The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-10
SENATOR'S TALK OF SILVER
The Democrats Trying to Formulate
a Policy.

A Vast Amount of Discussion In
dulged in but No Conclusion
Reached-Hopes- That the Party Can
be United Not Abandoned on Ac-
count of the Failure-A Steering
Committee Appointed.
Washington, Ang 9.-Almost every
democratic senator was present at the
marty caucus held. this morning. The
meeting convened at 1890 o'clock, and
when the hour of noon arrived nothing
definite had been accomplished, and an
adjournment was taken until Immediately
after the adjournment of the Senate.
The resolutions of Mr.. Hale rep,
Yesterday, which so suddenly and unex-
1ectedlv brought the question of the
speedy repeal of the Sherman law before
the Senate. it was thought by some dem
ocrats placed them in a position where
conference became necessary in order
that the policy of the party might be dis
cussed and unanimity of action be agreed
upon As might be expected, with the
democrats divided upon this subject, as
are the republicans, there was some diver
sty of opinion and a vast amount of
unimportant talk was INDUCED in, with
the inevitable result of nothing being de-
termined upon. When the noon hour
came around the discussion was de-
cidedly animated, and at times there
was a tinge of sarcasm 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 to meet again
after the session of the senate it was just
as much at sea as when it was called
together.
CONFERENCES FOLLOW THE CAUCUS.
Immediately after the caucus numerous
conferences were had between democrats
and free silver republicans of the same
persuasion, the result of which was appa-
rent. AS soon as the journal was
read in the senate a motion
was made to adjourn, and 1t was
noticeable that the silver republicans vo-
ted with the democrats to carry out that
proposition. This was taken as evidence
of a desire for time, and the caucus i'm
mediately re-assembled.
The afternoon caucus was almost as
mproductiVe of results as the morning
session. Most of the time was consumed
in the expression of individual views,
which clearly demonstrated that each
element in the party was welded to its
high position in the finance committee,
and whose leaning towards free silver is
pronounced, declared positively: 'YOu
can set it down as a certainty that the
Sherman act will not be repealed uncon-
ditiOnally"
On the other hand, some senators who
have sided with the President said rather
despondently that while no tangible ad-
vance had been made toward a point
where the party could be regarded as
united, they had not abandoned hope that
the efforts in that direction might event
Ually result in success.
DRIFTING TOWARD COMPROMISE.
1t is gathered from this that the condi-
tional repeal proposition is gaining in
strength, and that it is certain that the
Itra-silver men are preparing to follow
in the direction indicated by the leaders
in the silver caucus in the House day,
namely, towards repeal with free coinage
at an increased ratio 1t was rather
significant fact that the silver men ap-
pcared to have less anxiety than their op-
pOnents about the result of the caucus, 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 lunch, apparently un-
concerned as to what was going on in the
chamber above.
AN OLD EXPEDIENT.
Neither party in the Senate has been
able to caucns with complete success on
the subject Of silver, and to-day's caucus
was no exception to the rule, so after
eNhausting the possibilities of
debate, the caucus fell back upon the
oft tried eXpedient of delegating to com
mlttec the task of endeavOring to Arrange
a plan of business that should be satisfac-
tory to all sides. Mr. German, the chair
man Of the caucus, was authorized to
appoint this committee and the caucus
Itself adjourned subject to his call, which
VIII Deissued as soon as the committee
mas reached an agreement and prepared
To submit report for action.
Immediately after the adjournment of
Jhe caucus Mr.. German repaired to the
room OF the committee on appropriations
ana called into consultation Messrs.
DldckOurn, Gray, Ransom and Voorhees,.
Nlr. Cockerell was invited to remain in
the room All of these senators, with the
exception of Mr.. Gray, were members of
Iue demoCratic caucus committee of
S4e last session. and although
Ir' German had not made
ms appointments at the time of the CON
Sutauon, their presence gave color to the
expectation that they would be named as
members of the caucus committee. At
yne ne conclusion Of this informal caucus at
o.lo ?. m. Mr.. German said he would not
appoint the committee authorized by the
caucus until tomorrow.