The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-06
SCHEMES OF SILVER MEN.
EFFORTS TO TACK FREE SILVER
TO PREPARATIONS

The Plan 50 Far Pals to Nsterisiiye--
Rumor About the Force Biil- g
coinage Legi.lstion-Cspita News snd
/ Giea iings Generally.
WASHINGTON. u. c., Fob. g.. special 7
The friends Of tree SILVER are alert aud sil l.
lant They are watching every point Ia tho
financial game now 5einr played win tixed
purpose to force vote In some shape on
silver. senator Stewart had prepared a
free coinage proposition with the intention
OF Offering it as an amendment 10 tho
Pension Appropriation bill In. tho
senate. Tins course was seriously
considered by several II The free silver Scna-
tors, but the cooler and perhaps wiser heads
disapprOyed il. In Ga inst place. they
pointed out that under the rules Il would
be difficult to attach financial provision 10
Pension Appropriation bill. senator
stewart replied: I'VE can DO IL with ma
Joriiy Vote" Rut other senators equally az
earnest In behalf OF free silver, but
more c8utious add polite than stewart. OBJ
Jected. In the Senate general legislation
can be attached 10 appropriation bills, but
II must be germane to the su0ject matter.
10 Is true that majority could Oyerrule "A
decision OF the chair ana thus tasten any
reasonable proposition upon an apprOpria-
tion bill; hut there is decided
sentiment against any wide depar-
ture from existing practice. About
ten years ago both the senate and House
changed their rules so as Ia make them
more rigid as 10 general legislation upon
appropriation bills. In the House IL was
forbidden. The senate rules were not ma ic
50 rigid, but they plainly dlscountenanccd
this method OF legislation. This plan was
adopted with the unanimous consent OF both
parties, and now there are few Senators
willing TO make any wide departure. which
would establish an unwise precedent.
This was one consideration which in-
duced an Abandonment Of the stewart plan.
Another consideration not less potent was
based entirely upon policy. IL was, in ef-
lect, that any amendment which threat
ened the success ot the Pension bill, or even
threatened to delay II. would arouse indg-
nation among the eN.Union soldiers. In
snort, That the Pension Appropriation bill
should be held too sacred TOO Justify any at
lempis through it q olcib e. legislation,
even IN behalf nfa mpasIro 81 generally
popular as the silver bill
senator Stewart said this evening tha.
The plan, though iaid aside sp Tar as the
Pension blll was concerned. had not been
entirely abandoned thnt the attempt could
De- made 10 amend some other arpropfil-
iion bill. But for the reasons already gwen.
and bee use 90 thr sirnng s,uinnnt Ia the
senate 100 favor @ d etrictng appropriation
bills o. their natural and legitimate spheres
md functions, 30 i, dlub.tul II any
such Sc emo can be made suc-
cess. NGi many years L.l fls practice
Was ID make appropriation hili, ihr vehicle
ot all sorts ot legi,lltau aua % ltd to sd
many abuse, that Dog common consent a.
vas prohibited. Tine hnps, cd tu. silver
men now depend upon their urad ml-
Jnrtv in ihe House. n, ly tuY ..aihle
means, motion llr llp di-rhaf-. Oi the
Coinage Committee can boz got before iha
House there Is uo doubt of lbs adoption.
SCHEME IL FAVOR on FREE COINAGE.
The senate Free COINAGE hlll which -.na-
Tor stewart yesterday offered as un amend
ment t0 the Pension Appropriation nill viii
not Dee pressed in lt- nt" iODm. Sir stew
ut- object iu preparing thr h.li /. tnr l0fm
uf AN amendment WIS GOO take Do UUt uf ihe
nnnds 90 ihe Coinage 1ommitte, Oi ihs
llunsr, which Is not Yet decided when aNeto
snail bee taken ou toe measure in the CONE
mittee. The silver men have come 90 the
conclusion it itapafilles silver placed in ,
the Way OF speedy action 100 lhe Pension
pill, and Mr.. >te"art has agreed % Oe
guided by their advice.
Mr. Forbes, of New York. addressed fho
H0us' Committee o1 COMA .e Weights and
Measures to-day On the effect of silver lp1i,-
lttlon ca the business interest, Of ne
country. Ihe question of closing Doe h-lr-
ing and fixing diF CD vote on o.. SILVER
'ili was brought up tnd .ne rise tn % long
discussion. Adjourned lll tomorrow.