The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-23
BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. !


The leaders of the anti-silver forces
held a caucus at the Arlington tonight
to compare notes and reach a con-
clusion as to their real voting strength.
From the figures which have been gath
cred by the various canvassers it ap-
pears that the affirmative vote in the
house on repeal and against any dicker
with the silver men at any ratio will
be given by about ITO republicans and
104 democrats. The democrats are dis
tributed among the various states as
follows: New England 9, New York 20,
New Jersey 6. Pennsylvania 8, Ohio 10,
Indiana 3, Illinois 8. Wisconsin 8. Mime
sofa 2, Iowa l, Missouri l. Delaware 1,
Maryland 6, West Virginia g. North
Carolina 1. South Carolina 1, Georgia 1,
Alabama 2. Mississippi ?, Louisiana 1,
Texas 1, Arkansas 1, Tennessee l, Ken
lucky 4, and California 2 These are
the inside figures. There are many men
who are hesitating who are likely 10
swing into the repeal column and swell
the majority which win Indorse the
president. 1t will not be surprising if
half the Virginia delegation vote for
repeal, although not one of them is
COQuleu III the ABOVE llSI- A vote OF
PA for repeal leaves only 142 members
of the house to distribute among the
silver men and the doubtful list. This
means a majority of 70 for repeal and
when the roll is called and this enor-
nous preponderance of repeal sentiment
is shown the halting and weakened
are likely to answer yes to their names
also and then array themselves with the
administration party.
The doubtful quantity is the senate
which shows no disposition to accept
the provisions of the Wilson bill without
some guarantee for future silver COIN
age. Senator Vests unexpected oppo-
sition yesterday has occasioned much
talk. 1t is said he had assured the pres
ident Of his cooperation in the repeal
OF the Sherman act; consequently his
position against repeal is all the greater
surprise 1t is said that there are
greater surprises of this kind yet TO
come.
Voorhees, Holds the Balance.
The committee on finance of the senate
held meeting today at which, for an
hour and a half, the silver question in
its various phases was discussed.
The only result of the meeting was
that foreshadowed yesterday, authoriz-
ing Mr.. Voorhees, to favorably report
the bill increasing the circulation notes
of national banks to the par value of
the bonds deposited.
In the committee room there was
some very persistent opposition to the
reporting of this measure by Messrs
Vance. Jones of Arkansas and Harris
of Tennessee.
that the finance cOmmiJIee was as far
removed as ever from common ground
on the question of general legislation
on the financial situation and the re-
peal of the purchasing clause of the
Sherman law in particular. 1t was
agreed that the committee should, be-
ginning with Thursday next, hold daily
sessions.
The members of the committee are as
firm and unyielding as the day they
first met The anti-silver men of the
committee are Senators Sherman Nc
Pherson, Morrill,, Allison and Aldrich
The silver men are Senators Harris
Vance, Vest, Jones of Arkansas and
Jones of Nevada. with Mr. Voorhees,
the chairman, holding the balance Of
power.
How he will vote may decide the
action of the committee. He has said
that he is in favor of the repeal of the
Sherman law, either with conditions or
without; that he will vote for II with
out conditions, but by so doing does not
give up his allegiance to silver as a
money metal. He has said that the
vote on the repeal would not indicate
the standing of the senate on the ques-
ton of bimete llism, and for that reason,
Is willing TO go on record that way
On the other hand, should the ultra sill
yer men agree on some measure not
too radical in its character, it is said
that possibly Mr.. Voorhees, might go
with them. So far the committee is
divided on lines that show the extremes
OF the proposition. The silver men in
sist that they will submit to nothing
but free coinage at the present ratio,
and those on the other side, with equal
emphasis, assert that the only thing
they will indorse will be the uncOndi-
tional repeal of the purchasing clause.
1t is now positively stated that until
the house has fully acted upon the
proposition to repeal the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act, the senate
will do nothing in that direction. The
steering committee has ceased its efforts
10 steer for the present. Whether the
democrats in the senate can finally get
together on common grounds is a mat
ter about which there is more or less
conjecture. why is there any neces-
sity for such action? Why should we
endeavor TO unite on a proposition TO
kill thing that is already dead?" said a
member Of the steering committee yes
terday, and. he continued, everybody
knows the Sherman law cannot be re-
pealed Internationally"