The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-11
COINAGE OF SILVER.
Republican Congressman Discuss it
in Caucus.

IN caucus.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-two days'
notice secured full attendance for the eau
Gus of the Republican representatives to-
night. The object of the call, as announced
by Representative Dlngley of Maine, who
presided, was the arrangement of an order
of business for the remainder OF the session,
but it soon transpired that the silver prob
lem was of such engrossing interest as to
throw other matters into the background.
The subject was broached by Chairman
Conger of the coinage committee, who
recently reported the modified Window bill.
He explained in detail the provi ions
of the bill, noted the changes that had been
made in Secretary Windows original plan
by the committee, and gave the reasons for
making them. He believed that the meas
ure was strong and calculated TO meet the
public demand for a more liberal supply of
money. 1t was highly exuedient that the
republicans should agree upon some measure
of this kind so as to present a united front
when the subject came up for discussion In
the House.
NEW STATE HEARD.
A representative from one Of the new
western states spoke of the necessity for
speedy action upon the subject of silver.
He was for free coinage, and declared that
it could be established without danger and
with great benefit to this country and the
whole world. Representative Walker of
Massachusetts,, a member OF the coinage
committee, advised the republicans to sup
port the committee bill. 1t would practi-
cally afford all of the advantages of free
coinage, and would not appear to be so
radical departure from a conservative
course as would a declared free coinage
bill.
1t had by this time become evident that a
well-spring of oratory had been opened that
threatened to overflow other objects for
which the caucus had been called, so rule
was adopted limiting speeches to five min
utes each. But this did little good, as the
members interested soon adopted the famil-
lar device of getting friend TO secure recs
ognition in order to yield his time.
THE SENATE COMMITTEES PLAN.
In the course of the debate the Senate
committees proposition to coin $4, SOC, 900
of silver monthly was discussed. and it was
not without adhederents, who made point
by declaring that coinage to this amount
would consume the entire annual product
of the American mines, and must, there
fore, satisfy any one who wished free coin
age in practice without reference to theory.
One of the objections made to the House
committee bill was that there was
no inducement for any one to sell
silver to the treasury at the market
price, as he could more readily sell it at the
nearest market to individuals. To this en-
swer was made that the beneficial effect
would still obtain; that the price Of silver
would be steadied and kept at the maxi
mum.
A feature Of the debate was the remarka-
bic strength of the free coinage men, and as
an eastern member expressed it, the House
is apparently restrained from passing free
coinage bill only from fear Of a presidential
veto. ~ N
The caucus lasted until IL o'clock and
all of the time was consumed in discussion
of the silver question.
Messrs. Mckinley and Cannon took a
prominent part in the debate, the former
championing the House committee bill aud
the latter showing decided leaning toward
a compromise between the two views rep
resented by the House and Senate PROPOSE
tions. No attempt was made totake direct
vote upon any proposition except one which
which was adopted, providing for the ap-
pointment of n committee of sixteen, to in
ciude the republican members of the COIN
age committee, which is to consider the en-
tue subject, consult with the republican
Senate committee and endeavor TO arrange
a definite project for the consideration OF
the caucus, which will meet again next
Monday night.
SENATORS IN CONFERENCE.
The committee of republican senators
charged with the duty of framing & silver
bill, if possible, that shall secure tho united
support of a majority in the Senate held
another meeting tonight at the residence
of Senator Sherman. At late hour they
were still in session and the result Of their
deliberations, if one was reached, could not
be learned. 1t Is believed that nothing
definite was accomplished and that
at least one more meeting will be
necessary to enable the members to
harmonic the difference of opinion that
exists among them. There are two PROPOSE
tions before the committee which are re-
ceiving especial attention; first. to authorize
unlimited coinage of silver bullion produced
in the United States; second, TO limit the
amount of silver TO be coined at $50, 000, 900
per year, to be purchased by the Secretary
of the Treasury without regard to the place
of production. An impression prevails that
the latter proposition will be finally adopted
and recommended as the basis upon which