New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-15
CURRENCY
CLEARING THE GROUND FOR THE FINAL
VOTE TO-DAY.
A BIMETALIIsT AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
Mr. CHANDLER DEFEATED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Washington Feb 1A-Debate on the Cur
rency bill. which the Senate is TO vote to-
morrow. conducted to-day chiefly under
the rather stringent limitations OF the ten-min-
ute rule. AS consequence discussion IAN
gushed and much time was spent in wrangling
over the terms under which the Senate had
bound itself to come to Anal vote. 1t was
agreed at last TO dispose of certain or the
amendments to-day, as TO clear the field
little for Tomorrow and on this basis more or
less satisfactory progress was made The great
er part Of the afternoon was given to the
amendment offered by Senator Chandler, re-
enacting the law of 1897 under which the Presi-
dent appointed the Bimetallc Commission. of
which Senator Wolcott chairman. Mr..
Wolcott thought a re-enactment unnecessary,
but Mr.. Chandler insisted on pressing his
amendment. which was finally defeated by
vote of 40 to % This was regarded as test
vote, indicating approximately the majority on
the passage of the bill.
TELLER REPLIES TO ALLISON.
MT Teller was recognized reply to the speech
of Mr.. Allison, delivered yesterday. He had waited
in vain he said for explanation OF the House
BILL which technically the measure under con-
sideration. He approached all questions relating TO
the finances OF the country with suspicion. He
thought the House bill ought 10 be considered
fully, Ii might possibly become the law. 1t had
been drafted by a Commission composed Of acute
lawyers and there force and strength be-
hind it,
Mr. Teller combated the assertion of Mr.. Allison
that the United States the gold stand
ard. I'VE not on the gold standard, except
by the unauthorized action OF the Treasury. We
are on what is sometimes called a Iimping silver
standard and sometimes gold standard. Nobody
outside of the United States has considered the
United States on the gold standard, but it may be
said that we practically have forced by Execu
tive usurpation and transgresson Of the law to
proceed as If we gold standard"
Mr.. Teller declared that the pending bill to
be enacted into law because the gold standard ad-
vocates afraid that the American people would
put some man in the White House who would not
favor the gold standard This fear constituted the
reason for the pending BILL the purpose being to
embody the gold standard into the statutes that
IT could not be disturbed without great difficulty
He said there never had been hour since 1879
when there was the slightest doubt that the green
backs would be redeemed in gold. Through the
severest panics they had always been good as
gold. for II realized that the Government would
not in any event repudiate it's obligations He main
tanned, therefore, that there was no reason for
the legislation proposed in the pending measure.
In conclusion Mr.. Teller said that the Republican
party had abandoned its principles and had fallen
into evil hands, and was being used by evil in
fuences. There is hope" said he, "for the
country from 1t. Its policy will be dictated from
the great commercial centres and be overborne and
weighted down by greed The Republican party
came into existence protest against slavery.
The agencies which control it will allow
# to stand for righteousness and Justice"
He said mat Mr.. Depew, in suggesting Gold and
Glory a proper motto for the Republican ban
ner. had not proposed phrase that had ever been
a rallying cry OF the party. The people would rise
in their might and tear down that banner unless
the Republican leaders placed upon it the old
slogan of Justice, Righteousness and Equality of
All the People"
MR.. CHANDELIERS AMENDMENT.
committee amendment relative to bimetallism. The
Chandler proposition authorized the President to
appoint commissioners to any international con-
ference called by the United States any other
country to arrange bmetallic agreement.
Mr.. Wocott suggested that this the exist
ing law and asked Mr.. Chandler withdraw the
amendment.
Mr.. Chandler declined, saying that If the amend
ment was existing law it could do harm to
| adopt it.
Mr.. Jones' of Arkansas expressed doubt as to the
| intention of the majority to have the amendment
providing for international agreement carried into
effect II 1t should become part of the law. re-
| garded 1t mere scheme TO catch votes
Mr.. Vest announced his purpose to vote against
both the Aldrich amendment and the Chandler
| amendment to it. because he regarded the propo-
| sition Tor an international conference a fraud
and pretext, just the adoption of the Nc
Emery resolution after the ratification of the Paris
| Treaty, which merely he declared for the
purpose of supplying some Senators with a shallow
ford over which to cross the stream and had sinoo
been entirely ignored. The intention of the pendng
Dill was to Kill silver, and il would prove az 81
fective in that office a dagger or dose Of nrus
sic acid would be in disposing of animal life II
would be absurd to send a commission abroad asL
ing for bimetallic conference in view of the
declaration for gold. He had no patience with any
man VINO would pretend that the bill had anv other
object than to strike silver down and he considered
all amendments to it roaring farce
Mr.. Aldrich declared that Mr. Chandler ,,a. a.
ceiving no one with his amendment and he ex
| pressed me nope that the amendment would be de-
lea'eu ne was sure that the proposition was not
one tnat would meet with general appreciation
| MT Lindsay said If there was any virtue In tho
present Dill II was that 1t settled the question of
| hhance He opposed the committee amendr,ou.
| ana the amendment of Mr.. Chandler He did NOT
| oeIeve In encumbering the bill with anv suoh
pioPosllloh. II was In his opinion. simply promo
| sltlon TO affect votes Now was the time he ba
ieFeo' ior the definite determination of the fnan-
eial question, and 1t could be determined if only
haIr way law was enacted He declared that the
amendments were either wholly unnecessary, in
view OF existing law, or were offered moi IN eood
faith ~
Mr. Caffery said that the country in his opinion
| had been on gold standard since 1873 and that
| this bill was intended merely to perpetuate il
| Inc battle of the standards he declared was
fought and lost by the silvertes in 1896 The nrob
| able contest this year Will be only skirmish The
forces of the silveres have been routed and tbe,r
efforts to uphold silver must meet with failure -
He believed the proposed amendment was a "sop
TO Cerberus." and that the American people would
| regard f.
| The amendment in the opinion Of Mr. Money
| was entirely pertinent, but he was satisfied there
was no desire on the part Of the Administration or
OF Republican Senators to advance the interests q,
| bimetallism.
Mr. Teller said the Republican press throughout