The times., 1899-12-19
HOW THE GOLD BILL PASSED.
Incidents That Marked the Vote in
the Hpuse


Incidents That Marked the Vote in
the House.
The House of the FIlty-sixth Congress
by its action declares by a substantial ma
iority that not even the pretence Of the
double standard shall longer be main
tanned in the monetary system OF the
United States. In less than one hour the
whole financial history Of the country was
wiped out by the House and a new page.
bearing the single word Gold. was pre-
sented to the worlds chroniclers.
After doing this the House was officially
informed OF the death OF Richard Parks
Bland, and, as a mark OF respect 20 the
mighty champion OF bimetalHsm. ad-
journed.
During the short time consumed in the
formaiity of recording the vote by which
this history making was done a financial
policy almost as old as the Government
itself, either actually or sentimentally.
was relegated to the limbo OF things that
were. All that now remains to make the
extinction OF bimetallism complete in the
United States is the concurrence OF the
Senate in the action Of the House and the
Presidents approving signature to the Gu
aCtment.
For this reason the day at the Capitol
was mOmeutous. And yet probably no tre-
mendously important event in the history
of the nation was ever attended by scenes
less dramatic or impressive
Immediately after the announcement was
made the House adjourned in a spirit that
exactly cOmported with that which marked
the proceedings Of the Cay. There we.e no
congratulations, no clamor, no scramble for
the cloak rooms.
The yanquished displayed no more feeling
than the yictOrs There was no hysteria
on either side. The same calm, dispas-
sionate, utterly spiritless attitude was main
tanned throughout by the actors in the
drama just enacted.
So well had everything been arranged be-
forehand that there even was no surprise
that eleven Democrats voted for the meas
ure.
The only feature Of considerable curios-
ity in the vote was aroused when the Clerk
called Mr.. Smith Of Maryland" There
was then stoppage of breath, a straining
Of eyes, and a craniHg Of necks on the
Aoor and in the galleries The whisper had
run around that there was some uneer-
tainty as to how the Marylander would
vote. Twice the Clerk called the name. and
there was no response. Mr. Smith was
absent. He was not paired with any ad-
yocate of the bill That's Germans work
Smith is dCdging, was the tenor OF the
comment in the galleries and on the floor
Mr Smith is the Democratic GOvernoT-eieCt
of Maryland. He is the friend of the Hon
Arthur Pue German. He is holding onto
his seat in the House under unusual cir
cumstances. Ordinarily when statesmen
are elected to higher Office they resign the
less. 1t is the Marylander's privilege TO
remain a member of the House until the
time comes for his inauguration as Cover
nor But his retention OF office at Wash
ingtOn has been the theme OF Industrious
comment and lively surmise in the Demo
cratic household.
de was elected Governor OF Maryland on
a platform that completely ignored the Chi
cago platform, and that was silent on the
new issues that have since arisen. 1t is
claimed by those who have been wondering
why Mr. Smith wanted to stay in Congress
and face the currency issue that his alb
sence from the House yesterday makes
plain the reason. 1t is, they say, that he
stayed to do just what he did dO-tO dodge
the vote on the squaTe-cut question Of BIZ
metalism. Furthermore. his critics dis
Germ back of this course the hand of Mr..
German whose wish it is, they assert, TO
arouse a keener interest than now exists
throughout the Democratic States in his
views ant intentions touching the action
of the party as to the platform and the
candidate next year. In other words, it is
held that Mr. Smiths dodge yesterday viii
have the effect Of making Mr. German a
sphinx in Democratic councils and Mary
land the enigma ia the Democratic riddle
from now on until the party adjusts itself
to new conditions.
No thrill of enthusiasm was observable
on the Republican side when eleven Demo
Gratis in turn voted for the bill. Neither did
the Democratic side display any emotion.
It was well understood how these eleven
members were to vote. They are Clayton,
briggs, Fitzgerald. Levy, Rupert. Scud-
der, UnderhiIl. and Wilson. all Of New
York Denny of Maryland McAleer OF
Pennsylvania and Thayer Of Massachusetts,.
One Democrat. Mr.. BeIlamy Of North Caro-
lima, arrived at the House too late to vote
He afterward tried TO get his vote recorded
against the bill. Another, General Wheeler
of Alabama is an officer in the Army way
over in the Philippines, and viii have to
make what will probably be a losing fight
for his seat when he returns. The other
Democratic members who were absent were
paired with Republicans. siguifyjEg that
they would have voted against the measure
had they been present. These pairs were
Catchings with Joy, Campbell with Bishop.
BrOussard with HaTmeT. Robertson with
GHlett and Dayey with Vreeland.