The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-13
THE SENATES ACTION.
1T rs UNCERTAIS Ly 10 SETTLE
MENT OF THE SILVER QUESTION.
President Cleveland 10 Not Indifferent-His
Departure Does Not Affect the Con-
dition OF Legislation.


day than what the action of the Sen
ate viii be on the question of the repeal
of the Sherman law. Senators on each
side of the question are influenced in
their judgment as to what will be done
by their convictions as 10 what ought 10
be done. and there are few who are
In state Of mind to form an unpre-
judiced judgment as TO the probabilities.
The impression is very general that an
unconditional repeal OF the law can be
got through the House by a good ma
jOrty II there is discreet management
OK the administration forces.
The departure OF Mr.. Cleveland at this
time has caused great deal OF talk,
and In some quarters there IS dispost-
ton to associate II with the situation in
Congress and try to give to it signiii-
canoe which is non warranted.
The gratuitous suggestion is made that
the President IL dissatisfied with the spirit
In which his message was received, and
that, having laid the matter before Con-
gress he feels a certain degree or In
difference as TO how they acqut them
selves of the responsibility. 1t Is but
Just TO say, however, that this Idea Is by
no means general. The situation IS
not one which demands the presence OF
Mr.. Cleveland at this time. and no man
who stands with the administration In
Congress, who understands the situation
at all, feels that the repeal men have
been deserted or I'm any way put at a
disadvantage by Mr.Clevelands departure.
1t Is not thought that Mr.. Cleveland
could have anticipated any better situa-
tion from his point OF view than that
which now exists.
That the radical silver men would do
all in their power TO prevent the repeal
OF the Sherman law without getting a
measure OF what they want in its place
is a thing that all men have known.
1t is well known-to MIR Cleveland as
well as to the public generally-that un-
der the rules Of the Senate 10 lies I'm the
power OF even a small number Of Sena-
tors TO obstruct any legislation which
they very much oppose. and at present
there are large number or Senators
who are ready TO make almost any sort
OF fght for silver. With these things
apparent the amount Of good FEELING that
Is apparent is a surprise TO every one.
and the support which Is given 10 the
administration is very much stronger
than II was anticipated by the most
sanguine anti-siiver men.
AS 10 MIR. Clevelands departure, MS
statement, published I'm The Times yes
terdav. corresponds exactly with what
would anyhow have been the impression
of all those who know what strain he
has been under since his inauguration.
There Is probably no man I'm the Unlted
States, no matter what his private busl-
ness troubles might be I'm these hard
times. who has been under greater mem
Sal and physical strain than has the
President. 1t is universally felt TO be
surprising that he has stood UP against
Il as We'll as he has. There Is no doubt
that he is worn down and that his health
has suffered greatly. IL there were amy
real occasion for his remaining here no
doubt is felt that he would have postponed
his departure as long as any public In
terests required. but as Il was there was
no more than a sentimental reason for
his staying, against the important con-
sideration OF his health that he should
go and get as much rest as possible.
There are three factions in the House
on the silver question, and. consequently,
three elements 10 be taken into consdera-
ton. While the radical anti-silver men
are demanding the repeal OF the Sherman
law and nothing else and the radical
silver men are declaring that legislation
favorable 20 silver must go with the re-
peal. much the stronger element I'm The
House appears to be that composed OF
men who want favorable silver legislation
added TO the repeal act, but II they fail
to secure amendments favorable 20 silver
will still vote for the repeal. In other
words, II the naked proposition TO repeal
the sherman law is presented to them,
all silver amendments having been voted
down, they viii vote for the unconditional
repeal In this situation the only danger
which 10
confronted with is the possibility
that some amendment for the free coinage
OF silver at an increased ratio may be
added to the bill before the final vote
comes. if they can so divide the silver
men on the amendments for the various
ratios as TO defeat all the amendments
or to adopt the ratio which will not be
popular they will have no trouble I'm
accomplishing just what the administra-
tion wants
IL Is believed that, should a ratio q
siAteeh or seventeen To one b. adopted
so as to prevent vote On an amend
h.ht Tor a higher ratio. when II came 10
a test the House would vote To substitute
an unconditional reTeal OF lie amended
Dlil' ON vote for a naked repeal. with
al other propositions Jut OF the wav.
there IS little doubt that the repeal bin
VIC uld pass the House by a very large
majority.
In the Senate this element enters some
what into the situation. large number
or Senator's who Will vote FOR some tegis-
lal.on I'm connection with repeal which
will be favorable 10 silver will not refuse
TO vote for unconditional repeal II they
fail TO get what they want. Some OF th.
Senators who will do whatever they can
20 get added 10 the repeal measure a
provision for the coinage Of silver at an
Increased ratio are counted on by the re-
peal men TO use all their influence to
prevent any filibustering Or obstruction
20 the passage OF the repeal bill II amend
ments fail. Their position IL this: That
they are in favor OF repeating the Sher-
man law conditionally, but they are I'm
favor OF the repeal anyhow, even II they
can get no conditions.
The State Democratic caucus commit
tee has adjourned over until Monday.
when they will meet again. and attempt
10 come together on some common
ground. Owing TO the agreement that
has been reached in the House, the COM
mittee feels relieved. and sees no reason
for pressing action on its part. The fact
that the House will devote two weeks
TO the discussion Of the silver question
removes the necessity that existed to
formulate a plan Immediately. and the
probability that the caucus OF Democratic
senators will not act finally upon the
policy 20 be outlined by its committee
until towards the close OF the debate In
the House. For the same reason II Is
said the Finance Committee may take
more time in the dcliberation OF the va
rious measures referred 10 IL. and not
make report as early as has been an
ticiDated.