The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-13
Democrats Attempting to Choke
OF an Investigation.
REPUBLICANS DEMAND IT.
Sensational Matters in the Case Were
Revealed in Secret Session.
Hxtrs Session Talk 10 Bia1 so Mako
People Believe That Tariff VIM BE
1smodsled-Ne Civilians for In.
dian Agents.

WAsn1SeroH CIrT. April 11-fspecial. +
There are some inside facts in relation to
the action of the Democratic senatorial
caucus today which did not come to the
surface until late tonight. The action
taken by the majority in the senate is inn
portant In the matter of the Roach case
the caucus decided that there should be no
Investigation. It was determined that alb
sent Democratic members should be sent
for, 20 as to secure . quorum of Demo
Gratis. This done, the programme will be
TO introduce . resolution directing the
committee on privileges and elections to
make inquiry and report at the next ses-
sion of congress whether it has authority
to investigate the Roach trouble. Follow
ing Immediately upon the Introduction of
this resolution, according to the pro-
gramme, . Democratic senator will move
to lay the resolution on the table.
Under the rules debate is cut of
by the last named motion. and
the Democrats having q majority and
quorum. wilfthus be enabled to practically
postpone the Roach investigation until
next December. because it is quite certain
there will be no extra session. The talk
from the Democratic side of an extra ses.
sion is simply for the purpose of leading
the people to believe that the Democrats
intend to do something with the tariff,
while it is q matter of tact that their plan
is to postpone action with respect to the
tariff as long as possible. Several Demo-
cratic senators have stated in conversation
that if vote were taken on the direct
question Of an immediate investigation of
the Roach case they would be- in favor of
1t. It is known that at least six Demo-
cratic senators are in favor of such an in-
vestigation. The charges against Mr..
Roach are Of such . character as to arouse
indignation among some of the high-tenl-
pered and high-strung senators from the
South, and they do not Believe that such
question should be made matter of party
consideration. On the Republican side
there is no disposition to attempt to deprive
Mr.. Roach of his seat. The only object is
to have the proper committee make in
quiry and report. 1t is presumed that the
Republicans who have handled the Roach
matter will resist the Democratic pro-
gramme at every point. The Republicans
will insist that whatever action or dis
cussion IL taken snaQ occur in open ses-
sion, while the Democrats will doubtless
attempt to carry out their programme in
secret session. Yesterdays two hours de-
bate in executive session revealed some
startling conditions, and if it had taken
place In open session, SO that the news
papers could have gotten the facts, it
would have been the biggest sensation for
many months. Several newspapers this
morning gave what purported TO be a re.
port of yesterdays secret session proceed
ings. but it was all guess work. As the
matter now stands the Democrats have the
power to choke of an investigation if they
determine to use it. Mr.. Roach will not
be permitted to make statement, and un-
less the Republicans succeed in outgeneral-
ing tho Democrats future proceedings in
the Roach case will be with closed doors.
The Star has this: It was rumored on
the stock exchange in New York today
that s., ,OO0. 600 in gold will be shipped on
next Saturday or Tuesday. 1t is not prob
able that this sum will 60 out. but should
half that amount he needed it will be
necessary for the secretary of the treasury
to utilize a small part of the $lOO, ,OOO.-
600 gold reserve. No bonds will be issued,
as the feeling exists that Secretary Carlisle
will not hesitate to dip into the gold re-
serve if necessary. Should the secretary
find himself called upon to use the gold
reserve it is thought the banks will at once
come to the rescue of thesdepartment.
The action of Secretary Carlisle in
refusing to purchase the Bowling
Green site in New York CITY
for custom house and in declining to ac-
cept the Chestnut street site in Philadel-
phia for the United States mint, are taken
as an indication Of his policy In regard to
the erection of public buildings, which is
understood to be to defer entering upon
any costly public works in the present
condition of the treasury. It is generally
believed that Col. Lamont, who, as secre-
tary Of war. will have charge of the rivers
and harbors expenditures, will follow on
this same line Of action. Between the two
departments the payments of sums aggre-
eating between $50, 900. 900 and $75. 600. 900
year can be easily deferred, without ham,
pering the public service, until the treas
ury surplus begins to grow again.
Extraordinary effoIts will be made to Sc
cure adiu dication upon the Chinese exclu-
sion act by the supreme court at this term.
The matter has been the subject of corre-
United States and China, and at the re-
quest of the state department the depart
ment Of justice has completed the neces-
sary preliminaries in conjunction with the
counsel of the Chinese government and Its
subjects in this couLtry. Under the terms
of the Geary law a case 10 determine the
validity of the act cannot be begun until
May 5. In ordinary circumstances il is
impossible TO bring test case before the
supreme court of the United States before
adjournment for summer recess. but by
concurrent sanction OF all the parties in
terested, which has been secured in view of
the important international character of
the questions involved. the standing of the
law will be decided within a few weeks,
thus obviating long, tedious and expensive
litigation. The arrangement entered into
contempiates the arrest Of Chinese laborer
in New York for a violation of the terms of
the law, q prompt decision in the lower
courts and an appeal TO the supreme court
of the United States, which may be heard
on May g. If the programme De carried
out, decision will be rendered by the
middle OF May, at which time the court
expects to adjourn for the term. Commis-
sioner Mason received today q telegram
from the collector of internal revenue at
San Francisco, stating that some of the
Chinese who are registering desired for
their own protection TO file with their
papers q copy of their picture. de asked
il there was any objection in view of the
recent circular issued Dy Secretary Carlisle
on the subject. He was informed that