Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-08-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
rcorresnoudence of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 9.

noon arrived nothing definite had been
and an adjournment was
taken until Immediately after the adj
iournment Of the Senate. The resolu-
ton of Mr.. Hale (rep.), yesterday,
which so suddenly and unexpectedly
brought the question of speedy repeal
of the sherman law before the Senate,
it was thought by some democrats,
placed them in position where con.
ference became necessary in order that
the policy of the party might be
discussed and unanimity OF action
agreed upon. As might be ex,
nected. with the democrats divided
upon this subject, as are the republicans,
there was a diversity Of opinion and a
vast amount of unimportant talk was
INDUCED in, with the inevitable result
of nothing being determined upon
when the noon hour came around:
The discussion was decidedly animated
and at times there was tinge of sar-
casm in the tones of those who were
inclined to look upon the attitude of the
President, as defined in his message, as
being in opposition to the platform OF
the democratic party. No definite
proposition was advanced, and when
the caucus adjourned it was Just as
much at sea as when it was called to-
pether. Immediately after the caucus,
numerous conferences were had be-
tween the democrats and free-silver re-
publicans of the same persuasion, the
result of which was apparent as soon
as the journal was read: A motion
was made to adjourn, and 1t was no.
ticeable that the silver republicans
voted with the democrats to carry
out that proposition. This was taken
as an evidence of a desire for time, and
the caucus Immediately reassembled.
The democrats will endeavor to reach
some conclusion this afternoon. If this
question is disposed of, the subject OF
the patronage of the Senate will also
be taken up and the distribution of offices
be agreed upon, provided there be nc
division upon that matter. The caucu:
of democratic Senators has adjourned
without reaching any conclusion as tt
a line of policy. There was a strong
difference of opinion respecting, the Sill
yer question, and the caucus ADJOURNED
to meet again in a few days. Mean
while the subject of silver repeal vii
not figure in the Senate, for the pur.
pose is to adjourn from tomorrow I'll
Monday.
The PRESIDENT will not come to the
White House to-day, but will remain
at Woodley, his country place: Nc
nominations were sent to the Senate
to-day.
The silverites held a caucus in the
hall of the House to-day. Representa-
tive Bland said the purpose for which
it had been called was to organize The
silver forces, appoint committees ant
prepare generally for the struggle be
lore them. To the suggestion thai
some silver men would not attend the
caucus for the reason that they did no
want thereby to seem to separate
themselves from their respective par
ties. Mr.. Bland responded that it wa
not expected that much aid or comtor
was to be derived from those who hat
not the courage of their convictions
s;There will be many scalp taken by
the people before this fight is over,
continued the apostle of silver. There
are men here representing free sliVe
constituencies who are panic stricken
and are ready to yield to the clamo
against silver. The people are not 81
affected; they will look upon the mat
ter dispassionately when it is endet
and ask their representatives what all
ed them. The people do not conside
the attack upon the Sherman law a
sincere; nor is it to them the question
of first importance. They lool
upon it as a fight between then
and the mono metaiists; and while
they would not be willing to SCI
the present laws relating to coinage
Internationally repealed, what the,
want first Of all is free coinage OF silver
That is the main question" The hal
of the house was closed shortly before
- o'clock. The attendance was small
and up to halfpast twelve not more
than fifty members made their appear
ance. The doorkcepers were instruct
ed.to notify each member who applied
for admission that the meeting wa
confined to free coinage" members
There was some unfavorable commenta
this peculiar instruction, and it was ar
gued that the result would be to keep
out of the caucus many members VINO
are in doubtful state of mind or art
not prepared to take an extreme pc
sition. However that may be, it was
noticeable fact that the attempt to draw
from both parties failed signally, tol
but one republican member-Mr. Bow
ers of California-joined in the delib
erations of the silver men. Mr.. Cul'
berson of Texas acted as chairman Of
the caucus, which is the first of its kind
that has been held in the House fol
several years. The discussion devel
oped the fact that there were present
some members who were not tied tc
the 16 to l ratio. A motion was made
looking to the preparation of bill by
which the Sherman law should be re-
pealed aud free coinage of silver, at
ratio with gold to be agreed upon
provided for. The discussion develop
ed that ratio of 20 to l would be &C,
ceptable to those who felt that the ole
ratio should be changed.
Clerk Kerr is searching for satisfac.
tory and capable reading clerk of the
House of Representatives in place o.
Mr.. Petit of Virginia, removed. He
has eight applications on file, and the
applicants are in Washington to be
tested as to their qualifications and eff
cheney. From 1880 until 1880 O'Clock
this morning he heard R. Z. Folk, o.
Tennessee; H. B. Jaynes, of Texas