The herald., 1893-08-12
Bright Prospects for Silver
Legislation.
An Early Discussion of the
Question Assured.
A Day of Caucuses at the National
Capital.
Democratic Senators Unable to Decide
ON Line of Policy-Free Silver
Men Adopt Significant
Resolution.
By the Associated Press.

mentg today have been such as TO give
promise of an early discussion of the
silver question in the two houses OF con.
gress. The Democratic senators, after a
caucus lasting several hours, found
themselves unable to agree upon any
line. OF action, and finally adjourned un-
til later day, the intention OF the sem
ate being to adjourn from now until
Monday, in order to give an opportunity
for the fullest informal discussion among
the senators of all parties before enter.
ing upon legislation.
In the failure of the Democratic sena-
tors to agree upon any party policy, the
advocates of the repeal of the Sherman
law find much encouragement.
The free coinage men OF the house
held q caucus today and adopted reso.
luton which will be revelation to the
ultra free coinage men of the west, but
it will be tower OF strength to those
who are fortifying themselves against
the unconditional repeal of the Sherman
purchasing act. The resolution is re
garded as mastery stroke on the part
of the silver men, as it practically
abandons the ratio of Is TO l and agrees
to accept such a compromise ratio IS
will maintain parity between gold and
silver, and implies that the most Wig
orous efforts will be made to induce the
radical silver men of the far west to
yield to the judgment of the more con-
servative free coinage men OF the coun-
try.
DAY OF CAUCUsEs.
This was day OF caucuses. The house
adjourned yesterday till Thursday, to
give full scope to the silver men for con-
sultation of the broadcast character.
Bland mace it known that he desired
all the friends of silver, whether Demo-
Gratis, Republicans or Popuists, to con-
slider themselves welcome, and that
silver senators also would not be ex-
cluded if they chose to aid their col
leagues of the lower house with advice.
A caucus was also held by the Demo-
cratic senators befor the hour of meet
ing. 1t may depend upon the decision
arrived at in this caucus whether or not
the silver debate. which had 80 sudden
and spirited on opening in the senate
yesterday, will be continued till brought
to definite issue, or whether the DEM
ocrats will decline to continue the de-
bate on the lines which the Republican
senators yesterday originated. There is
q general belief that the Democratic
leaders will insist upon the right to lead
and will resent, as they did yesterday,
any effort of their opponents to origi-
nate measures on vital points of policy.
NO FILIBUsTERING.
The anti-silver men have been led to
expect, by the expressions OF the silver
men with whom they conferred regard
ing the proposed agreement for prompt
discussion of the question, that no fill
clustering will be conntenanced.
"There may be an attempt" said
Representative Hsrter. one of the lead
ing anti-silverites, this morning, con
the part of q few radical silver advo-
Gates to delay the inevitable, simply for
delay. Ii their opposition shall prove
to be purely for obstructive purposes,
there will be no trouble in securing the
signatures of a large majority of Demo.
Gratis to a request to the committee on
rules to report closure"
CLEVELAND AGAINST HIMSELF.
''The people are entitled to sound and
honest money, abundantly sufficient in
volume to supply their business needs,
but whatever may be the form of the
peoples currency, national or state,
gold, eilver or paper, it should be 80
regulated and guarded by governmental
action or by wise and careful laws, that
no one can be deluded as to the GER
tainty and stability of its value. Every
dollar put into the hands OF the people
should be of the same intrinsic value or
purchasing power. With this condition
absolutely guaranteed, both gold and
silver can be safely utilized upon equal
terms in the adjustment of our cur
rency."
The above is an excerpt from Cleve-
vnd's letter OF acceptance. and type
written copies of it are being passed
among the congressman by the silver
men. Gentlemen like Dockery and
Blanchard of Louisiana say the presi.
dents message and his letter of accept
ance do not gibe that the letter is much
more favorable to silver than the mes
sage.
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS.
Nearly every Democratic senator was
present at the party caucus this morning
to decide, If possible, on plans of party
action relative to silver discussion. The
meeting developed as wide divergence
of views as that between the wings of
the party on free silver coinage, and
when the time for the senate to assem-
BILE arrived nothing had been accom-
plisbed, and an adjournment was taken
till after the senate adjourned for the
day. The free silver Democrats at once
held conference with the free silver
Republicans, and the result was soon
evident, for the latter voted with the
Democrats for adjournment of the sem
ate without the transaction of business.
The caucus then Immediately reassem-
bled.
After two hours session the caucus
adjourned without reaching conclusion
as to the line OF policy. There was
strong difference of opinion on the silver
question, and the caucps adjourned to
meet again in q few days.
THE FREE SILVER CAUCUS.
The hall Of the house was closed short
ly before IL, and the friends of free silver
began to caucus. The attendance ives
small. Up to 12 80 not more than 80
members had made their appearance.
The door keepers were instructed to
notify each who applied for admission
that the meeting was confined to 'free
coinage" members. Before the caucus
met Bland said the purpose for which it
had been called was to organize the sill
YER forces, appoint committees and pre-
pare generally for the struggle before
ham