The First Battle/Chapter 2

On February 9th, 1893, the House having under consideration the following resolution:

"Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House proceed to consider H. R. 10143, 'A bill to increase the circulation of national banks and for other purposes,' and if such bill shall not be disposed of on said day, then the consideration thereof shall be continued during the next legislative day."

I made my first speech against unconditional repeal. It is given below:
 * See First Speech Against Unconditional Repeal.

This was the first effort made to secure unconditional repeal, and there was coupled with it a proposition to allow banks to issue notes up to the par value of their bonds and to reduce the tax on circulation. It is significant that in recent years the effort to degrade silver has gone hand in hand with the effort to increase the control of national banks over the issue of paper money.

A little later in the same month, February 27th, an effort was made to secure authority for the issue of short time, low rate bonds. This I believed to be a part of the general plan to secure a legislative declaration favorable to gold and I therefore opposed the measure.

From what had already taken place I felt sure that the great contest over the money question was approaching and after the adjournment of Congress devoted myself to preparation for it. I was not surprised, therefore, when the President called Congress together in extraordinary session on the 7th day of August, 1893. Mr. Wilson of West Virginia, chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, introduced the Administration measure, to which I have heretofore referred, and the great parliamentary struggle began. I then asserted, and still believe, that the debate over the repeal bill was the most important economic discussion which ever took place in our Congress. On the 16th day of August, 1893, near the close of the debate, I delivered the following argument in opposition to unconditional repeal.


 * See Principal Speech Against Unconditional Repeal.

The bill passed the House by a considerable majority and after nearly two months of debate in the Senate, came back to the House with an amendment.

On Nov. 1st, 1893, I again spoke on this question:
 * See Third Speech Against Unconditional Repeal.

I attempted to prevent a vote by making dilatory motions, not in the hope of preventing the passage of the bill but for the purpose of driving the majority to secure repeal without any concession, real or apparent, on the part of the friends of free silver. There were but few, however, who were willing to engage in obstruction and when action could be no longer delayed, I obtained the floor and placed on record the following:
 * See Final Protest Against Unconditional Repeal.

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