The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-15
MoRE ComrLICArED.
The Financial Situation Not Improved
by Discussion and Conference.

The Financial Situation Not Improved
by Discussion and Conference.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. August IA
The more the financial situation is dis
cussed in Congress, and the more con-
ferences are held. the more cloudy and
complicated the situation appears The
silver men are much mCTe confident now
Of defeating unconditional repeal OF the
Sherman law than they have been be-
fore There will be no occasion for sur
prise II the extra session Will prove use
less as far as the purpose for which IL
was called together goes. The indications
still are that an unconditional repeal
will 10 through the House, yet this can
not be relied on, I'm view Of the pOssi-
blities Of change between now and
the time for taking the vote. III mem
bers were compelled to vote on the naked
proposition Of repeal or no repeal. with
out the chance OF amendment or condi-
ton there Is little doubt that the re-
peal bill would be passed by a very re-
spectacle majority. A large number OF
members, who are conditional repeal
men, argue that they are pledged by the
Democratic national platform TO two
propositiOns-the repeal of the sherman
law. and the maintenance OF himetallsm.
Tho question whether the two things
shall be handled I'm one bill is one Of
policy Fearing that II the legislation
favorable to silver were not attached
as condition TO the repeal OF the Sher-
man law the President might not APP
prove OF the silver legislation, they re-
gard II as policy 10 combine the two.
Yet. they would not feel warranted In
refusing to vote for the repeal OF the
Sherman law Internationally If the at
tempts 10 amend IL failed. They would
feel II confronted with the naked propo-
sltiOn, that they would have TO vote for
the repeal. But this Is noJ what they
want.
Counting these men in their canvass
the antl-silver men can show up a larger
majority for repeal than they can rely
on TO vote with them on the various
propositions that come up by way Of
amendment. What they rely on how
ever IS that some Of the men who would
vote for free coinage at a ratio OF 16 20 !
will not vote for a ratio of rs or ~ 20 /.
should the first proposition fail. and that
some who are willing 10 vote for is or
20 will not vote for IS. leaving the silver
men, therefore, divided on the question
of ratios. There is, however, a possi-
bility, which should not be lost sight of.
that when the House comes TO vote on
the amendment providing a ratio Of 20
10 | it may have strength enough 10
carry though from the present outlook
the anti-silver men appear 10 have the
best Of It ir the House. Should a 20
TO 1 amendment be adopted by the House
II would be very apt 10 80 through the
Senate.
The impression is growing stronger
every day that an unconditional repeal
ell
men are very strong numerically I'm that
body, and have such power under the
rules as to make il practically impossi-
bic to force through legislation which
they are determined shall not pass. The
probabilities are that the struggle there
will be a very long one. and the indica-
tions are that a condition will be put
on the bill. In this connection arises
the serious question Of whether the Presl-
dent would sign bin even TO secure the
repeal OF the Sherman law II II carried
with It provision for the coinage OF
silver.
IL Is said that he is determined TO stand
by the issue Of unconditional repeal or
nothing, and that If a bill should 80 10
him, providing for the repeal OF the Sher-
man law. and for the free coinage or
silver at 20 70 | or even greater ratio,
he would veto il without any hesitation
preferring 10 rely on the administration
OF the present law TO relieve II OF some
Of the evil features. from his point OF
view, rather than to have a new law,
still holding silver in its present position
as a money metal through the efforts OF
the Government only. There Is, tnere-
fore, the possibility confronting the couh-
try OF a long agitation OF the question
n -
OF legislation.
Inqulry OF leaders on the Republican
side OF the House elicits the statement
that they expect TO take little or no part
in the debate now In progress. Said one
Of them:
"The Democrats have undertaken 70
control and direct the consideration OF
the question, and refused to give the
Republicans a chance 10 amend the ofder
regulating the debate. We ala not De-
lieve that free silver or no silver Whlch
are the only alternatives possible under
the bland order. were the only two possi-
bic solutions II the sitr alton. and would
have been glad OF the opportunity to nave
amended the order 50 as TO secure a vote
on a proposition which We believe would
go further than any other 10 meet ana
relieve the necessities Of the hhonclal
situation. But this having been denied
us. we do not feel that the Repnnlcans
have anything to argue. and my eebef Is
mat none OF the members on this side
viii take formal part In the debate
II may be doubted however, wnether
this plan OF reticence and reserve Will be
carried out II Is almost certainty that
as debate progresses a stage VIII be
reached where the opportunity TO score
nolitical point will prove Irresistible 10
such aggressive leaders as Reed. Bur
rows Cannon Hepworth and Henderson
There are some OF the best speakers In
the Democratic ranks still TO be heard
Cockran and Fellows OF New York, VIII
con OF West Virginia, Culberson OF Texas,
Rvuum OF Indiana. Bryan. the brilliant
Young orator Of Nebraska. and earnes-.
deep-chested Hatch OF Missouri, whose
sonorous voice and striking gestures VIII
enforce attention.
II will be strange. indeed. II their re-
marks. divided as they will be pretty
equally on both sides Of the question.
do not call out some pungent retorts or
criticisms IL Is true that ex-speaker
Reed frankly said during the last Con-
<~-... xhat ha did NOT know enough on