The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-08-21
Special to the REcoRp.Ux1ox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-Half a month
of the special session of Congress has
passed, and the third week of the finan-
cial contest opened with both parties con-
fident but with many significant changes
in the situation. Republican Senators
from silver States have reiterated with
greater emphasis their loyalty to the silver
cause, while Voorhees,, with free coin
age record of twenty years, has surprised
his former friends by declaring for the
unconditional repeal of the Sherman Act.
Thus the disappointment which the re-
peal men experienced when Vest of Mis-
souri, so emphatically declared for free
coinage, and against unconditional repeal,
has been more than an offset by the ac-
cession to their ranks of VOORHEES,.
But the free coinage men of the Senate
are still resolute and determined, and no
one familiar with the situation can hope
for final settlement of the question in
the Senate without an almost endless dis
cussion extending through many weeks
and votes upon innunerable PROPOSE
tons to be submitted by the silver men
in case Of the defeat OF this leading pro-
position.
1t is not improbable that the coming
week may see bill to permit national
banks to increase the issue of bank notes
forced to vote in the Senate, and the in
dications are it will receive a majority
vote.
In the House last weeks discussion
brought but little to encourage the free
coinage people. Congressman Bryan,
one of their eloquent leaders, has spoken,
and his speech elected the highest praise,
but it is doubted by many whether even
such able efforts could change many votes
in the House now, so little does the stu
alton depend upon the argument of past
predictions.
Congressman Bryan, who, by common
consent, was accorded the place of chief
lieutenant to Chairman Bland, gave the
following estimate the situation: 1.-THE
canvass was not sufficiently complete to
make an accurate statement as to the vote
in the House. l am satisfied, however,
that maiority Of members Of the House
favor free coinage at the same ratio
{ lost advocates Of free coinage are in ia
VOr at present of ratio of 16 to l, but
others favor other ratios, running as high
as - to !. The propositions submitted to
the House do not go higher than 20 to l,
but if no agreement is reached the friends
OF free coinage will still oppose uncondi-
tiOnal repeal, hoping to secure some af-
firmative legislation after the committees
are organized when the matter comes be-
fore Congress again. 1t is not only pos
sible. but probable, therefore that uncon-
ditiOnal repeal will be defeated, even if
the silver men fail to carry the free coin
age or Bland law. / believe the senti-
ment in its favor is increasing, and from
letters / have received am satisfied the
growth of sentiment is not confined to
the West What do l think of uncondi-
tioual repeal, with a declaration of BIZ
metalism? Let me answer the question
by asking another. Would Jury acouit
man charged with murder because the
prisoner had left note saying he fully
intended To return and resuscitate the
victim?"
Wilson of West Virginia declined to
give any estimate of the vote at the end of
the discussion, and referred the cues
toner to Congressman Tracey of New
York, who had charge ofthe canvass, and
who Is really recognized as the leader of
repeating forces. I'VE have made can
vass," said General Tracy, land the re-
suit has convinced us that we have a
clear majority on every proposition,
after conceding to our opponents twenty
five doubtful votes. There is no doubt
that unconditional repeal will pass, and
every proposition and ratio proposed bv
the silver people will be defeated by
substantial vote. There can be no doubt
as to result, and the Sherman Act will be
Internationally repealed"
EX-Speaker Reed, leader of the Re
publicans, declined to give any estimate of
the result, or express any opinion. saying
he had not yet decided whether he would
even speak on the question or not.
Congressman Jerry Simpson, leader of
the Populist members in the House, has
taken a great deal of satisfaction out of
the embarrassing situation in which the
two old parties find themselves. Simp-
son said OF the situation: 1T is my opin-
ion that the sherman law will be repealed
only on condition that we have free coin
age at a ratio of one to twenty, or may be
less, which l presume Cleveland will
veto. Now, as 10 the effect on the politi-
cal parties, it is difficult to forecast with
any accuracy. One thing seems certain,
and that is that the Democratic party is
going TO divide on this money question.
which l think will eventually land the
free-coinage men in the Peoples party.
Now that this revolution is started. there
is no telling where it will stop-surely
not short of a complete reorganization OF
the political parties and the adoption of
q sweeping reform in our financial sys-
TEN. The number of unemployed are
increasing at the rate of thousands every
dav, and it is likely half the Iaboring
class will be out of work before the Win
ter is upon US, and the agricultural com
munitv will find themselves without
market for their products, all of which
will set them thinking. and as sure as
fate, if they once start to reason things
out, it means humiliation of one or the
other of the old parties, for they will be
held responsible for the ills the people
suffer"
1t is the expectation of the free coinage
men in the House that whatever will be
the result of the various votes on repeal,
conditional or unconditional, on the 18th,
the Senate viii within a short time pass
the VOORHEES, bill TO increase the volume
OF national bank notes and send the