The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-08-12
SILVER FIGHT OPENED.
National Legislators Wrestling
with the Money Problem.
TO TALK FOR FOURTEEN DAYS.

Then They VIII Vote on Free Coinage,
i on Coinage at Different Ratios, and on
Unconditional Repeal - Young Lafe
Pcnoe Creates Decided Sensation.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-The silver fight
began In earnest in the house yesterday
Immediately after the approval of the
Journal
1t was not unexpected as the fact was
known that the silverites and the anti
ilyer men on the Democratic side had
reached an agreement rs to the method to
be pursued, and as to the time within
which the debate should be limited. The
FIRST gun OF the battle was fired by Mr..
Wilson, of West Virginia 1t was in the
shape Oh q bill for the repeal of the pur-
chasing clause Of the Sherman act. Then
came forward Mr.. Bland of Missouri, with
q flar Of truce, under which, after some
little objection from the Republicans, an
arrangement was effected whereby de-
bate for fourteen days with night sessions,
u desired, was provided for, votes to be
taken @, ratios varying from 10 to to 20
to l, aud an amendment reviving the Bland
act Of 1873. The daily sessions of the house
are to extend from IL a. m. until 5 p. nj.
The silver men opened t. 'ir batteries in
che shape Of bill Offered as n substitute)
for the free coinage of silver at the present
ratio.
This started the battle, Mr.. Rayner, Of
Maryland. was the first champion sent out
by the anti-silver cohorts, and fought Wig
orously and we'll. He was reinforced by
Mr.. Brown, of Indiana, who in brief
Speech advocated the repeal Of the Sher-
man act conditionally or unconditionally
Mr.. Bland, Of Missouri, was put forward
10 return the fuslllade Of argument and
sloquenca and he performed his part
without detraoting from his reputation as
the leader OF the silver forces on the floor
Lafe Pence, of Colorado, to whom was
accorded the honor of opening the debate
on the silv bill in behalf of the Populist
members o. the house, created the first
sensation Of the session. The scene while
be was talking was an intensified repeti-
Gon Of that which marked the famous de-
but of Representative Bryan, of Nebraska
In the Fifty-second congress Mr. Pence
was more fortunate than Mr.. Bryan In that
ho was enabled by the exigences OF the
case to focus himself, through the members
OF the house, In the eyes of the country
upon the fifth day of his service as q con
gresham, and in this respect stands
UNDUE In recent congressional history.
No other man hf succeeded in SO impress
Ing himself upon the favorable considera
ton Of his associates on the floor at such
an early period Of his membership.
Mr.. Pence Is young man, B6 years of
age, and looks even younger than he is
From the outset he had the attention of
the whole house to degree that but few
of the older members can secure, and held
1t unbroken to the close. When the young
orator had concluded. having occupied the
tyhO1a hnnr allotad for tho IL, a, snaaob
he was greeted with round OF applause
from the floor. and many members ten
Rered their personal congratulations. Mr.
Pence is a native OF Indiana, where he
began the practice of law, removing to
Colorado In 1879. Until last year he acted
with the Democratic party.
It Is learned tonight TINT the senate's
Democratic caucus committee spent yes
terday in considering various plans look
Ing to tho arrangement of an order Of
business, but no decisive action was taken.