The Helena independent., 1893-08-21
SILVER men Confident.
The Senate Will Make a Most Deter
mined Stand For the White
Metal.
Bryan Claims the Majority Of the
House Favors Free
Coinage.
Secretary Carlisle Writes Letter on the
Difficulties That Confront Any
Change In the Ratio.

Difficulties That Confront Any
Change In the Ratio
WASHINGTON Aug. 2O.-A half month Of
the special session Of congress has passed
and the third week of the financial contest
will open with both parties confident. but
with many significant changes in the situa-
tion. Republican senator's from the silver
states have reiterated with greater emphasis
their loyalty to tho silver cause, while Voor-
hees. with . free coinage record for twenty
years. has surprised his former friends by
declaring for the repeal of the Sherman act.
Ihas the disappointment which the repeal
men sxpnrienced whom Vest. of Missouri, 80
smphatisally declared for free coinage and
against unconditional repeal have been
more than Offset BY the accession to their
ranks of Voorhees,. But the fres coinage
men Of the senate are still resolute and de-
terminsd. and NO one familiar with tho sit
ustion can hope for . hnal settlement Of
the question in the senate without an
almost endless discussion extending through
many weeks, and votes upon innumsrable
propositions TO be submitted by the silver
position. II is not improbable that the
coming week may sec tho bill TO permit the
national banks to increase their issue Of
bank notes forced TO vote In the senate.
and the indications are il will receive ma
jority vote. Silver men just now are crit
icisinq Gov. Osborne. of Wyoming. TO- his
delay in appointing successor TO Senator
Beckwith. AS any man appointed from
Wyoming would, they believe, bs silver
senator. they hold the governor Is showing
neglect Of free coinage interests By not
promptly appointing senntor.
In the house DUNG the last weeks dis
cussion the speech of Congressman Bryan.
ono Of the silver msn's most eloquent lead
ers. elicitsd the highest praise, but 1t is
effo:ts could change many votes In the
house now, 10 little does tho situa-
tlon, 30 far as the anti-silver men are
concerned. seem to derend uron argument.
Congressman Bryan, who by common
consent is accorded tho place Of chief lieu
mate Of the situations: "Tho canvass is not
sufficiently complete to make an accurate
statements as TO the vote in the house.
am satisfied, however, majority of tho
members OF the house favor free coinage at
some ratio. Most of the advocates of Fl Q
a
sixteen to one. but otherg favor ratios run
ming as high as twenty eight to one. The
propositions submitted to the hou5e do not
go higher than twenty to one. but II no
agreement Is reached the friends of free
coinage will still oppose unconditiona al
repeal, hoping to secure some afarm ative
legislation after the committees hre organ
lied. when the matter comes be-
fore congress again. IL Ia not only
possible. but probable. that un-
conditional repeal will be defeated even if
the silver men fail to ca ~ free coinage or
the Bland law. believe the sentiment in
favor of silver is increasing. and from let-
ters receive l am satiafisd the growth of
sentiment is not confined to the west
What do l think of unconditional repeal
with declaration in favor of bimetalIism?
Let me answer the question by asking
another. Would a jury aoquit = man
charged with murder because the prisoner
had left note saying he fully intended to
return and resusciatte the yictim?"
Wilson of West vi ginia declined 10 give
any estimate of the vote at the end of dis
oussion, and referred his qusstioner to
congressman Tracey of New York. who had
charge OF the canvass and who il really
recognized a. the leader of the repeating
forces. I'VE have oanvassed," said Con
Tracey. land tho result convihoes us We
have u clear majority on every proportion
utter conceding to our opr omen Is twenty Il We
doubtful votes. There is no doubt the IN
conditional repeal bill will rass and every
proposition and ratio proposed by the
silver people be defeated by u substantial
vots. There can be NO doubt as to the re-
sult. and the Sherman act will be uncondi-
tionally repealed"
il Ex-speaker Reed, leader of the republi-
can side. declined to give any estimate of
the result or to express any opinion, saving
he had not yet decided whether hs woulu
even ePehk on the question o. not
Congressman Jerry Sim son. leader of
the populist members in tbs house. has
taken = great deal of satisfaction ont Of the
embarrassing situation in which the two
old parties find themselves. Simpson said
of the situstion: ut is my opinion the
Sherman law will be repealed only on con-
dition that We have free coinage At a
ratio of twenty to one. OF may be
less. which presume Cleveland will vsto.
Now as TO the effect on political parties. it ia
difficult At p esent to forccost with any nc.
ournoy. One thing seems certain. that ia
the democratic party Is going to divide OH
this money question. which think will
eventually land she free coinage men in the
peoples party. Now that this revolution
has started, there Ia no telling whore it will
| stop, surely not short of complete REQ :
ganization of political parties. aud the
adoption Of sweeping reforms in our fnan-
oial system. The number of unemployed
il increasing at tho rate OF thousands eyery
I will bo out of work before winter ia upot
rs. and the agricultural community viii
find themselves without market for theil
products. all of whioh will set the IA think
ing. md us sure as tnte. if they once star
TO renson thinas ont. 1t means annihilatioI
to ons or the other of the old parties, fol
they will he hold responsible for the ills til.
people suffer-"
The debate In the houss this week will bt
lively and interesting. Among the speak
ers there will be Breckenridge of Kentucky
Fellows Bynnm. Bourke Cockron. Wilson
of West Virginia. and perhaps sx-Speakel
Reed. Some time early in the week. per
hnps tomorrow, Speaker Crisp will an
nounoe the com mmittecs of tho house. IL il
improbable anything will be dono in th,
sen nte snve perhaps to dispose of contested
cases. Voorhees, ia down for speeo,
Tuesday on tho silver repeal bill which
bea y his name. Du ing the speech he will
read a lettst from eoretary Carlisle &c
show the difficulties In the wRy of tho free
coinage of silver at II changed ratio.