Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-02
ThheShiNG OLD STRAW.
siivs Senators May se Led kstray in Their
Esi,ae.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-The beneficent
results of the passage of the repeal bill
by the house are already apparent. There
is revival of business everywhere. This
fact, Of which every senator, whether for
repeal or against it, is aware, Is having its
influence among senators from the south
and southwest who are pronounced ahvo-
Gates Of silver Whatever may have bern
the condition Of affairs in the senate when
It assent bled on the 7th Of August. it is
quite certain that majority Of the body
now favors the repeal Of the purchasing
clause OF the Sherman act. The exact
size of this majority is problematical.
The friends Of the administration claim
that if square vote could be had on the
question of repeal, disconnected with all
other matter, q majority OF at least 10
would be assured. These votes have been
secured for repeal. What induced the
change is at present question which does
not enter into the controversy. The fact,
however, has exerted Nnarked influence
among the leaders who are advocating
free silver. They have entered upon their
fight and fully appreciate the difficulties
to be encountered.
They have discussed the desertion Of
some of the southern Democrats. They
have mapped out their plan of operation,
aud when IL comes to the matter of an at
tempt to force q vote Of all day and all
night sessions, they will simply compel
the presence of a quorum. II they carry
out their threat with the forces they now
have under control. how is q vote TO be
reachedi They claim to have 30 silver
senators.
As long a. they stand together without
weakening, as long as they have the ply
steal endurance to carry upon the.f
shoulders the strain Of continuous debate,
just so long they will be able to postpone
the final vote. The Democratic managing
committee, however, have not abandoned
the hope Of reaching some agreement AZ to
when the final vote shall be taken.
Congressional Proceedings.
"Threshing over old straw" was the
amusement in the house. The rules OF the
Fifty-third congress were relegated to the
background, and the rules Of the Fifty
first congress came in for the chief part Of
the discussion. Mr., Reed was kept upon
his feet almost continuously, justifying
the propriety of his course when he 90
cupied the chair
The banking and currency and the
coinage weights and measures committees
were granted leave to report at any
time; and these were the only noteworthy
changes made In the new code. But there
is an amendment still pending that, ii
adopted, may be found to be far-reaching
in its effects. 1t provides for practical
cioture whenever a member in charge OF
measure on thu floor sees fit to ask for
1t. No action was taken on this amend
ment before adjournment.
The speech OF Mr., Wolcott tRep., Colo)
against the bill to repeal the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act was delivered
in the senate. The most telling parts OF
it were some humorous and sarcastic
touches. ia which he depicted the conver-
sion Of Democratic statesmen from their
belief in silver and their devotion to bi-
metallism to the gold monometailism faith
of the president The next speech was on
the opposite side Of the question and was
made by Mr.. Caffery Ua.). 1t was his
first appear ance as a speechmaker In the
senate.
The resolution last week by Mr.. PETER
Pop., Kan.) in reference to national banks
refusing to pay checks Of their depositors
In currency was taken up. and. againstlhis
opposition and that of score Of other SEN
ators, was referred to the finance commit
tee BY a vote OF IS to II.