Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-09
WORK OF CONGRESS.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWO
HOUSES YESTERDAY.

(By Telegraph to Virginian-P ilot.)
Washington, Feb. S.-Almost immedi-
ately after the Senate convened to-day
discussion of the financial measure was
resumed. Mr.. Allen, OF Nebraska, con-
Guided his speech. charging the Re
publican party with breaking faith
with the people on bimetallism. Mr..
Cockrell, OF Missouri, analysed the
Financial bill.
A House bill was passed granting
the New Orleans levee board authority
to move the existing lines in front of
the United States Marine Hospital in
New Orleans.
Mr.. Allen then spoke. He said that
Notwithstanding the promises made by
the Republican party and the fact that
it had a majority in both branches of
Congress, it had not done by legisla-
ton or otherwise one thing to restore
silver to its former position as stand
ard money. In the closing hours OF the
century n great political party had
been guilty by false pretenses and
gross fraud OF obtaining the votes of
the people.
He declared that while the bimetallic
commission sent abroad had acted In
good faith. he had no doubt that IT'S
efforts were systematically discredited
by the administration at home.
UNBLUSHING REPUTATION.
Mr. Cocltrell followed. Referring to
the proposition in tho House bill to
fix the standard OF gold, he declared:
Such unqualified, unblushing repn-
diation OF legislative obligations has
not been proposed in the history of the
country 1t was in plain violation of
the Constitution, which provides each
State shall make gold and silver coin
as legal tender not gold or silver
coin.
In discussing the Senate substitute
Mr.. Cockrcll asserted that the legal
tender quality OF the standard silver
dollar was taken away absolutely as to
treasury notes and the greenbacks. It's
legal tender quality was nullified abso-
lutely.
NATIONAL DEBT CONTINUED.
He criticised sharply the power vested
in the Secretary OF the Treasury to Is
sue bonds of the United States in or
der to maintain the gold reserve or the
parity of the several kinds of money.
He maintained that the bill contained
the initial movement for the perpet-
uation of the national debt. For the
next thirty years the United States
would be tied down by a debt of more
than q billion of dollars, with no op-
ton Of extinguishing that debt, and no
possibility even at the end of the thirty
year period of paying the debt
In conclusion, Mr.. Cockrell declared
there was no justification or extenua-
ton for such n proceeding. and that II
simply placed the financial affairs of
the country in the hands OF the banks.
=RHLS=ANp RESoII1TInNS.-
The following bills and resolutions
were passed:
Authorizing the construction of rail
road bridge across Fishing Creek, Edge
combe county, n. c.; withdrawing $780,
600 square feet OF land in Honolulu
from the public domain for n cemetery
and mausoleum OF the royal family Of
Hawaii; granting firSt-clasS life-saving
medal to Lieutenant T.. S. Carter, u. S.
N, for saving two lives at Norfolk, Va.
in 1898.
After n brief executive session the
Senate adjourned.
THE HOUSE.
The House was in session only an
hour and Il half to-day, and only minor
business was transacted. The Ways
and Means Committee bill, establishing
tariff rates upon goods from Porto Rico
into the United States and vice versa,
was reported, and Chairman Payne
gave notice that the bill would be called
up next Thursday. The debate upon it
will run for Il week. Mr.. Richardson
of Tennessee, presented the views of
the minority and MIR. Mccall of Mas
sachusetts, presented separate dis
senting opinion.
THE W1SE-YOUNG CONTEST.
MFR. Weeks,of Michigan.took occasion
as matter of personal privilege, to de-
nounce some publication In Virginia