Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-12-16
SECRETARY wipaom,. prono.;,,o,
CONSIDERED BY THE CAUCUS.
A Long Discussion and Nothing Definit
Agreed ITnan

Long Discussion and Nothing Definite
Agreed Upon.
The Republican senators met in caucus
at the residence of Senator Mcmillan at
night and remained in session for more
than three hours. They adjourned TO meet
again Wednesday night without coming
TO definite conclusion on any of the prop.
ositions under discussion but after inei-
eating the probable fate of several of them
Sherman laid before the caucus the pron-
ositton of the caucus committee and the
proposition of Secretary Window. The
caucus proposition included clause-not
mentioned in the neutrality-suspicious.
that when silver shall have remained at
par Tor year any holder of silver NAV
bring 1t to the mint and have it coined into
silver dollars at the expense of the gov
eminent
Opposition to Bond Issues.
The caucus considered both the PROPOSE
ZION OF secretary Window and the promo.
sltlon OF the caucus committee at length.
Inc discussion turned principally on the
proposition TO issue 500, 600 OSO of Q Der
cent. bonds The committee proposition
differs from the proposition of the secre-
tary on this point in that the secretary
wishes the bonds to be made intercon-
vertible, while the proposition of the
committee Is that these bonds be used for
the retirement of bonds now in circula-
ton. 1t was stated that the secretary
would be willing to accept a fifteen wear
bond or thirty year bond Arguments
were made against the proposition to
issue bonds, on the ground that their issue
would in no way relieve the situation.
On the other hand, il was said. the pro
posed issue would increase the national
debt So, 900, 600
What the Test Votes Indicated,
There were several test votes taken ON
motions associated with the bond clause
which indicated very clearly that la,pe
majority of senators present were opposed
TO the issue of any bonds. The proposed
purchase of L, COZ, 900 ounces of silver was
discussed, and motions were made, but not
put TO vote, to increase the amount to he
purchased to 100000 ounces, and to sub
stitute for this proposition provision for
the increase of the monthly purchases of
silver under the present law from 4. 800 OOO
ounces to 100000 ounces. There was
difference of opinion when the caucus adj
Journed as to the probable fate of this
proposition to purchase silver
Views of Free Coinage Men.
One free coinage senator said that there
was little doubt that if anything was
agreed to it would be the purchase of r.
oOo,oOO ounces, while another free-coinape
senator said that he believed the caucus
would agree to increase the regular month
ny purchases. 1t was argued by the silver
senator's in the caucus that the senate
must eventually come to free coinage. if
not at this session, then at the next session
OF congress, and they urged that the sem
ate accept the inevitable and agree to free
coinage now
What VIII Likely BE Agreed to.
There seems but little doubt that the
proposition 10 purchase silver and issue
treasury notes on it to replace the uation-
al bank notes retired will to agreed to.
and also the proposition to lave free COIN
age IL silver remains at par Tor year,
the advocates of free coinage
say that the latter proposition is of value
only as indicating the sentimentin favor of
lree coinage. They say that If free coinage
Is had it will be by direct legislation.