The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-13
Republicans wrest with the Silver Problem

ilcpuUIiCdns Nrtsb w I'LL Tile SILVER PROBLEM
WASHINGTON, April 12.-The Republican
caucus committee having under considera-
ton the question of legislation on the silver
question. had another meeting to-day,
while the subject is being thoroughly dis
cussed with a view of cssfiH5ng at some
common ground upon which all can stand.
Secretary Window was before the commit
tee to-day on invitation. He remained
with the committee about two hours and
engaged in the discussion. He is not dis
posed to lntrude upon his original bill but
he expressed himself as willing TO accent
the terms of the measure reported by the
House committee. The session OF the com
mite lasted until 2 o'clock and then an
adjournment was taken until Monday
morning. No vote was taken on any prop
osition. No conclusion was reached. The
delay in arriving at an agreement appears
10 be caused by the insistence of the ex-
IRENE silver men upon absolute free coin
age. The conservative element favors the
House bill and there is leaven of restrict
i've feeling at work.
The section of the House bill particularly
attacked by the silver men is that making
treasury notes issued in payment for bull
lion redeemable in bullion. They argue
that the effect of this would be to pile up
y q
for the demand of the radical farmers
element for a government warehouse in
which their agricultural products may be
stored, and the governments notes issued
thereon They want treasury notes re-
deemed in lawful money, which may be
procured by coming the bullion purchased.
On this point Secretary Window contented
himself with reterating his preference for
the House provision. He also expressed
bat hoe
ut OF his bill the provision giving him
discretionary authority to suspend bullion
purchases.
The members of the Senate Republican
silver committee have not had a meeting
since Thursday night and the indications
are that they will wait until the House eau
Gus announces its conclusion upon the sub
iect. The committee consists of Senators
Morrill,, Allison, Aldrich, Sherman, Jones
of the committe on finance. and Davis,
Mitchell, Mcmillan, Henderson, Platt,
and Teller. The silver men on this com
mittee are contending for the free coinage
Of bullion produced in the United Sta es
and of Mexican ore smelted in United
States reineries. They say the
entire amount produced in the United
States and Mexico as shown
by the statistics of the treasury depart
ment is 81, U00,0 900 ounces annually all but
100000 ounces being of native production.
This entire amount, they claim, is not as
great at present values as the secretary is
required to purchase by the terms of the
Jones bill. That bill requires the purchase
monthly of silver bullion to the value of
81, 100000, but they admit that the effect of
the passage of the bill would be to in
crease the value of silver. In case they
are unable to secure anything from the
committee more favorable to them than the
terms Of the Jones bill, the silver men will
insist on substantial increase of the
paper currency of the country There are
several suggestions IN the bill of the acom-
mittee respecting this point.
At 4 am. nothing further had been heard
is still alive. The watchers are simply
awaiting the end.