Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-17
THE SILVER QUESTION.
The Republican Committees Thereon "in
Hole"
fBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l

fBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON. April 16.-Thc House Re-
publican cnmmittee on the silver question
held a meeting this morning and heard the
report Of che subcommittee appointed 70
confer with the subcommittee OF the
Senate Republican committee, with view
to coming to some agreement as basis
for the passage of the silver bill. The
subcommittee reported that it had been
agreed 10 provide for the purchase OF four
and half million ounces of silver every
month, the certificates issued in payment
thereof to be redeemable IN lawful money
At FIRST, II is said. the members Of the full
committee wore inclined 20 accept aud adopt
this basis and voted to do So Afterwards, how
ever In discussing tho manner ofredeemnR the
Certificates a sentiment was developed In favor
OF making them redeemable In bullion. This
proposition vas advocated by majority OF the
committee and the subcommittee was Instruct
ed TO again confer with the Senate sub-com-
mittee aud endeavor 10 induce them 10 agree TO
provide for tho redemption OF certificates IN ac-
cordance with the Views OF the House Commit
toe.
I'm conversation upon tho subject when the ac-
ton OF the House committee was under conside-
ration that no ouch agreement az that would be
recommended by hts vote. He said he did not
belve there were five senators who favored the
redemption Of certificates In bullion. They
should To redeemed. as was agreed yesterday,
In lawful money. That gave an option 10 the
Government as 10 what form OF money II would
take up the certificates in-goid or silver or
legal tenders-but IL must b5 lawful money.
A senator said that IL w6s expected at nrst
that the cost OF the silver purchased would be
less thaA four and half millions Of dollars a
month but that under the operation OF the bill
the price would be enhanced, so that In short
time the cost OF silver would reach and probably
eurpass that sum. IL Is also expected, he said.
that for q time at least other silver than the pro-
duct OF the mines OF the United States will be
necessary ~ make up the full amount OF the
monthly purchase. Another senator said II was
RAPIDLY becoming manifest that an agreement
must DO reached by the Republicans else pro-
position would DO made for unlimited free coin
age and would pass both houses OF Congress.
THE sUB-coMMITTEEs FAIL TO AGREE.
Tho meeting Of the subcommittee this after
noon was productive Of no result The House
members presented the proposition contained
In the bill as reported by the Committee on
Coinage, Weight5. and Measures, making GER
tifcates issued for the purchase OF bullion re-
deemable in bullion, the amount TO be fixed by
the market price on the day the certificates are
presented. This was not acceptable 70 the sena-
torial members. however, although some Of
them are willing. in order 10 reach a conclusion,
10 add O proyiso. that, in the discretion OF tho
Secretary OF the Treasury, the certificates might
be redeemed in bullion. But this restriction or
limitation did not meet the views or the House
members aud tho committee separated. The
Senate silver committee will not meet again
until Friday morning, as several members will
be out Of the city tomorrow.