Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-17
SILVER LEGISLATION
Must Now Take the Lead of Every
thing in the Senate.
FREE COINAGE MEN IN EARNEST,
But the Administration Has a Measure
They May Have to Swallow,
TO BE CONSIDERED IN CAUCUS TODAY
trRom A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE,


WASHINGTON, Dec. A6.-The elections
bill is so generally looked upon as being
virtually dead that the continued and
laborious efforts of the Democratic Senators
are viewed as one would estimate the fellow
engaged in kicking corpse, as the per-
formance is merely taking time until a
finance bill can be agreed upon.
Senator Morgan was put forward for most
of the exclamation of yesterday and to-day,
as he is the Blaine OF the Democracy-that
is, he is the Senator of the Democrats, who,
like Blaine of the Republicans, can
talk till the crack OF doom without fatigue
and their protest against 'iabriel's blowing
his horn. The galleries have been nearly
emptied the last few days. Most of the occu-
pants are visitors who drop in to have the noted
Senators pointed out to them, and then they
get away from the humdrum debate as though
anxious to save their lives.
The Financial Situation.
There was some further canvassing of the
all-absorbing financial question to-day. Mem
bers of the Senate Finance Committee and
Caucus Finance Committee got their heads
together informally and oyerhauled the differ
ences between the factions. Occasionally
statesman from the House wing would stuck
his head into the circles that formed and broke
away only to form again.
The ultra silver men are somewhat dscon-
certed at the situation. So much has been
granted by Sherman and Window and Har-
rison in the way of liberal purchases of silver
that there is evident disposition with some of
the warMest friends of the administration
among the silver men to desert to that
side and see ,.at. what Ias,,,oe Will be the
now being charged against them that they have
not at any time been, sincere in their demand
for unlimited silver coinage. but they merely
took that radical ground for the purpose OF
urging the conservatives as far in their dlrec-
tion as possible.
Free Coinage Men in Earnest.
This is not true, however, meyer were men
more in earnest than the free coinage men
in their purpose, no matter what their
private individual interests may be. Free sill
yer has melodious sound, something like free
money to Western people OF all conditions,
especially the Alliance element, and to
Senator like Plumb, the voice of the Alli-
ance Is the voice of the political Joss. Other
Western Senators demand free coinage because
silver mines mean meat and drink and rich
toggery, and fast horses and other good things
for them.
As for Senator Cameron, no one knows why.
he is for free coinage, and If he knows why
himself, he will not iell. But whatever their
reasons they are all in dead earnest and with
them are the Democrats, almost unanimously
Southern, and knowing the rank and file of
Cnelr constituents want Tree money more tn2n
anything else in the world.
They May Go Too Far, However.
GIN their earnestness, however, the Repub-
lican free coinage Senators are not blind to
tie fact that the President, Secretary Win
dom, Senator Sherman and others, are devils.
ing a cunning measure, which if rejected
for free coinage bill, will afford
the Chief Executive ample excuse for vetong
the ultra silver legislation on the ground that
the administration plan would afford all the
relief needed without the danger of glut,
and a reaction that would plunge the country
into reckless speculation as might result
from unlimited coinage. and it is just possible
that they may in the end acquiesce and take
on what would be vetoed, in which case they
might secure far less than is now offered.
At any rate. judging from the talk to-day. the
administration bill will probably be accepted all
around at the, caucus tomorrow even
ing, that the election bill may be
laid aside and financial measure
be placed formally before the Senate. In
due time. IL this course be taken. the ultra
silver men will doubtless propose free coinage
as an amendment to the bill under discussion,
and urge none of the various free coinage bills
now in the pigeon holes of the room of the
Committee on Finance.
There appears to be no doubt in the minds of
any of the Senators that the caucus which is
a conclusion on the financial measure and thar
a bill will be introduced before the holiday re-
cess that Congressman in both wings of the
Capitol may digest it with their Christmas
plum pudding and New Year mince pies
LIGHTNER