The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-07
TO BEAT FREE COINAGE
The Force Bill Is Kept Be-
fore the Senate.
Congressman Brown on
the Situation.
He Thinks the Force Bill Will
Be Defeated.
Republican Senators Anxious
to Drop the Matter.
Bynum VIII Probably Be the Next
Speaker.
Republican Senators Anxious
to Drop the Matter.
Bynum VIII Probably Be the NEXT
Speaker.
BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL, I
No. 1427 Est. y. w. !
WAsHINGroN, d. C.. Jan. 1. !

WASHINGTON, D. C.. Jan. L
Congressman Jason B. Brown was found
at his room at the Riggs house last even
ing Not having entirely recovered from
la grippe, OF which he had very serious
attack last winter. he remains in doors
most of the time. But he is one of the
most industrious members of the house,
and keeps himself we'll informed respect
ing ali matters of general public import
ance, and is held in high esteem by his
associates. In answer to question, "Will
the force bill pass the senator" Mr.. Brown
said:
"0f course that question is one hard 70
answer correctly, but | venture the opin-
ion it will not Ii all the republican SEN
ators were present and vote was taken
on the passage of the bill, perhaps II
would pass by reason of several voting for
it,who really do notfavor il, t,andwho would
be glad if something would occur 10 put
the bill aside in favor Of the many meas
ures OF general public interest which ara
now completely obstructed by it. None
OF the deficiency, nor appropriation bills
have been passed, to say nothing OF
many other measures of almost equal
public importance and necessity. II
seems to me that the present condition OF
affairs in the srnate can not continue
much longer. The republican party in
congress is responsible for the passage Of
all proper and necessary legis alton for the
support of the government. And when
we take into consideration the further
fact, viz: the uncertainties and distressful
financial condition of the country, / think
we can readi reach the conclusion that
soon a sufficient number Of conservative
senators will be found who will not fur
ther hazard absolutely necessary and
needed legislation of the character have
mentioned, and a possible extra session
of congress, TO an uncertain effort 10 pass
the force bill, which by no means has the
united support Of The republican party,
and has verv recently been generally
condemned by the people,"
THAT there is widespread and growing
opinion in the public mind that this bill
is being used TO obstruct the passage of a
free coinage act cannot be denied. and
many circumstances can be stated in sup
port of such opinion. There has BEEN no
!
bill TO bring il to a vote, or TO secure a
vote on any OF its pending amendments.
There are now about one hundred and
fifty amendments offered, or proposed 10
be offered, TO the bill. Neither the
friends of the bill nor The friends of any
of the amendments have made the slight
est effort TO secure a vote on any of them.
Weeks ago the senator having the bill in
charge Informed the senate that the com.
mitt'e would propose amendments which
would relieve the bill of some of its
most obiectional features. None have
been offered by the committee. On the
second day Of the present session of con.
gress, about FIVE weeks ago, this bill was
given the right of way in the senate, aud
during all that time neither the senator
having the bill in charge, nor any friend
of the bill, has attempted 10 bring the
general debate TO a close. None of the
modes or measures heretofore resorted TO
in the senate to close debate on a measure
has been attempted in this instance. Nor,
with a few rare exceptions, has there
been a quorum of republican senators
present during the present session OF con-
gress. These facts tend strongly to show
that the managers OF the bill have some
purpose aud object in view in allowing il
to be so greatly DELAYED without an ehort
the further fact that the managers of this
bill. who, without the slightest effort al
resistance, have allowed it 10 drag its slow
length along are enemies to tree coinage,
almost drives one to the conclusion that
it is being used to defeat free silver, aud,
perhaps, other financial legislation so gen.
orally demanded by the people. Such
would be my unqualified opinion II IL
were not for the fact that Senator Hoar,
who has the bill in charge, said in a
speech IN the senate a few days ago, that
he would consider it dishonorable and un-
fair toward his republican associates,
whether he agreed with them or not on .
financial proposition, to allow the election
bill to be made use of as a means OF pre-
venting anv measure, they desire, being
fully and fairly brought TO the considera-
ton of the senate and acted upon; and
that ne should never think il right TO al
low measure which was IN his charge TO
take a second OF time other than it would
be entitled 10, aud should take, in its own
way. But we shall soon see. The pres
ent condition of affairs in the senate can
not continue much longer. The repnb-
lican free coinage senators are becoming
restless and uneasy, and should one of
them move-whch is not at all unlikely
TO Law aside the force bill and take up a
free coinage bill, the motion would GER
tainly prevail"
Who will be speaker of the Fifty-second
congress?
"You hardly expect me TO answer that
question. l, however, think the next
speaker will be either Bynum of Indiana.
Mills of Texas, or Crisp of Georgia. One
thing l am glad 10 see is the absence OF
sectional feeling in the matter. The de-
sire seems 10 be to get the proper man for
the p ace, regardless of locality. Zach OF
the candidates mentioned has strong aud
active support in all parts of the country
and either one of them would make 9
most acceptable speaker. l shall support
Bynum, and hope 10 see him elected not
mere because he lives in Indiana, but
because ] believe him 10 be deserving of
the o ce, and l know he is capable OF
filling it. And in saying this l know
express the opinion aud desire of every
democratic member of congress from our
fofo