The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-16


amendment offered by the finance commit
tee, and reading as follows:
The provisions of this act are not in
tended to place any obstacles in the way
OF the accomplishment of international bi-
metallism, provided the same be secured
by concurrent action of the leading COM
mercial nations of the world and at a ratio
which shall insure permanence of relative
value between gold and silver
"THE CRIME OF '73."
An interesting debate followed in which
Messrs. Hoar, Morgan. Platt and others
participated. While Mr.. Cockrell was
speaking Mr.. Aldrich inquired whether the
law known as the "crime of 1873" would
have deprecated silver If the countries
Of the Latin union were receiving silver
at their mints and coming it free.
Mr.. Cockrell replied that IL would not.
''That settles Ii, them" said Mr.. Aldrich.
IF what you now admit is true. how do
you expect legislation of one country to
appreciate silver? The crime of '73 was
not then crime
cit was a crime" shouted Mr.. Cockrell.
"a crime against man, against God, against
humanity and against Christianity
AS the vote was about to be taken on
the committee amendment Mr.. Teller Of
fered the following substitute for it
1.-THE people of the United States are in
favor of bimetallism and desirous Of an
international agreement with the great
commercial nations of the world that will
admit of the use of both gold and silver
at such an established ratio as will main
tain the parity between gold and silver
coins. and the efforts of the government
are hereby pledged to endeavor to secure
such an international agreement as speed
lily as possible
Speaking on the proposed bimetallic
amendment, Mr.. Wolcott declared he was
satisfied to accept in good faith the state
ments of honorable senator's that they
were favorable to bimetallism If it could
be brought about by international agree
ment, and he expressed his gratitude for
the proposed amendment. az accept It,"
said he, because / know 1t was made in
good haith. 1t is enough for me and
enough for any man who is Republican
who desires to bring about international
bimetallism."
Mr.. Elkins expressed his pleasure that
Mr.. Cockrell, representing his party, had
declared against international bimetallism.
Mr.. Elkins was interrupted by Mr.. Till
man, who inquired: "Are you in favor of
an alliance with any European nation?"
Mr.. Elkins replied that he was in favor
of such an international agreement as
would enable us to use both gold and sill
yer as standard money.
"You limit the alliance to money!" per-
sisted Mr. Tillman.
We'll" responded Mr.. Elkins, "I would
cross only one bridge at a time. Let us
settle the financial matter first 1 will say.
however. that 1 am not afraid of alli-
ances''
Mr.. Spooner called attention to the law
for an international conference. saying
this made Mr. Teller's amendment unneces-
sary.
The amendment of Mr.. Teller was de-
feated-27 to As.
A vote was then taken on the committee
amendment and it was adopted-5 to 80.
DEMOCRATIC PLANS REJECTED.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Stewart,
providing for the payment of bonds of the
United States in coin of the standard fixed
by the act of July IA, 1870, was laid on the
table-i4 to &c.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Pettus,
providing that nothing in this act should
affect the legal-tender quality Of United
States silver dollars, was likewise defeat
ed-A to 26
Mr.. Vest offered an amendment provid-
ing for $500 100000 of treasury bond notes,
which should be loaned by the secretary of
the treasury TO any person who would de-
posit United States bonds as security. Mr..
Vest sharply arraigned Secretary Gage for
his action in relation to the National City
Bank of New York, saying the letter of A
B. Hepburn, vice president of that bank,
was nothing short of an insult to the
highest fiscal officer Of the government"
His amendment, he said, If enacted into
law, would afford the citizen owner Of
bonds the same facilities as were afforded
national banks. The amendment was de-
feated without division.
An amendment by Mr.. McLaurin, of
South Carolina, to repeal the tax on state
banks was lost-S7 to 20.
Mr. Jones' of Arkansas, then offered as
a substitute for the Senate bill a meas
ure providing for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver. That. too. was lost-47
to 2S-the vote being along almost strict
party lines. Senators Lindsay. of Ken
lucky, and Caffery, of Louisiana, voting
with the Republicans.
Mr.. Nelson offered an amendment pro-
viding fer the organization of national
banks with a capital Of not less than 5000
in towns whose population does not ex-
ceed 1900. Mr.. Aldrich accepted the
amendment, and ii was adopted.
The bill. as amended. was then passed
10 to %.
Mr.. Cullom moved that the Senate take
up for consideration the Hawaiian govern
ment bill, the effect CT the motion. If adopt
ed, being to make the bill the unfinished
business. Mr.. Chandler antagonized the
motion with a motion to proceed to con-
slider executive business. His motion was
voted down and that of Mr.. Cullom was
adopted.
After brief executive session the Sen
ate, at SIS p. m, adjourned.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
The Philippine Question and Civil