The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-15
IN SHARP REPARTEE
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REP
RESENTATIVES TALK ON THE
FINANCIAL BILL
MCLEARY, OF MINNESOTA

Was One of the Leaders I'm the De-
bate-Made Himself the Target of
FusiIlade of Questions From
Democrats by Asserting That I'm
Century Not "a Silver Dollar Had
Been Coined on Private Account.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE debate
on the currency bill in the house today
was tame and prosaic. The attendance,
both in the galleries and on the floor
was light. and none of the speeches
made attracted especial attention.
Mr.. Sibley Dem, Pa, who has pub
licly announced his change OF views on
the mohey question and who it was
thought might vote for the bill, stated
that he would vote against 1t.
When Mr.. Sibey arose to speak much
interest was manifested, owing to the
report that he had changed his views
upon the silver question. Mr.. Sibley,
however, disappointed his audience He
had only risen to say that he proposed
to print his views in the Record. He
had been offered time by the Republi-
cans but as he had spoken against the
Republican candidates in twenty-seven
states IL 1896 he did not desire to accept
faVors at this hand. On the other hand,
he did not desire to embarrass Demo-
Gratis by accepting thirty-ive minutes
they had rendered him. He would vote
against the pending bill, he said. but he
did not entirely agree with the views
Of members upon the minority side.
Mr. Daily (Tenn) and Mr. Burke (Tex)
l~sIl
(Mass) and Mr.. OImstead PaD sup
ported it.
Mr. Terry (Ark) said the bill would
consummate the conspiracy of the gold
syndicate against the plain people The
Democrats in this fight stood against
corporate and banking greed.
Mr. Ball Crex) said that IN order to
support this bill almost every Republican
in public life had to recant the pro-
fessions Of a life time
Mr. McCleary (Minn) remarked upon
the change which had come over the
Democrats. In past congresses they al
ways had seemed eager and anxious to
offer a free silver proposition as sub
stitute for almost anything that hap
pened to be pending. During the de-
with a free silver substitute.
TART REPARTEE.
Mr. Cleary made himself the target
of fusillade of questions from the Dem
ocrats by asserting that during the
whole century not single silver dollar
has been coined on private account.
During a passag e-at-arms with Mr. Sui
Ger IN. " Mr.. McCleary said that Meth
er Mr.. Suffers father nor grandfather
had ever seen a silver dollar except as
curiosity.
and If you and your party associates
keep on" retorted Mr.. Sulzer, neither
will my grandchildren" Qaughter)
That depends upon the grandfather"
observed Mr. McCleary, amid renewed
laughter
Mr. Boutelle Oll) devoted considerable
time to showing that Jefferson and jack
son We're opposed to the present Demo-
cratic views of finance.
Mr.. Gilbert CKyD, in opposing this,
read q letter from the comptroller OF
the currency in answer to an inquiry
of his saying that the tax on capital,
surplus and circulation of national banks,
If the circulation were reduced to the
minimum under the pending bill, would
be $2,079,000 The total tax collected from
national banks last year was $3,7440O0.
Mr.. Berry (ky.) said If the Republt-
cans had declared for the present bill
when they got together to fool the people
in st. Louis, there would not be enough
Republicans In the country today to re-
turn a congressman. He said the bill
would yet unhorse the Republicans.
After some further remarks by Mr..
Lewis (Ga) Smith Q&y.) and Jet 0ll)
against the bill, and Mr.. Graft (Rep.,
Ill), for It, Mr.. Thayer Dem. Mass),
concluded the debate for the afternoon
with a ten-minute speech In favor of the
bill.