Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-18
AN UGLY SITUATION.
The Deadlock on the Sherman Law
Repeal Bill.
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There Is no immediate prospecs Of the pas
saee II the Sherman law repeal bill
through the senate. 1t 10 difficult for out
siders to understAnd why this measure
meets with such long delay in the senate
in view Of the fact that 1t was very quickly
put through the house by an overwhelm-
ing majority. The situation In the senate
Is very peculiar one. II Is known that
the majority in favor of the hill il consid-
cradle, but the minority Is able by taking
advantage Of the traditions and practices
Of the senate to blockade the way. The
tradition Of the senate which comes into
play in this case 10 that ~ long as senator's
wish to discuss pending measure they
shall have the right to do %. and the vote
thercupon shall be delayed until they may
have had their say.
There 10 no known method In the senate
by which vote can b forced. 10 long as
even one senator insists upon his right to
speak and practices it, II would therefore
be possible for single senator, II his phys
ical strength and endurance held out, ard
he were able to speak continuously, to pre-
vent any legislation whatever to which he
might be opposed While this Is the cx-
treme form Of stating the senatorial tradi-
tion. the practice usually is that when .
measure has had what may be considered
full and fair discussion no further efforts
are TO DO made obstructing its passage.
With this in view, Senator VOORHEES,,
chairman Of the finance committee and
therefore leader of the repeal forces, has
sought to keep the repeal bill constantly
before the senate and TO permit senator
after senator to make his speech thereon.
hoping that within u very short time thoae
senator's who wish to discuss the bill would
have had their satisfaction In doing 10,
Senator Voorhees, has trusted much to the
power of public opinion. which seems over
whelmingly to demand immediate action
upon this bill. Hut II turns out that the
senator has underestimated the force which
public opinion exerts upon certain senator's,
and that he has overcstimatcd the spirit Of
moderation among those senators who are
opposed 10 the bill.
In . Deadlock.
We now find ourselves, therefore, after
two weeks of dreary discussion, face to
face with very ugly situation. The silver
senator's have made ovcrtures for com
promise. They have sent word 10 Prcsi-
dent Cleveland that any concession on his
part as the recognized champion Of the re-
peal bill would be satisfactory to them.
They were willing to take the Faulkner
a f,h hn m an
friends Of repeal thought would do little
harm. They were willing to tako even
much less than this IL only they could OBJ
tain the satisfaction ct migrating upon the
bill some amendment which would at least
have the appearance OF protecting silver in
the future. But President Cleveland and
those who stand with him have absolutely
refused to even consider any proposition
whatever for compromise.
When the presidents ultimatum was
thus returned, the silver leaders lost
their tempers and employed some very
lurid and naughty language in expressing
their opinion Of MIR. Cleveland. They de
clared that he was using the weapons OF
patronage and the giant influence OF his
position to bulldoze one OF the legislative
branches Of the government. They lifted
their right hands over their heads and
swore by all that is high and holy the re-
peal bill should never pass the senate NO
long as they were able tostand on their feet,
open their mouths and advantage by the
senatorial tradition.
Which Side win weaken?
And here we are with u majority amply
large enough to pass the bill, but with no
immediate prospects Of reaching a vote.
The question simply is. How long will the
administration stand out for unconditional
repeal or how long will the silver lenders
maintain their present obstructive attitudef
Before anything can be done one side or
the other, or both, must give way. .F4
This trouble will come from the Repub-
lican side Of the chamber. The Republic
ans now stand almost solidly for repeal.
They say, however, that they were brought
here by the presidents call for one purpose,
and this purpose was TO pass an uncondi'
tional repeal of the purchase clause OF the
so called Sherman silver law, They are
willing to perform this duty and no other.
Just as soon as attempts are made to legis-
late upon currency they will cease to pre-
sent q solid front Then they will become
possessed of varying ideas and convictions;
then they who have been hitherto compar'i-
lively silent and who have left the discus
sion largely to their Democratic brethren
will wish to make speeches, to discuss and
thus to delay action.
The President VIII Stand Firm.
II seems clear, therefore, that President
Cleyelands only safety lies in persistent
and unwaveriug demand for the passage OF
unconditional repeal He has set out for
this. and those who know his characteristics
are willing TO wager that he will never be
willing to accept compromise or make con'
lssions.
II the deadlock is to be broken, II seems
.hat it must be broken by surrender on the
part OF the silver leaders. Notwitbstand
ing their fierce declarations, there are signs
Of weakness among them. The pressure Of
public opinion and the pressure Of the pres
are very strong upon them. To much long
or delay or ultimately defeat n measure
which has been demanded by such n larg'
proportion Of the people Of the country Is
frightful responsibility for an individual ol
a small number Of men TO take upon thei
shoulders
The Vice Presidents Position.
And yet from parliamentary point o
view the silver ltadefS occupt al iiPtek
nable position. They can prevent vote n
long as they may wish. The only metho'
by which a vote could be forced upon then
would be by relaxation Of their aiertnes
and opposition. but they are too expert
enced to be caught DxHinR. Clotuc-i
rule to suspend discus (Jn and proceed to
vote-might indeed be passed were the pre-
siding officer Of the senate willing 70 seiz
an opportunity for putting TO vote such
question, but 1t happens that Vice Presi
dent Stevenson. while not opposed TO tn
repeal bin. is not enthusiastic In Its favor
and it happens, furthermore, that heis rad
caIIy opposed to breaking down the Oh
tradition Of the senate by instituting clt
ture. He has declined absolutely TO put
motion that wonid look toward forcibI
cutting off the right Of debate.
Thus we are in Legislative deadlock.
way out Of it may be found in one or tw
weeks, and it may not be found for tw
months.
Dsssstabiishmsnt In Wales.
LoSpoy. Sept. 1.-THE Csrnsvon IN
Denbigh Herald claims authority TO ~
| noupcs that the government has promise