The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-14
EXPLAINED THEIR POSITION
BUTLER AND ALLEN WANT FREE
COINAGE AT 16 TO 1.

Both Stated That They Favored 1t
by This Government Independent
of Any Other Nation-AIdrich Said
Butler Had Evaded the Question,
and He Was Glad to Know Now
Where He StOOd-Turner Spoke
Against Porto Rican RiII.
Washington, March 13.-Personal expla-
nations were made to-day in the Senate
by Mr. Allen of Nebraska and Mr.. Butler
of North Carolina of their positions on
the financial question. Both announced
their belief in the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at the ratio of l6 to l.
The statements were called out by re-
ports to the contrary. which had gained
some circulation.
Mr.. Turner then began an extended
speech on the Porto Rican bill, but did
not conclude his remarks. He maintained
that the pending measure was clearly I'M
constitutional, and expressed his belief
that it would be so held if it were passed
upon by the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Allen rose to a question of privilege
to deny published report that he had
abandoned his free silver coinage posi-
ton.
Nothing that I ever said," he said,
could by any kind of torture be con-
strued as a lack of faith in my party
platform, which declares for the free and
unlimited coinage of both gold and silver
at ratio of 16 to L.
Senator Buffers Position.
couoquy between himself and Mr.. Aid
rich had not correctly represented him.
This report stated that Mr.. Butler evaded
direct answer to Mr.. Aldrich's question
to whether or not he (Butler) was in
favor of the free and unlimited coinage
of silver al the ratio of 16 to l. Mr. But
Ter then restated his position, as given
during the colloquy, but did not point
out where he had been misrepresented
In closing he said he wanted to make
the statement that he was in favor of the
free coinage of gold and silver at a ratio
of l6 to 1 by the United States independ-
ent of any other nation.
Mr.. Aldrich replied briefly, saying that
The Associated Press account of the COLO
Guy was a fair and accurate statement of
what occurred. He had asked the North
Carolina Senator six or eight times if he
was in favor of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to l by
the united states alone, ana mad not re-
ceived a direct answer.
Mr.. Aldrich said he was glad to get to-
days statement from Mr.. Butler that he
was now in favor of such free coinage.
Porto Rican Tariff Bill.
At the request of Mr.. Turner. the Porto
Rican tariff and government bill was laid
before the Senate. His speech was a
general attack upon the policy and pro-
visions of the measure. He declared that
its enactment would result in the de-
bauehery of our citizenship or of our con-
stitution. He pointed out that the minor
lily in Congress had consistently opposed
island acquisition and even now he be-
Aeved the United States ought to let the
FlhpnoS go in peace. He deprecated the
proposed Porto Rican tariff as a poor re-
turn for the ready acceptance of our in
situations by the Porto Ricans. 1t was
To his mind a desperate assault upon the
liberties of the people, and no more pre-
posterous measure looking to the grant
of power to Congress had ever been pre-
s"nted in either house.
The constitution, he said, must apply
equally to all persons of the territory of
the United States, and there could prop
cry be no discrimination in favor of one
section in the matter of taxation or other
wise in the interest of another section.
At 3:20 p. M the Senate adjourned.