The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-30
SII VER In IHE SENATE.


WASHINGTON, July 29-The Post, dis.
cussing the prospect of the repeal of the
Sherman law, says:
''rhe senate is generally regarded as the
tumbling block in the pathway of those
who wish the repeal of the Sherman law.
Not only is the free silver sentiment very
strong in the upper body, but its rules al
low unlimited debate; there is no such
thing as cloture, and the capacity of those
who wish to delay action is limited only
by their physical endurance. Had they
the strength, there IS nothing in rule or
practice to prevent the silver advocates
delaying repeal by talking for five years.
at has come to be the general impression,
however, that the law will be repealed by
the upper body, not through any lessening
of the senatorial privilege to take up un-
limited time in debate or any violation OF
senatorial courtesy, but simply because
many OF the members, openly avowed pro-
silverites six months ago, are awakening.
1t has been freely asserted that more than
one of them have undergone a complete
change of heart. 1t has been as freely as
serted that as many of them have made
up their minds to vote for repeal, although
they are unwilling at this time to say SO.
Back of this change, in some instances, is
a change OF opinion. Back of it in others
- self-interest, which is as strong in the
north wing of the capitol as In other
parts of the world.
They have come TO realize that the
executive and the policy he advocates are
stronger than they. In proof of this con-
clusion the well known instance of 1890 is
adduced. At that time the free-silver
debate was at its height. Mr. Cleveland
!, htp oil La ~,
senators passed the Stewart free silver bill.
The people of the United States took up
the man whom the senate said was wrong
nominated HIM at Chicago, although he
had made no specially strong effort to
secure the nomination. and elected him by
an overwhelming majority. The senators,
1T ~ said, have not forgotten .his object
lesson. They were opposed to the financial
belief of Mr. Cleveland. and many of them
are yet; but the popular vote is put in
evidence that the suffraglsts were not.
1T Is expected that the general demand
for the repeal OF the Sherman law will
cause many senators To bow TO the will OF
tbeir constituents, while the personal in
fiuence of the president will, il is believed,
also affect many votes Many of the
senators know him very well, and are
frequently In contact with him. They are
under obligations To him in more WAYS
than one. To some of them be has been
especially accommodating. 10 all of them.
IL 10 thought he has been fair Party loy-
atty also Will prove a strong factor in the
result. Ii is Jnought that more than one
of the senators. while unchanged in his
financial beliefs, will say that the head of
the Democracy wishes It otherwise, and
that if there IL an error he alone viii be
responsible for it. thus shifting portion
of his load upon the already burdened
shoulders OF his chief. and III that way
throwing Il sop 10 his conscience
Forty-nVe is a majority OF the senate
The question is: Can the advocates of re.
pealIug the Sherman law muster that
number of votes Upon the answer de.
pends not only the tate of the measure.
but the success or failure of Mr. Cleye-
lands administration. Either he will be
supported by his party. which now has
control of the executive and legislative
branches otthe government, or he will not.
Some OF the members are SO well known
as opponents of bimetallism that they are
easily grouped. There are others concern.
ing whose beliefs there is no such abso.
iule certainty, but they have leaning &c
gold aud may reasonably he expected IL
vote for repeal Then there are others
who will gladly vote for repeal providing
they are given bimetallsm In auorhe,
form, and last of all come those who VIII
be content with nothing less than the free
and unlimited coinage of silver at a rate o,
10 to1
1T the first two classes NAV fairly be
placed Senators Aldrich, Allison, Brice
Gallery. Camden, Cameron. Carey. Chaud
Ter, Cullnm, Davis, Dixon, Faulkner
Frye, Gallinger, Gibson, German, GRAY
Hale, Hawiey, Higgins, Hoar. Lindsay
Lodge, Mcmillan. Mcpherson, Mills
Mitchell. Morrill,, Platt, Sherman. smith
Stockbridse, Vest, Niias, Wasbburn
White of Louisiana, ana Wilson; "A total o
thirty No one entertains any
doubt as to the manner in which thes,
men VIII vote.
Those who in all probability will vote
Tor repeal. but would like some form OF
legislation not entirely demonetiZing sill
yer. ordinarily known as Changed ratio
men are Bate, Butler. Black burn, Call
Daniel, Dolph, Gordon, Hul. Murphy
Pugh. Perkins, Turple, Voorhees, and
Walthall, "A total of fourteen, and witt
those previously given. SIX more than 4
majority. II compromises are in order
and they generally are. the getting to
gether VIII probably be done by these twI
lists
Those who want the Sherman law ol
something better FOR silver are Senator.
Alien, Berry, Cockrell. Coke. Colauitt
Dubois, George, Hansbrough, Harris
Hutton, lrby, Jones of Arkansas, Jones q
Nevada, Kyle, Msndersou, Martin. Mitch
ell of Oregon, Morgan. Palmer, Pasco
Prffer, Pettigrew. Power. pugh, Ran
som. Roach, Shoup, Squire, Stewart. Tel.
Ter, Vance, White OF California, and Vol
Gotta total OF 81. TO the may fairly b,
added the three northwes .ern senator's