The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-14
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL
0pposi ion to Porto lean Measure Evokes an
Appeal from Hanna,
FORAKER, IN CAUCUS, WORKS FOR IT
Mr.. Turner in the Senate Makes a Genera
Attack Upon the Policy and Provisions of
the Pending Measure For
Porto Rico.
(By The Associated Press. J

Washington, March 13.-The last legis-
lative step in the enactment of the Finan-
cial Bill was taken by the House of Rep
resentatives today when the conference
report on the bill was adopted by vote
of yeas 166 nays 120 present and not
voting, 10. The Senate had already adopt
ed the conference report so it remains
only fer President Mckinley to affiX his
signature to the measure to make 1t a
law. Representative Overstreet, the au-
thor of the BILL will take it to the White
House tomorrow, and the signature is
likely to be affixed soon thereafter. Al
ready arrangements have been made for
securing the pen with which, the Presi-
dent will sign the bill.
The debate on the report continued
throughout today, 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 severe ar
raignment of the bill
The vote was on party lines except that
nine Democrats joined with the Repub-
licans in supporting the conference re-
port.
charge of the report, explained in detail
the notifications agreed upon. Mr..
Overstreet said that every principle con-
tanned in the House bill had been preserv-
ed in the conference report except the pro
vision relative to the taxation of national
bank franchises The establishment of
the gold standard into law was still its
all-important and essential feature.
hi 1uiI
be made payable in goid?" inquired Mr..
Snodgrass (Tenn.)
No replied Mr. Overstreet, because
it is a question in law whether it would
not be retroactive and second, because,
having fixed the gold standard and recog-
nized it by converting all public obliga-
tions into gold obligations, there will be
no necessity to legislate concerning pri-
vate obligations as they will invariably
reflect the character of government OBJ
legations.
OVERSTREET is FRANK.
Responding to an inquiry Mr.. Over
street said This bill holds out not the
slightest hope for international bi-metal-
lism under present conditions l say
frankly that this bill will make it prac-
tically and absolutely impossible ever to
have international bi-metallsm at the
ratio of 16 to t. (Applause.)
Mr.. Lewis (Ga.) also spoke against the
conference report, particularly 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 Comm urged the report would
bring great relief to the country.
Mr.. Maddox (Ga.) criticised the bond
features of the bill and the gradual in
crease of the interest bearing debt.
Messrs. Noonan IND, McRae (Ark),
and Shofroth (Colo) also spoke against
the bill
Mr.. Little (Ark.) in closing for the OPP
position severely arraigned 1.-The infamies
of this bill" and the stealth, deceit,
fraud and corruption by which this con-
spiracy has forced it's Shiny course along
, the pathway of legislation, until now We
are to witness in the light of day its
triumph over free people.
He declared it would mark the black