The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-23
A Club Which He Will Use on
the Free Coinage Bill.
CHANGE NOTICED IN THE HOUSE.
Investigation of the Pool Used to
Make Adverse Sentiment.
While Neither Democrats Nor Repub-
licans Are Pressing the Inquiry, 1t Is
Said That Inside Facts Have Been
Placed Before the President.

WASHINGTON CITY. Jan. 22.-tSpecial l--sena-
tor Sherman sees way of defeating silver legis-
lstion at this session, and it is the present silver
pool investigation which has placed in his hands
the big club with which he proposes to knock
free coinage in the head. During the re-
cent discussion of the financial meas
ure in the Senate Mr.. Sherman
was the mouthpiece for the opposition
70 those whom he denoriinated as sspecu-
lators," but now ne intends TO draw the line on
speculation. and he will do ii at silver bullion,
making transactions in silver certificates q
hefnous ofiense and crime against decency, if
not against the laws of the country. Two or
three days ago he went to President Harrison
aud told him ii was quite impossible for the
administration TO permit free coinage to become
lawful while the present scandal was before the
people. He then gave all of the inside facts OF
the silver pool, giving names and dates
which the investigating committee would
give much TO know. He said he had friend
who knew all about it from personal
knowledge, and this friend was afterward sent
for by the president. He proved TO be the pri-
vate secretary OF prominent Eastern senator,
who has written much on silver aud is called
an expert on the white metal. he also gave
facts and figures, and the president carefully
noted them, and whether he will use them as
reasons for an exercise of the veto power, In
case the bill passes the House, remains to be
seen.
1t is said tonight that the work of the inyesi-
eating committee has already had its effect on
two members of the coinage committee. one of
whom is Vaux of Pennsylvania, who has bcen
counted on as a silver advocate. They are now
believed to be lukewarm in their support, and
able report, hoping to have it go
over TO the next session. On the
ether hand il is whispered tonight
that the investigating committee is heartily
tired of its lob, and would throw it up on the
slightest encouragement from either side
The Democratic friends of silver have seen the
possible effects of the investigation, realizing
that harmless facts viii be distorted into horri-
Bile crimes by the alert gold men, and they have
called upon the Democrats to ease up little
believing that a great injury is being done to
the cause of silver. They see that the court of
inquiry, which was organized with honest mo-
tives, is being turned into weapon against
them. The result is that Democratic members
of the committee are not pressing investigation
so hotly as they were.
The Republicans are also alarmed They ind
that only Republicans are mentioned in connec-
ton with the alleged pool and there is great re-
gret over the fact that Senator Cameron's name
was mentioned in the affair.
More than that, the committee has no proof
that pool existed at all. 1t was hoped to catch
Western silver senators In a trap, but today they
proved conclusively that they had not speculated
in silver or in anything else while in the Senate
1t was tried to make capital out of the presence
in the city OF what the silver coramit-
tee termed lobby by gold bugs, but
Senator Seller and Mr.. Newlands showed them
that the committee was organized TO prevent
speculation in white metal, not to encourage it,
and that it was acting legitimately. That
feature 1.-THE investigation was dropped hastily,
and all indications now point to farcical end
ing of the whole business, and the outlook for
silver is hazy on account of the onfusion that
exists, but the silver men say they viii come out
of the skirmish with an increased force and
clean hands.
The National Silver committee met today, and
received an invitation TO visit Boston, where it
is proposed to hold mass meeting to show that
the recent meeting of capitalists, which adopted
resolutions against free coinage, did not express
the sentiments OF the people of Massachusetts,.
Judge Edward Curtis was appointed commit
tee to wait upon the labor organizations and
the Farmers Al lance, now III session
in Washington City. TO ask their assistance for
free coinage. They said they favored the bill
passed by the Senate, and at their meeting to-
morrow night they promise to pass resolution
defining their position exactly. They also said
they would cali upon the Southern delegations
i'll congress and ask for unanimous and speedy
action In favor of the measure.