Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-18
CURRENCY DEBATE CLOSED
Exciting Scenes in the House Saturday
Afternoon.
Republicans Taunt Democrats With
Abandoning Free silver and Are
Met With Denials.

An exciting scene was Witnessed IN the
House Saturday afternoon at the close Of
the six days debate on the currency bill.
Mr.. Grosvenor Iohio) obtained the floor
for five minutes, which he occupied in
haunting the democrats for their evident
During the six days debate, he said, the
House had heard no arguments for free
silver and he humorously hailed it as a
sign of the coming regeneration of the
party. In conclusion he said that out Of
the debate had come the settled convic
ton ON both sides of the House that the
enactment of the pending measure would
PUT into law the policy which had governed
and guided the country for nearly thirty
years.
Mr. Richards indignantly denied Mr.. Gros-
venor's assertion of the proposed abandon
mel1t of the issue of free silver. He said
that if the gentleman from Ohio had fol-
lowed the debate he must have heard some
strong speeches in favor of free silver. he
called attention to the fact that but one
section of the bill had been read, and charg-
ed that the special order, which did not
permit the offering of substitute or
motion to recommit, had been framed for
the especial purpose of preventing the Of
fering of free silver substitute.
Does the gentleman desire to offer such
a substitute?' asked Mr.. Overstreet Und.).
The rule was framed to prevent one
from doing so and the debate has been de-
l:berately conducted with the same end in
view responded Mr.. Richardson.
The republicans laughed derisively as Mr..
Richardson went on to characterize Mr..
Grosvenor's covert charge as cheap at
tempt at political capital, which was be-
meath the dignity of a great party. He in
Weighed against the hypocrisy of the other
side.
"You tied our hands, said he, "fn the
beginning. This bill is a bill to establish
the gold standard and break down bimetal-
Nf.a FREQ 70
rot involved"
Then Mr. Dalzen Pa) took the floor,
and in half minute the House was in a
Juror He pointed out that any democrat
could have demanded the reading of the
bill and, referring to Mr.. Richardson's
charge of hypocrisy, he walked the echoes
as he said: Il hurl back the charge. You
do not dare he shouted, shaking his finger
deffantly at the other side, mot one of you
dares or would dare if you had the oppor-
tunity, to offer free coinage amendment
and risk vote upon it. No gentleman on
the other side is so much a leader that he
would dare expect to rally his cohorts upon
that proposition,
a dozen democrats jumped to their feet
as Mr.. DalZell concluded.
Mr.. Bailey, Mr.. Richardson. Mr.. sulzer
IN. ", Mr.. Williams tMiss.), were all
clamoring for recognition, but Mr.. Hepburn
Qa), who was in the chair, recognized Mr..
Dolliver.
The Iowan looked across the aisle when
order had been restored. Before begin"
said he. blandly, II will agree to yield the
floor if any gentleman on the other side
desires to offer free coinage amendment.
Democrats Want the Floor.
Almost half the democratic side seemed
to rise en- masse. Mr.. Bailey was foremost.
Il ask it," he called; Il ask it, 1 ask it."
shouted others, amid wild cheers on the
democratic side. Dozens of us ask the
privilege" cried Mr. Williams. I'VE chaI-
lenge Won for the ODDOrtuDity''
Brushing down one of the side aisles
came Mr. briggs On. ", shouting, Il OBJ
ject l object
Does the gentleman want any further
evidence?" called Mr.. Williams.
The confusion was indescriba BILE Mr..
Hepburn pounded with his gavel, while the
republtcaqs seemed to be enjoying the
scene OF dfscord Mr.: DoIliver had aroused.
When order was restored Mr.. Deliver
yielded to Mr.. Bailey, who preferred re-
quest for unanimous consent. The gentle.
man from Texas said Mr.. Hepburn from
the chair. well knows that in committee it
is not competent to entertain a request TO
change the order under which the House
is operating"
The Committee Rises.
Your bluff is called" shouted Mr.. Will
liams, his index finger pointing at Mr.. Dol
liver. while the democrats cheered Justify.
Meantime the hour of ) o'clock arrived
and the committee rose and reported the
bill to the House without amendment.
Mr.. LentZ (Ohio) asked whether it would
be in order for him to ask unanimous con-
sent to offer an amendment to the tenth
section. to provide that any individual, as
well as a bank, might deposit bonds with
the treasury and receive their par value in
currency. To this the Speaker replied in
the negative.
Thereupon Mr.. Oyerstreet asked unani-
nous consent that the special order under
which the House was operating be SO
amended as to allow substitute providing
for the free coinage OF silver at 10 to ] to
be offered. Instantly Mr.. briggs NYD,
who had not relinquished his position on
the right Of the chair, shouted II object"
Mr.. Levy On. W, from the rear of the hall,
also objected.
objection is made, announced the
Speaker. amid Shrek Of republican laugh
ter. The House was then at sos o. clock
declared adjourned, under the terms of the
special order.