The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-15
DEBATE ON CURRENCY BILL.
ATTENDANCE WAS SLIM AND IN
TEREST is Tagging.


smiley. Democrat or Pennsylvania,
surprised Some of His Friends by
announcing That He Would Vote
Arafnst the BiII-A Massachusetts
Democrat Announced Himself in
It's FavOr-No Free Silver Substi-
tute Has Appeared.
washington. Dec. 1.-THE debate on the
currency bill in the House to-day was
tame and prosalc. The attendance. both
In the galleries and on the floor, was
u-bt. and none of the speeches made at
tr7cted especial attention.
Mr.. Sibley, Democrat, Of Pennsylvania,
VINO has publicly announced his change
If views on the. money question, and who
if was thought might vote for the bill,
stated that he would vote against it.
Mr.. Thayer, a Massachusetts Democrat,
was the only member of the opposition
who made speech for the bill to-day.
The speakers to-day were Messrs. Crum-
hacker of Indiana Lowering of Massachu-
sets. Olmstead of Pennsylvania, McCleary
Of Minnesota Boutelle of Illinois and
craft of Illinois, Republicans, in favor of
the bill, and Messrs. Cox of Tennessee,
Lewis of Georgia, Lanham of Texas, Sib-
lev of Pennsylvania, Burke of Texas,
Terry of Arkansas, Ball of Texas, Gilbert
Of Kentucky, Smith of Kentucky, Berry
of Kentucky, Atwater of North Carolina
and Jet of Illinois, Democrats, against It,
Mr. Cox of Tennessee who was the
ranking minority member of the Banking
and Currency Committee in the last Con-
eress. opened the debate to-day in oppo-
ston to The currency bill In the course
of his remarks. Mr.. Cox paid mis- respects
10 Mr.. Grosvenor whom he characterized
as the spokesman of the administration on
the floor He was a most adept repre-
sentative of the chief executive, said he,
for when placed in a hole he never ex-
perienced the least difficulty in getting out
Q4aughter)
When Mr.. Sibley OF Pennsylvania 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 audi
ence He had only risen to say that he
proposed to print his views in the Record.
He had been offered time by the Repub-
leans, but as he had spoken against the
Republican candidates in twenty-seven
states in 1896, he did not desire to accept
favors at their hands.
On the other hand he did not desire TO
embarrass the Democrats by asking for
time from them. He would vote against
the pending bill, he said, but he did not
entirely agree with the views of members
upon the minority side. He would, there
fore, content himself with printing his
opinions.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader
called Mr.. Sibley to witness that he had
been offered thirty-five minutes within
which 10 present his views. To this Mr..
Sibley assented, but said he had not avail
ed himself of the proffer as he did not
desire to embarrass the gentleman VINO
had rendered 1t.
Mr. McCreary of Minnesota remarked
upon the change which had come over the
Democrats. In past congresses they had
always seemed eager and anxious to offer
4 free silver proposition as a substitute
4 for almost anything that happened to be
pending. During the debate not a Demo-
crat had come forward with free silver
substitute.
At o'clock the House recessed until 8
i o'clock.
At the night session the following mem
4 bers made speeches:
Messrs. II. c. Smith, Republican of Illi-
nos, and Gibson, Republican, of Tenn
essee in favor of the bill, and Messrs.
Sheppard Democrat, of Texas; Shackel-
ford, Democrat, of Missouri; w. E. Will
8 son, Democrat, of Illinois; Burnett, Dem
Ocrat of Alabama; Allen, Democrat Of
i Kentucky; McLain, Democrat, of Miss
issipp; Ridgely, Populist, of Kentucky
Beazale, Democrat, of louisiana; Little,
Democrat, of Arkansas; Talbert, Demo-
crat, Of South Carolina Stokes, Democrat,
q Of South Carolina, against the bill.
Al 1918 p m. the House adjourned I'M
I'll tomorrow at II a. m.