The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-04
HOPEFUL Mr.. Springer.
BE Looks for a Short Session Of
Congress.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
HOW u VIII Handle the Tariff Question
silver Champion Bland Certain that tho
Unconditional Repeal of the sherman
Act Cannot he Secured. -
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE,

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-Representative
Springer, of Illinois, chairman OF tho
Ways and Means Committee in the last
Congress, was at the Capitol yesterday.
In brief, his opinion is that Congress will
not be in session more than week or
ten days in August. In that time the
hopeful Mr.. Springer thought the silver
purchase clause of the Sherman act could
be repealed and the Ways and Means
Committee could be empowered to draft
. tariff bill for submission to Congress
when it reconvened, which would be some
time in October. AS to the tariff, it would
be impossible for the Ways and Means
Committee to do justice to the subject {
while the House was in constant session
There were too many disturbing elements
and the surroundings were not favorable
for wise and safe legislation. But if the
committee was empowered to prepare a
bill and was allowed to go to some quiet
place ON the seashore, or elsewhere, and
pursue its labors unmolested, the result
would be satisfactory bill
Touching the course of the Ways and
Means Committee In dealing with the tariff,
Mr.. Springer said il would doubtless re-
mort one general tariff bill instead of a
series of specific bills. That policy had
done good service last Congress, but the
time was now at hand when the Demo
cratic party must redeem its pledges and
reform the entire tariff system. To do
this would not involve any radical change
In the rules of the House, for Mr.. Springer
believed that the majority can always reach
IN expression of its will through the Com
mittee on Rules, which can bring in
special rule to fit each case as 1t arises.
Mr.. Springer had not seeen Mr.. Crisp,
70 be did not say anything respecting the
composition of the committees or his own
place upon them.
IF the President parts company with
Me Chicago platform i believe his party
kill part company with him" were the
hRnificant words uttered by Representative
bates Is he discussed tbs situation. "The
3hicago platform upon which he was NOM
hated and which the people endorsed in
such laundering tones last November calls
for the repeal Of the Sherman law md the
maintenance Of gold and silver as money
upon q parity. Any scheme which con-
templates the abandonment Of the use of
silver is antagonistic to that declaration of
principles and will not be supported by the
Congress that is to convene next week.
s'There can, In my opinion be no uncon-
ditional repeal Of the Sherman law. II the
President has set out to repeal the Sherman
act without Offering anything in It's place,
he has set up platform not in accord with
that upon which he went before the peo-
ple."
Mr.. Oates looks for tho repeal of the
Shermrn law, with q condition that will
provide for the free coinage of silver at
m increased ratio.
Senator George came into town from
Georgia and takes q rather cheerful view
Of the situation in the South He believes
there will be money for his people to move
their crops and that with the movement of
cotton easier times will result.
Senator Squire, of Washington, is one
Of the few Western senators who takes the
ground that the President should be al
lowed to deal with the silver question in
ais discretion. He believes that 1t
would b good policy for Congress to pass
joint resolution permitting the President
70 suspend the operation of tho silver pur-
;hase section of the Sherman Law in his
1iscreation. He also thinks we'll of the
nter- convertible bond scheme suggested
oy Representative Tom johnson, of Ohio,
and feels that it would add much elasticity
TO the currency.
Mr.. Bland, the champion of free coinage,
has arrived and was seen In consultation
with three members Of his faith, who arc
in the city. He said the friends of silver
had agreed upon no plan Of campaign
other than that they were opposed to the
repeal Of the Sherman Law unless they
were given free coinage Of silver. Mr.
Bfzud, IN speaking OF the ratio, said he
cav no reason TO change that now in force.
So far as the possibility Of repeal was
concerned, Mr.. Bland was emphatic in his
declaration that the unconditional repeal
Of the purchasing act could not be accom-
plished in the other House.