The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-08-08
Special to the News and Courier.

oPSSiui W llc NcWS auu courier.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.--Less than q
hundred members OF Congress have
reached the Capital, but so far as
these have expressed themselves the
sentiment in favor of the repeal of the
Sherman Silver Purchasing Act is
overwhelming. Four-ffths of the
members who have called at MIR.
Crisps headquarters since the ex-
Speakers arrival in the city do not
hesitate to say they are in favor of re-
peal. Some OF them, however, have
compromise suggestions which they
add to their declarations against the
Sherman Act, but with such general
sentiment against the obnoxious law
1t is now believed to be not unreasona-
BILE to suppose that an amicable adjust
ment OF the financial problem may be
reached at an earlier period than is in
dioated by some of the free silver en-
thusiasts.
One Of the most conspicuous callers
at Judge Crisp's headquarters to-day
was Representative Oates, of Alabama.
Mr.. Oates is regarded as one of the
ablest lawyers in the House, and he is
one of the best rough and tumble de-
bators in that body. He is O. stubborn
and an aggressive advocate of what he
conceives to be true Democratic prin-
ciples, and he will probably be con-
spicuous figure in the coming Con-
gress. He is in favor of the repeal of
the Sherman Act, provided it Is coup
led with free coinage of silver at an in
creased ratio from twenty to twenty-five
to one. II the latter proposition Is not
acceptable he insists that the tax on
the State banks be repealed as recon-
mended in the Chicago platform. He
Is not willing that the Sherman Act
should be repealed Internationally,
accompanied by an understanding or q
promise that the free silver question
and the bank tax proposition may be
dealt with at a future time. He says
he has come to Washington prepared
to carry out the provisions of the Chi
cago platform, not only as regards the
financial questions, but also so far as it
relates to the tariff. He insists that
the party pledges be carried Out, even
If the coming session should last until
next July. He Is opposed to any divis-
ion of the work between the extra and
the regular sessions.
Mr.. Oates views on this subject ap-
peared to strike responsive chord
among several Southern Congressman
who were present. Representative
Robertson, OF Louisiana, at first differ
ed with Mr.. Oates and suggested that
it might be better to repeal the Sher-
man Act or stop the purchase of silver
for a period Of six months and adjourn.
Suoh G. course would enable the coun-
try to judge the effect OF such legisla-
tion. Mr.. Oates finally persuaded the
younger member from Louisiana that
1t would probably be to the advantage
of the country to take up the entire fl
nancial problem and dispose of it in
one continuous session. He contends
that there should not be any trouble in
reaching o conclusion, providing mem
bers come together in spirit OF frank
ness with the intention of doing the
greatest good for the greatest number
of people without regard to section.
The people of Alabama are willing
that the Sherman law should be re-
pealed, but they are also anxious to be
relieved from the tax on State banks.
A combination of these two recon-
mendations In the Chicago platform
ought, in his opinion, to meet the ap.
proval OF the Democrats in Congress-
and also the President. He is equally
anxious that the tariff question should
be taken up and considered without
delay. The suggestion that August
and September may be oppressively
warm in Washington appears TO have
no terrors for him.