The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-10-07
A COMPROMISE PROBABLE.

on the other, it looked then as IL the
Sherman law would be disposed Of
summariIy without all of the delay
and notwithstanding that has since
taken place. In fact, the sentiment
of the country being so general in
demanding the unconditional repeal
Of the law, and the message of Presi-
dent Cleveland to Congress being SO
pointed on the subject, it was con-
sidered a matter almost of certainty
that the bill repeating the Sherman
law would pass without much trouble
in both Houses. The House of
Representatives, voicing the opinion
of the masses, passed a bill by a
majority of over q hundred repeating
the Sherman law. This was hailed
with delight by the entire country,
and business began to brighten up a
little.
But when the bill got to the Senate,
it struck snag. Here has been the
zeal battle ground. A majority of
the Senate from the first have favored
the repeal bill, but stubborn silver
minority have held tEeir own ever
since the debate opened on the ques-
ton; and they have effectually pre-
vented the majority from doing any
thing at all. All attempts to dis
lodge them from their position has
been in vain, and to-day they present
as unbroken a front as they. did
when the session first opened. To
all outward appearances they seem
as Determined as ever to Keep up the
fight even until December. They
have been defiant IN resisting the re-
peal sentiment of the country, and
every attempt to come to vote has
been baked.
In the face of these conditions the
question of adopting some form of
coercing the minority has been free
ly discussed by the majority. The
closure rule has been proposed as a
means of preventing members from
talking as long as they please and OBJ
structing legislation. The question
is frequently asked: Why not
adopt closure and prevent endless
discussion? The reason why this
cannot be done is PLAIN enough.
The minority would talk and filler
burster forever against a closure rule
just as they are doing now against
the repeal of the Sherman law.
1t appearing evident that it will
be impossible to pass an uncondi-
tional repeal bill, the Democratic
Senators have been considering the
ACCESSIBILITY of compromise. The
opinion now prevalent both at Wash
ington and throughout the country is
that compromise is the only means
of solving the financial question. 1t
cannot possibly be done on the
present lines and the administration
will be compelled to modify its
policy to meet the present conditions.
Several compromise measures have
been proposed, but the best one is
that of Senator Faulkner of West
Virginia, which was proposed several
weeks ago. As it is now a hopeless
task of compelling the minority to
submit to any kind Of compliance,
the compromise idea is freely talked
Of and thoughsit has not been actual
" decided on yet, it is apparent that
it will be agreed to in a short time.
The basis Of comprornise will follow
closely the proposition of Senator
which comprehends: 1,
the repeal of the Sherman act; 2, the
coming of 50, 900, 900 or$2, 500, 900 of
silver per month until the total amount
of silver coined has reached the sum of
500, 900. 900 or $500, 900, 900; 3, the
coinage after that of all silver bullion
in the Treasury 4, the sale of gold
bonds to increase the gold reserve to
an amount sufficient to insure the
OF gold and silver at
parity.
1t is to be hoped that the propo-
sition of compromise will lead to
an early settlement of this question.
The country has been depressed long
enough and financial ruin has been
entirely too wild espread. The peo-
Pile want something to palliate the
present stringency, and any legisla-