The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-12-13
FINANCIAL RELIEF.
The Cabinet Discusses the None
tary Situation.
DEMANDS OF THE SILVER MEN.
Practically Free Coinage viii Be Insisted
Upon-secretary Window Goes to New
York to Discuss Various Plans

to THE HERALD. The special Senate com
1nittee appointed to consider some measure
OF financial relief, held their first meeting
to-day. Two of the pronounced silvermen,
DIR. Jones, of Nevada, and Mr.. Plumb, of
Kansas, were absent. In view of this fact
LII. Mitchell, Of Oregon, asked that no bus
ness be done until ne should be reinforced
by their presence. He explained that Mr..
Plumb, whom business has called to Phila-
delphia, would be present tomorrow, but
stated that Mr.. jones' return was very in
definite. He requested, therefore, that an
other gentleman who represented The silver
idea as strongly as the Nevada Senator
should be appointed to fill the vacancy. He
suggested the name of Mr.. Teller, of Colo
RADIO, q selection which was at once agreed
to. The committee did nothing to-day of
practical interest; they remained in session
one hour and quarter. There was a gen
eral exchange Of opinions, but nothing
more. The eastern men showed a dispo-
sition TO agree to the purchase of the
surplus silver estimated at ABOUT thir-
teen million ounces, but intimated that
this was as far as they could go.
Some of them in fact said they would not
90 this unless assurances were given them
that no further legislation would be asked
of Congress. The silver men will not be
content with this. They not only want the
surplus product absorbed but they want a
material increase in the monthly purchases
of silver as well.
asked one Of their number today, a
Senator who will exert a strong influence
at tomorrow and the subsequent meet
ings, how much increase they desired. He
could not say, he replied, but it must be
material Half million ounces a month,
suggested. more, a million at least, . was
the serious reply. I asked if that would
not be practical free coinage. He nodded
his head approvingly and said that they
would agree TO no compromise that was
much short Of that point
At to-morrow's meeting propositions and
counter-propositions will be very plentiful.
MIR Power, of Montana, who represents a
silver state but who is less extreme than
the majority Of his Rocky mountain col
leagues, will offer compromise in the form
OF an amendment to the Sherman bill
which he hopes viii be accepted Mr..
Teller viii put forward measure so will
Nlr. Mitchell and possibly several others.
The eastern men are not saying much; they
are waiting to see what the opposition viii
he when they state their ultimatum.
Senator Teller, of Colorado, who is, with
the exception of MIR. Plumb, the most ad
vanced silver man in the chamber, told me
tonight that he had little hope the confer
eDce would accomplish anything. He see:
no middle ground between the ultra con
servatism OF the 'gold bugs" and the frec
coinage advocates. Ii no compromise bC
reached he viii favor the introduction o.
a free coinage bill and that, too, without
further delay. He is beginning to believe
that continued debate on the force bill i.
part Of the scheme Of the eastern men +,
delay silver legislation. He says if some
thing is not done with the bill by the frs
of next week, the silver men viii NOV,
thatit be laid aside and the Senate proceed
TO the consideration of some of the pend
ing financial questions The Democrats
VINO viii embrace any opportunity to Ri
themselves even temporarily of the hate
force bill, will gladly join with them ant
their united efforts viii be sufficient to &C
compish their purpose. Even the pros
pect Of a presidential veto vii
not be sufficient TO prevent the pas
sage Of a free coinage bill. Tn
silver men say that the execut We
may do as he pleases. If ne chooses to vet
a free coinage bill, he alone is responsible
they will have done their duty in passin
il and sending it to him. OF course il
reaching this conclusion the western Sen
ators are counting upon concurrent actio
by the House. What that body would d
with a free coinage measure IS problemat
cal. Last session Speaker Reed so mar
aged matters as to prevent the adoption c
the free coinage amendment which cam
over from tie Senate. He will use his hes
efforts to bring about similar result a
this session. He may again succeed, bu
the silver men think not.
The financial situation was the subject c
al extended discussion at the cabinet NEE
ing to day. President Harrison and Seer,
tary Window both agreed that it would b
well to purchase the surplus silver on til
market, but the generally expressed opin
ion was that the administration could Ell
courage no further movement in the dire,
ton OF silver legislation. Secretary Wiz
dom left for New York this evening to n
main until Sunday. His purpose, IT is b.
heved, is to consult with leading Wa
street men regarding the pending strins
ency ana obtain their views as to the bes
plan OF relieving it.