The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-13
SILVER'S DEATH STRUGGLE.
THE SCENES ATTENDING THE OPEN
ING DAT OF THE BATTLE


Announces that the Party Has Reached
tho Parting OF tho ways-Tho silver Men
% Sever Connection with II IT II Uncon-
dition.lIy Repeats the shrrrnn Aot-Joy
OF Jerry Simpson and Hts Followers.
WARRINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE silver fight 10
on. and on by the consent OF both parties. The
white metal has locked horns with gold and Is
in its death struggle. Each party seems to
appreciate It's responsibility. and each recog-
nizes tho demand Of the people for prompt ac-
ton. The vote will be taken at the end OF q
two weeks discussion. The original PROPOSE
ton to bring on the fight before the adoption
OF any rules by the House was to allow the
silver mon the initiative; in other words. they
were to propose a free coinage BILL and the
friends Of the Administration were to offer n
proposition to repeal the purchasing clause Of
the Sherman act as a substitute This PROMO
stlon was not acceptable to the friends OF tn o
Administration. They regarded it as hardly
courteous to the President. who in his mes
sage had urged the prompt repeal OF the Sher-
man act. Indeed. the original proposition
was made to the silver men without the knowl-
edge Of the Administration. The silver men.
while accepting 1t. wanted six weeks for dis
cussion.
Finding that those who had made the propo-
goods. Mr.. Bland aud his friends made prop
ositton OF their own. 1t gave the Administra-
ton men the affirmative. They were to intro
duce bill repeating the purchasing clause Of
the Sherman act. and the silver men wero to
offer FREQ coinage amendment with the old
Bland bill in the background as substitute.
This proposition was accepted. with the un-
dsrstsnding that vote was to be taken on all
tho propositions at the end or two weeks
debate. The legal ratio between silver and
gold Is now 16 to l. while tho market value is
about "a to l. and has been much lower Under
the agreement the silver men. II they fail in
establishing free coinage at the present legal
ratio may try to make 1t at II. 1S. 10. or 20 to
l. II they are defeated on all OF the ratios they
have the privilege OF trying to re9nact the old
Bland bill, which requires the coming OF
100000 q month.
The Presidents supporters were at fl rst
doubtful as to the policy of allowing them this
privilege OF voting on the different ratios. 1t
was thought that it would overload represen-
tatives from the West and South. who were
disposed to vote for the unconditional repeal
Of the purchasing clause. They would feel
bound to take tho 20 ratio. TWAS plain. how
evor. that nothing could be done under any
circumstances to prevent the consideration Of
free coinage at these ratios. The Presidents
friends accepted therefore. the ultimatum.
They were forced to take tho risk. 1t would
not do to let the silver men lead in the fight,
as the effect upon the country. and abroad.
would be discouraging.
Every phase OF the moveme nt was thorough
ly canvassed before the agreement was
reached. Some expressed a fear that the Re-
publicans might become cantankerous and
endeavor to make political capital whom the
subject was brought before the House. Others.
however. believed that Tom Reed and his
followers could not afford to do this. They
were too shrewd. They knew that the country
would hold them responsible for any delay
oocasioned BY their acts. This fear would force
them to sustain tho action taken by the friends
of the Administration. Tho silver men regard
cd the Presidents message as q sinele-stand-
ard document. This view was sire ngthened
BY prominent supporters OF the Administra-
ton. who made no secret Of their intention to
supplant silver with gold.
It looks as II 1t would be the most eventful
fight made In the House Of Representativ YES
for many years. II observations and threats
mean anything. both political parties may be
disrupted. and the Populists be the gamers.
This would mean a fight all along the line in
the South and West between tho silver and
enti-silver Democrats.
Some look upon Bland and his followers as
asort Of vermiform appendix to tho Dem ocratIo
party The appendix being affected appended
tisfollows. An operation must be perform cd or
the patient will die. Mr.. Bland evidently regards
the repeal OF the Sherman act, without free
coinage. as such an operation. 1t will remove
the cM de sac. and tho patient must take his
chances OF recovery How the vermiform ap-
pendix will get along by itself is grave ques-
ton. Jerry Simpson and his followers are
ready to absorb it Indeed. they do not at
tempt to conceal their delight at the prospects
OF the unconditional repeal OF the purchasing
clause OF the Sherman act jerry says that II
this IL done the Populists will carry the next
House. Gen. James B. Weaver. the late Popu-
list candidate for President has been here sur
yeying the ground. His eyes shin with hope
He agrees with Jerry.
The Presidents friends could easily repeal
the sherman act. II they could get vote on It
before the ratio propositions are voted on.
Many Democrat who would vote for prompt
repeal may be driven to cover when vote Is
asked beforehand upon o prop osition to col n
silver at ratio Of 20 to /. The country
hardly understands what an increase IN the
ratio means Secretary Carlisle has sal that
IL would take six years to recon on different
ratio all the silver money now in Giro uation,
and would cost the Government 100000 900.
1t 10 difncut to see how such measure would
relieve the financial situation.
The fight opened sharply on Friday with
william l. Wilson OF West Virginia in eom.
mand OF the Administration forces and Rich
ard p. Bland at the head OF the silver men. A
Baltlmorean. lsidor Rayner. made tho attack.
He stationed himself in the first aisle on the
Democratic side OF the House. His impas.
sioRed delivery and flights Of eloauence
thrilled galleries loaded with spectators, De.
spite the hot weather. Up and down the aisle
he strode. his sunken eyes flashing with intel.
isctual fire. and his high cheek bones burning
with excitement His voice is clear and his
enunciation perfect He wore q pepper.and
salt suit and a short cold watch chain. He
strobe down the aisle. fercely gesticulsting.
winding up each sentence by turning upon his
heel and walking back to his desk. nervously
playing with his watch guard on the return.
Bland sat near by listening intently. Tracey.
wilson. and Cochran were twenty feet away.
Josiah Patterson Of Memphis. Cen Brawley OF
Charleston. young Tucker of Virginia. Judge
nh nj Of u Cali