New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-02
BRYAN AND GOLD BONDS.
THE QUESTION TO WHICH he REFUSED
TO REPLY ANSWERED BY HIS REC
ORD IN CONGRESS.
rnr TELEGRAPH TO THE rnIBuNE.l

Washington, Sept IF Mr.. Bryan Of 1900 will
not answer the direct question put to him by the
representative OF New-York newspaper as TO
whether he would II elected direct his Secretary Of
the Treasury 10 meet Government coin obligations
by silver payments, Mr.. Bryan Of 1895, by The
Record will do unequivocally," said Repre-
sentative Loudenslager, who is in charge OF the
Eastern headquarters OF the Republican Congress
sonal Committee in the last session of the LlIId
Congress" continued Mr.. Loudenslager. the
per cent gold bond bill under consideration and
Representative Bryan. speaking to an amendment
offered by himself said:
81 offered an amendment which reafirned the
be payable in gold or silver, and yet less than
twenty think only thrteenl RepuhMSitans yot ea
Republicans thus declared that coin bonds are gold
9 f6eFs H eas S0 for oS agitation
the word gold in the bond. We VINO neieve In a4
s m od dn Or aSer at the opon Of the
ern1aent 10 redeem its coin bonds in either gold
silver we, I say can object to gold bonds as
violent change in our monetary policy, but those
who insist that greenbacks. Treasury notes or coin
bonds are all payable in gold on demand. have far
less to criticise the President
This is found in The Congressional Record
page PSI, appendix 4. LII Congress The Mat
thews resolution. to which Mr. Bryan referred was
a concurrent resolution Of the XLVth Congress
Qs7S), offered in the Senate by Stanley Matthews
Il had not the force or effect OF law, but
expression OF the Of that Congress- yet it has
served the purpose Of placing the word coin in
bond contracts, and making their payment IN gold
or silver at the option OF the Government and has
had its influence upon subsequent Congresses in
the enactment OF currency legislation. And now
told by Secretary Gage that notwithstand-
ing we have the gold standard Mr.. Bryan could, IL
he chose, make silver payments to meet coin OBJ
legations ana that he would do so is clearly EVIL
denced by this attempt enact into law the
Matthews resolution and by his remarks thereon
which have quoted. He could reasonably argue
that the Matthews resolution. though never placed
and hax yit1
been repealed. expressed the sense OF not only the
Congress that passed it. but Of subsequent Con-
crosses and Of numerous Secretaries of the Treas
hibition against silver payments he will be guided
by Il Mr. Bryan's amendment to the gold bond
bill both OF which were defeated, is follows:
Provided: That nothing herein shall be construed
as surrendering the right OF the Government Of
the United States TO pay all coin bonds outstand-
ing in gold and oliver coin at the option of the
Government declared by the following Joint
SHOULD be cOncurrent) resolution, adopted in 1873
by the Senate and House of Representatives OF the
United States OF America, 10 wit:
THAT all bonds OF the United States issued, or
authorized 10 be issued under said Act Of Con-
gress hereinbefore recited are payable, principal
and interest. at the option Of the Government OF
the United States. in silver dollars Of the coinage
Of the United States. containing 4l21a grains each
OF standard silver, and that to restore TO its
nent Of said bonds. principal AMI interest, is not
sn violation Of the public faith, nor in derogatton
OF the rights Of the public creditor.
Thus does the record of 1895 break the silence
of Mr. Bryan at this time and confirm Secretary
Cages statement that Mr. Bryan has the power,
and would exercise it. 70 place the country a
silver basis in the event OF his election"