The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-13
THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.
BRIGGS or NEW rORS, DINO
Graf. sPF5kS ron THE BILL.


! Gen. Grosvenor Points out tho Causes of
| the National Prosperity-The Case for
| Silver Pr.sented-Repubiican Pledges
| nnd Performnnce-Mnny Represent atives
| Anxious to Take Part In the Debate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-The demand made
! by Representatives upon the managers OF the
| financial debate in the House for time In which
| TO express their views has become so great that
| today arrangements were made to open the ses-
! sons Of Wednesday. Thursday and Friday at
| IL O'Clock and TO hold evening sessions on
! those days from to 1880 o'clock. The debate
to-day was opened by Cen. Grosvenor OF Ohio.
who smoke for an hour In support OF the bill
and generally defended the Republicans from
the criticisms OF Mr. DeArmond OF Missouri
made yesterday Other advocates OF the bill
were Messrs. Parker OF New Jersey. william
Alden Smith Of Michigan. Prince OF Illinois,
briggs OF New York. Powers OF Vermont and
Lawrence OF Massachusetts,. Mr. Driggs's
speech attracted unusual attention. being that
OF a Democrat who opposed his party associ-
ates on this question. His declaration in favor
OF the gold standard was bold and uneauivo-
cal. Tho bill was opposed by Messrs. New
lands OF Nevada. Mr.. Shafroth Of Colorado.
Cochran Of Missouri and Sims OF Tennessee
Mr.. Cochran evoked derisive laughter by de-
scribing Bryan's cross NJ gold and crown OF
thorns" sentiment "a the grandsst uttor-
apce OF the campaign OF 1926"
Gen Grosvenor began by saying that within
tho past six months he had witnessed such a
disintegration OF the forces which In 1896 had
stood for the free and unlimited coinage OF
silver at ~ to l that he had hoped tho Demo-
Gratis would discuss tho merits Of the pending
bill and not bring up again that old issue.
But they were here with the same old battle
cry: and the gentleman from Missouri lMr.
DeArmondI. with a pertinacy that approached
audacity. insisted that the victory OF 1896 had
been won by fraud. corruption and intimida-
ton. A party that induced Presidential can
didate to endorse Il Goebel Election law ought
not to como in ut this late day and com plain
about intimidation and legislation. Two
thirds. certainly more than one half. OF the
National Republican campaign fund Of 1895
had been expended In printing and publishing
documents for tho education and information
Of the voters.
Mr.. Suzer Dem. n. Y.l-Docs the gentleman
know how much money the Republicans spent
in 1895?
Mr. Grosyenor-I do. to a dollar. but the
gentleman knows that do not always tell
everything know
Gen. Grosvenor referred to tho charge Of in
consistency made against the Republican
party by Democratic speakers In It's treatment
oI tHlS Question. tie sNlu tnht tnerO was no
difference among Republicans at St. Louis In
1895. except over the matter Of phraseol ogy {;
that poll OF the Committee on Resolutions,
made before their meeting. showed them to be
unanimous for what was aiterward nodded
into the platform. demand for the mainte-
nance OF the existing gold standard.
He reviewed the contest Of 1895. declaring IL
TO DO the greatest political conflict IN the his
tory OF the United States; n battle Of giants:
n battle for principles and not for spols The
issue OF that campaign was stated by the
Democrats to be the FREQ and unlimited COIN
age Of silver at Ii to / a: II II was not secured
there would be no increase in wages y; n vote
for Mckinley. they said. meant IL cent corn. rs
cent wheat, cent cotton. and all the horrors
then coming upon the country. The Rcpubli-
cans said that II the people would have Re-
publican Administration. restore the Mckinley
tariff. or something like u. and adopt the gold
standard. then prosperity would return wages
be- increased and the people would be happy
The election was held. the people turned TO tho
Republican party. an Administration OF that
party and n Congress came into power the
Dingley Tariff bill was passed and prosperity
had come Applause.
The speaker addressed what he said were
some concise inquiries. lie asked II amy
Democrat could tell one thing that they had
declared on the stump in ls@i, affirmative
or negative. that came true. They had said
there could be no foreign trade. The country
never had such a foreign trade They said IL
the Republicans were successful there would
bs great decrease in ths vOlum. Of money
sine" that camraign there had been TOUR hum
dred millions added tn the currency OF the
country. and "" propose 10 fix IL so that no
ntingcncy shall arise TO undo the work tina
people hav" said should L." done"
Tho Democrats stll harpca upon the free
coinage OF silver. the most disastrous agitation
a ire ha
dence OF God and the wisdom OF man working
together had so fixed things politically that for
eight years. at least, there could be no hope OF
securing free coinage unless death came in to
effect the result. VIII YOU stIll continue TO
agita,e and distress tho people OF the
manded. and he asked the Democrats why
II was that whenever their party came
into power there was depression and distress
and that whenever the Republicans succeeded
the country started on the upgrade. Cen
Grosvenor In concluding. addressed a few
sections OF the sherman Antitrust law Of
1880. Republican measure. passed by Repub-
lcan Legislatures and enforced by Republican
officials. SO fully described trusts that he
could add nothing to them: and the decisions
of Republican courts under them have de-
stroych the power and Strongholds OF trusts
in this country
Mr.. Nrwlands Silver. New. antaponizino
the bill, said that the enactment OF tho Wilson
rarin law was 4 fatal mistake by the Clevr-
money is withdrawn from circulation and
credit Is collapsed" he said 1T Is no time
for readIustmcnt OF tariff schedules"
Prosperity did not come In. he contin-
ucd. with the advent OF the McKinIey
ADMINISTRATION, nor with the Passage Of |