Evening journal., 1890-12-16
FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF.
Window and Republican Sena-
tors Discuss Schemes.
FREE SILVER COINAGE PROBABLE

Most Of the Senators Are Against the seo-
retasy's Plan for the Issue of $780,
0OO,O00 In New Bonds-The BusIness
Done at an Important Conference.
WASHINGTON, Dec 16-The Republican
senators met in caucus at the residence Of
Senator Mcmillan last night and remained
in session for more than three hours. They
adjourned TO meet again Wednesday night
without coming to a definite conclusion on
any Of the propositions under discussion.
but after indicating the probable fate OF
several Of them. Senator Sherman laid
before the caucus the proposition OF the
caucus committee and the proposition OF
Secretary Window. The caucus consid-
cred both at length. The discussion turn
ed principally on the proposition to issue
slo0,OOO,OO0 OF per cent. bonds The com
mittee proposition differs from the propo-
sition OF the secretary on this point in that
the secretary wishes the bonds 10 DO made
interconvertible, while the proposition OF
the committee is that these bonds be used
for the retirement OF bonds now In eircu
lation. IL was stated that the secretary
would be willing to accept a fifteen year
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, it was said, the proposed issue
would increase the national debt 81, 900 600
Opposed to the Issue Of Bonds.
There were several test votes taken on
motions associated with the bond clause,
which indicated very clearly that large
majority Of the senators present were OPP
posed TO the issue Of any new bonds. The
proposed purchase OF 100000 ounces OF
silver was discussed and motions were
made, but not put 20 a VOTE to increase the
amount to be purchased to Is, ,000, 900 ounces,
and to substitute for this proposition a pro-
vision for the increase OF the monthly pur-
chases of silver under the present law from
4,5O0,00O ounces TO :, 100000 ounces.
The silver Purchase Question.
There was difference OF opinion when
the caucus adjourned as to the probable
fate OF this proposition to purchase silver.
Ono free coinage senator said there was
little doubt that if anything was agreed
to it would be the purchase OF 1900, 900
ounces, while another free coinage senator
said that he believed the caucus would
agree to increase the regular monthly pur-
chases. Il was argued by the silver sena.
tors in the caucus that the senate must
eventually come to FREQ coinage-if not at
this session then at the next session Of con
gress-and they urged that the senate ac-
cept the inevitable and agree to free coin
age now.
Free Coinage for Year.
There seems but little doubt that the
proposition TO purchase silver and issue
treasury notes on IL 70 replace the national
bank notes retired will be agreed TO- and
also the proposition 70 have free coinage if
silver remains at par for a year. although
the advocates Of free coinage say that the
latter proposition is OF value only as indi-
eating the sentiment in favor Of free coin
age. They say that II free coinage Is had
it will be by direct legislation. The caucus
did not get down to the discussion Of the
question of laying aside the elections bill
and the rule for declaring the previous
question, which was under consideration
when the last caucus adjourned, wns not
reached. There was full attendance.