The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-16
TO THE FINANCIAL BILL REGARDING
BIMETALLISM DEFEATED.
BIMETALLIC PROPOSITIONS
Or the Finance Committee and of Sem
ator Chandler the subject of Discus
sion-RepubIicans Charged with In
sincerity I'm bringing Forward These
Propositions The Debate Quite Spir-
ited-Field Day in the House Matters
of All Kinds Discussed.
SENATE.

oEANA T.
Washington, February 14-Through-
out its session today the senate had
the financial bill unF r discussion. Af-
ter o'clock the de bcte proceeded un-
der the 10-minuae rule and at times
became spirited and interesting.
The discussion proceeded on the
amendment brought in by the finance
committee providing that the provis-
ions of the bill are not intended to place
any obstacles in the way of interna-
tional bimetallsm.
Senator Teller was recognized to re-
ply to the speech delivered yesterday
by Senator Allison. He took strong
issue with Senator Allison that the
United States was now on the gold
standard. He said I'VE are on the gold
standard only by the unauthorized ac-
ton of the treaSury.%We are on what
is sometimes called a limping silver
standard and sometimes a limping 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 been
forced by executive usurpation and
. transgression of the law to proceed as
if we were on a gold standard.
This pending bill, he said, was to
be enacted into law, because the gold
standard advocates were afraid that
the American people would put some
man in tine White house who would not
favor. the gold standard.
Senator Teller said there never had
been an 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 as good as gold, for il
was realized the government would
not, in any event, repudiaite its obliga-
tions. He maintained therefore, there
was no reason for the Legislation pro-
posed in the pending measure.
In conclusion Senator Teller said the
republican party had abandoned its
principles, which were the greatest
good for the greatest number. 1t had
fallen into evil hands and was being
used by evil influences. There is no
hope" he said, for the country from
it. Its policy will be dictated from the
great commercial centers and be over
borne and weighed down by greed
Senator Chandler, of New Hamp-
shire, then proposed an amendment to
the committee amendment providing
that the president be authorized to ap-
point commissioners to any interna-
tional conference called by the United
States or any other country to arrange
a, bimetallic agreement.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, express
ed doubt as to the intention of the ma
jor+ty 10 have the amendment provid-
ing for international agreement carried
into effect if it should become a part
of the law. He regarded it as a mere
scheme to catch votes.
Senator Vest of Missouri, announced
his purpose to vote against both the
Aldrich amendment and the Chandler
amendment ito it, because he regarded
the proposition foI an international
conference a fraud and a pretext, just
as was the adoption Of the McEnery
resolution after the ratification of the
Paris treaty, which was merely for the
purpose Of supplying some senators
with shallow ford over which to
cross the stream and had since been
entirely ignored. The intention of the
pending bill was to kill silver and it
would prove as effective in that office
as a. dagger or a dose of prussic acid
would be in diSposing of animal life.
The first declaration of the bill was
sufficient indication to establish it's
character and to show its Intention to
establish the gold standard. Foreigners
were not such idiots as to fail to see
this fact and it would be absurd to
send a commission abroad asking for
a bimetallic conference in view of the
declaration for gold.
Senator Aldrich declared that Sena-
tor Chandler was deceiving no one with
his amendment, and he expressed the
hope that the amendment would be de-
feated.
Senator Stewart, of Nevada, referred
to the amendment as a subterfuge.
Senator Lindsay, of Kentucky, said
if there was an virtue in the present
bill, it was that it would settle the
question of finance. He opposed the
committee amendment and the amend
ment of Senator Chandler. He char
acterized them as a proposition to eff
feet votes.
Senator Caffery, of Louisiana said the
country in his opinion had been on a
| gold standard since 1873 and that this
bill was intended merely to perpetuate
it. The battle of the Standards" de-
| clared Senator Caffery, was fought
and lost by the silverites in 1896. The
probable contest this year will be only
a skirmish.''
The amendment, in the opinion Of
Senator Money, of Mississippi, was en-
tirely pertinent, but he doubted it's
| utility, as neither the administration
nor republican senators desired to ad-
vance the interests Of bimetallism.
The vote was taken on Senator
Chandler's amendment to the commit
tee amendment. 1t was defeated As
| to 25.
Senator Chandler then asked Sena-
| tor Aldrich if he would consent to the
insertion before the finance committee s
amendment of these words from the
! national platform of the republican
party of 1892: THE United States
from tradition and interest favors BIZ
metallism."
II object" replied Senator Aldrich,
ito the re-enactment of the Revised
Statutes and to recital in this bill of
the various platforms of political par
ties
Senator Allison suggested that the