Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-10
AN UNPaODUCTlVE CAUCUS.
The Democratic senators Fail tc Do
Any hing -,ivsr Men Are Defiant.

Any htuE rtlhoE hcu are Dchhhb.
NAsuINGroN, ID. c., August AL
most every Democratic Senator was
present AZ the party caucus this morn
ing Tne meeting was convened at
lO.3O o'clock, and when the hour OF
noon arrived nothing definite had been
Accomplished and 40 adj urnment was
taken until Immediately after the ad-
j9urument Of the Senate. The resolu-
tion OF Mr. Hale Rep yesterday which
So suddenly and UNEXPECTEDLY brought
toe question OF speedy repeal OF
th Sherman before the Senate 10 was
thought by some Democrats, placed
them in a position where a conference
became necessary, in order that the
policy of the party might be discussed
asd unsnimity Of action agreed upon.
As might be expected, with the Demo
Gratis divided upon this subject, as are
Republicans, there was diversity oil
opinion, and a vast amount OF unim-
portant talk was INDUCED in, with the
inevitable result Of II not being deter
mined upon when the noon hour came.
The discussion was decidedly ami
mated at times, and there was tinge
vi NAEEA~ul lu AnU AbANo OA NhC5N $50
were inclined 10 look upon the attitude
Of the President, as defined IN his mes
sage, as bSing in opposition TO the plat
form OF the Democratic party. No dem
mite proposition was advanced, ana
when the caucus adjourned il was just
as much at sea as when IL was called
together. Immediately after the eau
Gus numerous conferences were had be-
tween free silver Democrats and Repuo-
licans Of the same persuasion,
the result OF which was ap-
parent as soon the Journal was
read. A motion was made 10 adjourn
and it was noticeable that silver Re-
publicans voted with the Democrats TO
carry out that proposition. This was
taken as evidence Of a desire FOR time,
aud the caucus Immediately reas-
sembled.
The afternoon caucus was almost. as
unprOductiYe OF results as the morning
session. Most OF the time was con-
sumed ip the expression OF Individual
views, which clearly demonstrated that
each element in the party was frmly
welded 10 It's own notions. One Sena-
tor, who occupies high position in the
Finance Committee and whose leaning
towards free silver is pronounced, de-
clared positively: "YOu can set II down
as a certainty shat the Sherman act will
not be repealed uncOnditionally."
On the other hand, some Senators
who have sided with the President said
rather despondently that while no tan
gible advance had been made toward a
point where the party could be regard
ed as united, they had not abandoned
hope that the efforts In that direction
might eventually result in success.
Ii is gathered from this that the
conditional repeal proposition is gain
ing strength aud that certain of the
ultra-silver men are preparing te fol-
low 10 the direction indicated by the
Leaders In the silver caucus in he
house to-day, namely, toward repeal
with free coinage at an increased
ratio. 1t was rather sig
nifcant fact that the silver men ap-
peared TO have less anxiety than their
opponents about the result OF the eau
Gus, as was evidenced by their conduct
while the Senators were discussing the
situation, q number of them leaving the
room and going to the restaurant, where
they calmly INDUCED in luncheon, ap-
par5ntly uncOncerned as to what was
going on in the chamber above.
Immediately after adjournment OF
the caucus Mr. German repaired TO the
room OF the Committee on Approprla-
tious and called into consultation Sen
ators Blackburn, Gray, Ransom aud
Voorhees,. Senator CocKrell was invited
10 remain in the room. All of these
Senators, with the exception Of Senator
Gray, were members Of the Democratic
caucus committee of the last session,
ana although Mr.. German had not
made his appointments at the time OF
the consultation their presence gave
color TO the expectation that they
would be named as members OF the
caucus committee tomorrow.