Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-13
SILVER LAW REPEAL.
THE FURTHER PROGRAMME WITH
RESPECT TOlT.
Conference of the Democratic Senators
The Federal Election Law-Proper
House Poiicy-virginis Campaign

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Sept. 12.-An
important conference Of Democratic SEN
ators was held this afternoon upon the
future OF the silver debate. There were
present Messrs. German, Voorhees,, Faux
ner. Gray. and several Of the other lead
ers OF the Senate and friends or the
Administration measure. The results OF
the meeting viii probably manifest them
selves in the Senate tomorrow.
An early vote on the repeal bill was
discussed and y canvass was made Oh
the names OF those who intend speaking
on the subject, which disclosed the TACT
that the limit Of legitimate debate would
not be exhausted until this week had
ended and possibly not until one or two
DAYS Of the next had been consumed. IL
was agreed that after that. specch-making
would be equivalent to filibustering ana
that every speech made would be for the
certain purpose OF consuming time and
postponing the day for final action. How
to prevent this is the question that Sen
ators desirous Of securing vote are
seeking 10 answer.
Cloture Is impossible. for. as one OF the
members of this conference said, cloture
has no more chance of passing the SEN
ate than would a measure for the repu-
diaiion Of the national debt. The mere
attempt. II was argued, would be hailed
with delight by those opposing repeal,
because 1t would give them an opportuni-
~ TO talk on something else and thereby
consume more time. A vote Will be
reached. IL reached at all, by the test or
physical endurance, and with that end
fr. LII - l.
as POSSIBLE.
Early next week n motion VIII be
made. unless It is made sooner. to take
effect on a day certain. providing for
night sessions, and these sessions will
be made continuous, so that quorum o.
the Senate will ~ required every hour
OF the twenty-four. In this way. coupled
with the powerful Influence of the busi-
ness interests Of the country now demand-
ing repeal, the repealers think they can
force the silver men to come to terms and
consent TO the taking of a vote. 1t looks
very much as If this programme would
be inaugurated next week.
The probable action OF the House in
taking up the bin for repeal OF the Fed
erai election laws also came in for its
share OF the discussion, and various opln-
ions as 10 the effect OF such action by the
House were expressed. A division Of
sentiment AZ TO this policy was manifest
ed. Some Of the committee thought It
extremely unwise 10 plunge the House
into a bitter partisan discussion just mt
this time. when the Republicans OF the
Senate are working with the Democrats
for repeal of the silver law COR which
purpose alone the President had called
Congress together. Others met this line
Of argument with the statement that Sen
ators were not TO be- deferred from doing
what they conceived To- b.. their duty I'm
this matter by any agitation that might
arise In the other body. Still It was sug-
gested by some that final action might
at least be postponed even II no further
harm came from it. and nothing would be
| lost by the Democrats refrainlug from
action In the matter until after the re-
peal OF the Sherman act had become an
accomplished fact
On the other hand, there were Senators
who urged that II was imperative for
the good Of the party that this bin should
be taken up now and be disposed OF
II was pointed out that the campaign in
Virginia had begun. ami that Congress
had been in session six weeks without
| a single pledge being made to the people
| IL was important that something should
| be done that would have a quieting erfect
| in Virginia. and 1t was said that thi.
| pledge was one upon which the party wa,
united. and there was no reason why tn,
| bill should not be- passcl speedily with
| out an acrimonious debate.
| The general opinion Is thas nothing vii
| be put In the way of the Houses doin.
as II thinks best on any subject.