The National tribune., 1900-02-22
IN CONGRESS-.
Synopsis Of the More Important
Proceedings of Both Houses.

In the Senate February II was a field.
day Of financial oratory. Senator Elkins
began with business-like address in SUD.
port of the gold standard measure, and
was followed by Senator Wolcott, who
expressed his support of the bill, with its
proposed bimstallic amendment reported
by the Finance Committee. Senator But
Ter, OF North Carolina, in opposition, closed
the days debate with Speech favoring
greenbackS.
Senator Elkins declared that the chief
feature and strength of the bill was its
emphatic and unequivocal declaration in
favor OF the gold standard and the com
initial of the United States to the policv
of paying its Indebtedness in gold. "if
the bill becomes law" said he, ct will
strengthen the public credit at home and
abroad, making II the highest and safest
in the world"
Mr.. Wolcott began by SAYING that the
first provision of the bill, enacting the
gold standard into law, was simply a re-
iteration of fact existing ever sine cIS72
but he did criticise the proposition that
all Of the bonded indebtedness of the United
States should be paid in gold. He thought
that this was "a mistaken view" On The
other hand, he was proud that the United
States could place its bonds at lower rate
of interest than any other country. He
circulation. and said that the passage of
the measure would sooner or later accer
tuate these objections. The latter part of
his speech was devoted 10 bimetallisin, and
he urged that attention be given to this
principle, because when the day of finau-
cial stagnation and hard times came, it
would help 10 ameliorate oppressive con-
ditions. He stated hi; belief that. when
other experiments have failed, the prin-
ciple will secure adoption by the Intelligent
nations Of the world. He then continued:
I'm this country bimetallism mas re-
ceived its greatest injury and suffered its
seYerast blow at the hands OF the BRYAN
Democracy. In close alliance with the
Populist party, which still demands an ir-
redeemable and inflated paper currency.
clamoring for free silver al 10 to ] by the
United States alone. 10 the exclusion of
any other settlement Of the question. ad-
vocatiug openly deprecated money. ridi-
cuiing all idea of international agreement.
asJuciating their demands with Snarling
protest against every policy which seeks
the enforcement Of law ard order, and the
maintenance o! the honor of our country
and the fulfllment OF our obligations to
mankind; 1t is not surprising that they
have so clouded the minds of men that
many Of them see no difference between
the free silver of Bryan and bimetallism.
and are inclined 20 seek an end Of the whole
matter and hesitate 10 dea! with the subject
in any form But. Mr. President, we can
be honest and win"
Mr.. Butler, of North Carolina. spoke on
his substitute for the Senate bill entitled
! AN act TO establish unit of account II
| He maintained that under the Constitution
Congress had unlimited authority to manu-
| facture money ont Of gold OF silver or paper.
or Of either Of these, or of all of them He
said his amendment provided that the
greenback-the patriotic friend Of the peo-
| pie the kind Of money that did not desert
| the people when trouble came, should he
| used as money instead Of gold or silver In
| five years, he .,siid. the national debt could
| be cXtiaguished
The House transacted minor routine
matters.
| On February IL. Senator Allison, for the
| gold standard, and Senator Jones, OF
Nevada, in opposition, occupied the atten.
| ton of the entire day in the Senate Mr.
Allison, as member of the Finance Com
mittee, a former candidate for President
| and formerly an advocate of bimetallism
was listened 10 with close attention. The
proposed bill did not, Mr.. Allison asserted
eliminate the greenbacks from the cur
rency, and, in response to a question by
Senator Lindsay, said that the greenbacl
was now a gold certificate. He added. too
that in his belief it would never lie neces