Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-12-14
DEBATE ON The HOUSE
FINANCIAL BILL BEGINS
Mr.. overstreet, Of Indiana, Opens
the Discussion for the
Republicans.
TO FIRMLY FIX GOLD STANDARD
Necessity Of Positive Statutory
Declarations. lIla lornte EynD.
TO FIRMLY FIX GOLD STANDARD
Necessity of Positive Statutory
Declaration--l Elaborate Expo
sition of the Features
of the Bill.

Washington, Dec. 13.-There was
only fair attendance in the galleries
OF the house to witness the opening of
the debate OH the currency bill. AS
soon as the journal was read the house
went into committee of the whole,
with Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, in the
chair, and began consideration of the
bill Mr.. Overstreet of Indiana, who
is to have charge of the bill, opened
the debate with set speech. lie said
i'll part:
"lf the legal standard today is the
gold standard under the act of 1913. a
positive statute to that effect can do
no harm. Ii, on the other hand, there
is any reasonable doubt it should be
dispelled by a statute plain and clear
in its terms. When certainty shall
take the place of doubt and the integ-
rlty OF our credit be as fixed as the
honor of the nation. the national debt
can be readily refunded at lower IN
terest rates and future loans negotiat-
ed with ease upon better terms than
ever before. The rapid development
Of American trade and it's vast eNpan-
SION, bringing our people into close
relations with the leading nations of
the world, make it imperative that
the standard of value in which settle
ments are made shall be the best
known to the highest civilization.
Recent events, shaped by causes
beyond our control, bearing cbiga-
tlons which the national honor re-
quires shall be courageously dis
charged, open new fields for-American
craftsmanship. Channels of trade vet
unknown to American enterprise and
avenues of commerce yet to welcome
American products will surely result.
Such conditions emphasize the necea-
slty for a standard of value, which
shall remain firm throughout the vi
elssltudes OF competitive trade
Mr.. Overstrect then made an elabor-
ate exposition of the features of the
bill. the methods of their operation,
and in conclusion said:
THE advocates of currency reform
firmly declare that the financial oper-
ations of the government are upon a
gold standard, but that honest fears
engendered by doubtful legislation rel
s.lNS W SILVER coinage ana lne per-
sistent attacks upon the standard of
value fully justify the legislation
asked. TO firmly fix gold as the
standard of value i'm unequivocal
terms, made fully operative by all
proper safeguards, is the central idea
OF the law proposed.
ut is confidently believed that the
country demands it and that our ac-
zion will be ratified by the people.
The supporters of the proposition are
not confined to the republican party
or to the so-called money centers.'
Democrats of courage and conviction
have nobly dared to break from party
lines and suffer unflinchingly the sting
OF the party whip in an honest. patri-
otto effort to uphold the integrity of
the national credit and make SECURE
the foundation of the vast and ex-
panding business of our people. The
American yeomanry in the great agri-
cultural fields of the country are fully
aware of the Importance of the sub
iect and appreciate the wisdom of leg
islation. Nearly all those who wavered
i'm 1896 corrected their error i'm 1885,