use to Mr.. Richardson, ran down the
aisle, shouting, Il call the Republican
bluff. | offer the amendment"
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, chairman of
the Committee of the Whole, cut him
off by ruling that Mr.. Bailey's request
was not in order in the Committee of
the Whole, and the Democrats jeered
and shouted to the Republicans that
they well knew how the chairman
would rule when they made their bluff.
1t was soon the turn of the Republic
cans to jeer, however for as soon as
the Committee of the Whole rose and
reported the bill to the House, Mr.
Overstreet, of Indiana. asked unani-
nous consent to so amend the special
order as to allow the offering of a free
coinage amendment. Republicans and
silver Democrats joined in applause,
and Mr. SulZer was again ready to
offer his amendment, when Mr.. briggs
got his party out of the awkward po-
ition by shouting: When the Greeks
offer gifts. Mr. Speaker I object"
His single objection blocked the way
for unanimous consent, and the House
adjourned.
Democratic members of the New
York delegation were the centre of in
terest on the closing day of the de-
bate. All the bolters will stand firm
and will vote with the Republicans in
favor of the bill. Messrs. Levy, Fitz-
gerald and Wilson spoke in favor of
the measure, while Mr. Glynn. who had
previously declined to commit himself,
took a stand in opposition to the bill.
The debate was enlivened by bout
between Mr.. Brown, of Ohio, and Mr..
Clark, of Missouri. The former resent
ed what he regarded as slight put up
on the memory of the late President
Hayes in some remarks made by Mr..
Clark.
In reply Mr.. Clark declared that Mr..
Hayes was a counterfeit President"
for whom he had a supreme contempt,
even though he was dead. He stole
the Presidency" said Mr.. Clark-"the
greatest crime in the tide of times.
wish he could have lived forever and
borne the scorn of decent men to the
| end of the world. His sepulchre should
| bear the words, This man was guilty
| of the monumental crime against hu-
+, man liberty
Mr.. Clark's words were received in
| silence on both sides of the House
MIR. Ientz. of Ohio, charged that the
| pending bill had been prepared by $500
| national banks, secret combination
that welded more influence than the
| Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows
| and the Red Men combined.
I'VE are in favor of renominatina
William Jennings Bryan" said Mr.
| I.entz, land we will put in a plank
against trusts. we will put in plank
against imperialism, and we will pu
/ in plank against the British alliance
an alliance that is now open and ap
| parent. They are now shooting dowr
liberty in South Africa, while you ar,
shooting it down in the Philippine Isl
ands. That is evidence sufficient tha
both governments are operating upoI
parallel lines.
1.-The first blossom of liberty in tn,
Orient to be cut off by the Republican
party of the United States, the frs
substantial struggle for liberty il
Africa to be moved down in its infanc.
by the Queen of England, with TIL,
Gar asking for a peace conference.
IF things are not inside out, how cal
the Republican party stand impoten