Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-03-16

Washington, March 1.-THE last leg
islative step in the enactment Of the
Financial bill was taken by the House
Of Representatives to-day, when the
conference report on the bill was adopt
ed by vote of yeas 166, nays 120; pres
ent and not voting, 10. The Senate has
already adopted the conference report,
30 it remains only for President McKin-
ley to affix his signature to the meas
ure to make 1t law. Representative
Overstreet, the author Of the bill, will
take 1t to the White House Tomorrow
and the signature is likely to be affixed
soon thereafter. Already arrangements
have been made for securing the pen
with which the President will sign the
bill.
The debate on the report continued
throughout to-day, Mr.. Overstreet, of
Indiana, opening. and Mr.. Brosius, of
Pennsylvania, closing in support of the
| measure, while Mr.. Little, Of Arkansas.
closed in opposition with q severe ar
raignment Of the bill.
Mr.. OVerstreet, Of Indiana, who was
In charge of the repor-, explained in de-
tail the notifications agreed upon Mr..
OVerstreet said that every principle
contained in the House bill had been
preserved in the conference report ex-
cept the provision relative to the taxa.
ton of national bank franchises. The
| establishment of the gold standard into
law was still it's all-important and es-
sential feature.
Under this bill will private obliga-
tons be made payable in gold?" in.
CURED Mr.. Snodgrass, of Tennessee.
mo-" replied Mr.. Overstreet, "be-
| cause it is a question in law whether it
would be retroactive, and second, be-
cause, having fixed the gold standard
and recognized it by converting all
public obligations into gold obligations,
there will be no necessity to legislate
concerning private obligations, as they
will invariably reflect the character Of
government obligations"
Responding to an inquiry, Mr. Over
street said: This bill holds out not the
slightest hope for international bimet-
ailism under present conditions. I say
frankly that this bill will make it prac-
tically and absolutely impossible ever
to have international bimetallism at the
ratio of 16 to l." (Applause.)
Mr.. Lewis, Of Georgia, also spoke
against the conference report, particu-
larly against the imposition Of the gold
standard, the arbitrary authority given
the Secretary of the Treasury to sell
bonds and maintain the gold standard
and the funding Of the national debt.
Mr.. HILL of Connecticut urged the
report would bring great relief to the
country.
Mr.. Maddox, Of Georgia, criticised the
bond features Of the bill and the grad
ual increase of the Understanding
debt.
Messrs Hoonan, of Illinois; McRae,
Of Arkansas, and ShOfroth, Of Colorado,
also spoke against the bill.
Mr.. Little, of Arkansas, in closing for
the oppC sition, severely arraigne1 "1he
infamies of this bilT' and the stealth,
deceit, fraud and corruption by which
this conspiracy has forced it's Shiny
course along the pathway Of legislation,
until now we are to witness in the light
Of day it's triumph over free people,"
He declared it would mark the blacklist
page in our legislative history. He
closed as follows:
1.-The forces of patriotism and integ-
rity have selected their leader in adj
vance Of the convention, which will be
ratified on July 4th, and with that
leader-the incOrruptible, invincible ant
fearless tribune of the people-W. J.
Bryan, they will drive you and the CO.
hOrtS OF corruption from place anC
power forever" Democratic applause.)
Mr.. Brosius, of Pennsylvania, chair
man Of the Committee on Banking and
Currency, and one of the conferrees on
the Financial bill, closed for the advo-
Gates Of the measure. He said 1t vas
a long step toward the splendid prorni-
nence we are achieving as a world
power.
The vote was taken at 4:30, and the
conference report was agreed to-yeas,
16S; nays, 120; present and not voting,
10. Nine Democrats voted with the
Republicans to agree 20 the report, viz:
Clayton briggs, Fitzgerald, Levy, Scud-
der, all of New York; Denny, Of Mary
land; McAleer, of Pennsylvania; Thay-
err of Massachusetts,, and Underhill, Of
New York. In other respects the vote
was on party lines.
At $40 o'clock the House adjourned.
THE SENATE.
Washington, March 13.-Personal ex-
plantations were made to-day in the Sen
ate by Mr. Allen, of Nebraska. and Mr..
Butler, of North Carolina, of their pos
nounced their belief in the free and I'M
limited coinage Of silver at the ratio OF
16 to 1. The statements were called out by
reports to the contrary, which had gained
some circulation.
At 3:20 p. m. the Senate adjourned.