Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE GATHERING OF MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS STILL SLOW.
Teller and Harris on the Financial situa-
tion-Denocratic House Caucus satur-
day .ight-Gsneral Notes.
IBy telegraph TO the Dispatch ]

WASHINGTON, August 2.-One nundred
and forty-nine thousand ounces of sill
yer were offered for sale TO the Trea-
sury Department to-day at prices ranging
from III TO .7l5O per ounce. oil Of
which was declined and .7o90 ten
dered. At o'clock this evening the
Acting Director of the Mint had re-
ceiyed 10 reply to his counter-offer, but
he stated that he believed that the price
would be accepted by the holders for the
total Offering Of 10000 ounces. The hold
ers were in the West and he probably
would not hear from them before tO-mor-
row morning.
Members of Congress continue TO come
in very slowly. and there was some doubt
expressed to-day as 20 whether there would
be majority OF Democrats IN town IN
time for the caucus. which is set for Satur-
day night at 5 O'Clock. Two or three tele-
grams were sent 10 Chairman Holman last
night and to-day to secure his authority
TO ISSUE the call. and tonight authority
was received by Representative Robert
son. Of Louisiana. There were tonight
not more than forty members of the lower
house IN the city and less than score Of
senator's.
TELLER on SILVER.
Among the latter Senator Teller Is the
most recent arrival. and he comes fresh
from tue West, ready 20 take up the hight
for silver where he dropped 1t at the close
of the last session. He sees no menace to
the country IN the existence OF the Sher-
man law. although he admits thatlt Is not
what he wanted when 1t was passed. He
Is emphatic IN his opinion that it cannot
be repealed, at least without some substl-
tute. and says that some months Will
elapse before the law IS wiped from the
stafute-books.
- Speaking of the subject generally, Mr..
TelIer says that the people of this country
are not afraid of the currency, and 1t Is
not that fear That has caused the present
coItlItion. That they have full confidence
In tle currency IL evidenced, he thinks, by
the fact that they are boarding it away
and keeping il IN all sorts of safe
PLACES, thus withdrawing 1t from circu-
latipD. We're they afraid OF the currency.
as Y argued BY the opponents Of silver,
MIR. Teller says, the people would show
their tlmidlty by getting rid OF II and
making investments i'll something else.
But this Is not what they are doing. Mr.
TeBer lays the whole trouble at the door
of the bankers. who. be says, for the pur-
pOsb OF forcing an issue of bonds and
creating sentiment favorable TO the repeal
Of the Sherman act, worked up general
scare and sought to establish general
feeling of dIstrust.
PROBABLE SENATE ACTION.
Senator Harris said to-day that the
Senate Finance Committee was ready TO
90 TO work on the subject at o moments
nOtlce. His personal views a. TO the re-
suit Of an attempt TO repeal the law he re-
fused TO give, but added that everybody
knew he was q friend TO silver as money
metal. Mr.. farrIs and Senator Voorhees,.
Chairman of the Finance CommIttoe. had a
long conference yesterday. during which,
IL 10 supposed. they mapped out plan Tor
the work Of that committee. Mr.. Harris
believes there will be a great many mea-
sHras introduced. and that the majority Of
them will probably be in the nature Of
compromises looking 10 an increase in tEe
ratio with q provision for the free coinage
OF silver.
TIP sBNATE OFFICES.
II is probable that the Democratic men,
bers Of the Senate may caucus about the
middle of the week % determine the dis
tribution of patronage under the Secretary
Of the Senate AMI the SergeaAt-at-Arm
but No call for that purpose has yet been
lssucd. There may be little delay IN
this. owing 10 the fact that the courtesy
which exists among senators Will require
them 20 await the action of the Republi-
cans 10 determining what meu shall be
kept as the representatives, OF the NIL
nOrty.
ADMISSION OF SENATOR'S.
among the first things 10 come before
the senate will be the question OF the ad-
mission OF senators. the case OF MIR. Lee
Mantle, appointed senator from Montana
to succeed Air. Sanders, being now before
the Senate and ready 10 be called up at
any time in accordance with the motion OF
Mr.. Hoar at the close of the last session.
This is a question of the highest privilege
and NAV take up the time Of the Senate
for quite awhile.
8oRID's-FAIR ECONOMIZING.
Tho Treasury Department is taking mea-
sures to curtall the expenses OF the Ma
tlopal Commission and the Board Of Lady
Managers at the Worlds Fair. 1t is stated
that both of these bodies have been aud
are now IN session unnecessarily. thus ln-
volvIng large running expenses. Both
bodies have executive Committees author
lied 10 transact any business demanding
urgency. and it Is therefore cOntended
that 1t is not necessary for both or either OF
them 10 remain In session at this time.
Secretary CarIisles attention has been
called 10 the large expense thus incurred,
and recommendations have been made 10
him looking to the curtaiiing of the eX-
penses OF both these bodies.
YELLow-JAcK BARRED OUT.
Surgeon General Wyman, of the Marine
Hospital Service, to-day received tele-
gram from Surgeon HarGis, at Pensacola,
Fla, stating that the Spanish steamer
Leonora, which arrived at the quarantine
station there on the 22d of July from
Cuban ports. brought two sick seamen,
VINO were admitted to the quarantine hos
pital. Their disease developed into yell
low-fever. The steamer was sent 10 Chan
deleur station this morning, and the ply
scans. nurses, and SICK were isolated and
all preventive measures taken.