Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-02


De~scr.sic Senator. Confer Ts-Aay.
VARIOUS PROPORTIONS BROUGHT FORWARD AND DE
BATED, But NO ooScLUsrUN REAcHKD-A COMMIT
TEE on okDRR or BUSINESS APPOINTED.
The caucus of democratic Senators reassembled
this morning about 10 O'Clock and the bond-2ur.
chase bill and the pending amendments were de.
bated at length The debate took wide range,
and there was diversity OF opinion. Some Of the
senators advocated the prompt passage Of
the bill as 1t came from the House &c
authorize the Treasury Department by direction
OF the President, to purchase bonds with the sur.
was urged that while the Senate is delaying ths
passage Of the bill financial dangers may threaten
that with the authority proposed to be conferred
the President might be able
TO AVERT A FINANCIAL PANIC
but that should such an emergency arise now O,
very soon, the President could properly charge the
responsibility for disastrous results upon the
Senate.
senator Mcpherson pleaded for the immediate
passage OF the House BILL and advised that the ad.
vOcates of silver greenback legislation bring for
ward their measures separately; that they OuRh,
not to be permitted to weigh down and delay this
But many Of the democratic Senators declared
that they were unwilling to lose such an Oppor-
tunity TO advance the cause Of silver; that Gill t.
extend the use OF silver could not be got out Of the
finance committee, where In the course OF bust
ness it must go, because majority are opposed tc
that currency.
ENOUGH LAW ON THE SUBJECT NOW.
One proposition was that a joint resolution be
adopted declaring 1t the sense Of both Houses Oi
Congress that the existing law confers ample au.
thority upon the Executive Department for the
purchase OF United States bonds. 1t was sargued
that sucn resolution would satisfy the Pres.
same time leave the present question lust where
1t stands, with the opportunity to push through
silver legislation. But this was not satisfactou
bond call by the President, and would make nc
provision for supplying the place Of retired ma
tional bank currency.
amendment TO the bond-purchase bill be amended
SO as to provide that the Secretary
81 81 ,ns the 90 oo Tnre cas- shall in addition
purchase silver bullion out OF the surplus in the
Treasury and issue silver certificates to take the
place OF re.rng national bank notes These propo
tne senator's present taking part, but
NO CONCLUSION WAS REACHED.
NO vote was taken. There was quite strong
sentiment manifested In favor OF an early passage
Of the bill to authorize the purchase of bonds.
The fact that the Administration desires that
may be averted, was commented upon, and some
OF the senators did not think the Administration
ought 10 De embarrassed even to take advantage
OF an opportunity TO advance the cause OF silver.
COMMITTEE ON ORDER OF BUSINESS.
The following committee was appointed to ar
range an order OF business generally: Messrs.
Harris, Cockrell, voorhees,, Coke, Beck, Jones OF
Arkansas, Mcpherson, Morgan, Butler, German.
and Waltnall.
This committee VIII confer with the republican
caucus committee, but their conference will not
embrace the bOnd-purchase bill With regard to
the latter, there is something like cooperation
between the advocates or silver on the democratic
side and those In the republican ranks. There are
senators OF both parties who believe that the ex-
tension OF the use or silver a currency Is para
mount to all other legislation, and they will not
willingly abandon the present opportunity. But
unless they can muster a majority Of the senate
the
CHANCES ARE THAT THE HOUSE BILL WILL BIZ
PASSED.
That Is what the silver men fear. decided ma
Jority Of the republicans favor the passage of the
House bill without amendment. A minority OF
the democrats agree with them, and the patent
TACT that the Administration wants that done
Will increase the number OF democratic votes for
that plan. Another democratic caucus Will be
held at an early day, when some final plan may
be adopted.