The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-08-11

"asIsSs9fTeg upon the methods of
conducting the proposed discussion of the sill
yer question. The day was spent in fruitess
conferences on the subject, and because no
progress has been made in the negotiations
the House was compelled to adjourn for lack
of anything to engage its attention.
The two committees, representing the
silver and anti-silver forces, seem to be
playing for position, each desiring to as
sumo the initiative, but of what avail the
point of advantage sought will be it is
difficult to discern among thH mass of
rumors that are afoat. FronSoEll these,
and from the statements by members of
the conference regarding their proceedings
the positions of the two parties are these
The anti.silver men, led by Mr.. Bourke
Cochran, propose that bill shall be intro
duced to repeal the purchasing clause of
the Sherman law, and that vote shall be
taken upon that proposition first. If it be
defeated, amendments may be offered pro
viding for the free coinage of silver. and
vote be taken on them.
The free coinage men offer a counter
proposition, to wit: That the bill outlined
by the free silver caucus of Wednesday
shall be introduced by the committee au-
thorized to prepare it, providing for a re-
peal coupled with free coinage; that any
amendments desired may be offered, and
that vote shall be taken at the end of
three weeks debate.
This was not acceptable to the anti
silver men, who insisted, it is said, upon q
vote first upon the proposition TO uncon-
ditionally repeal the purchase clause.
1t was impossible, apparently, for the
committees to come together, and after
several separate consultations and two
joint meetings adjournment was had.
The free coinage men were represented
in the conference by Representatives
Bland, Boatner, Culberson, Bryan, Bailey,
Bankhead, Oates and Lane; the unoon-
ditional repealers by Cochran, Tracy,
Harter, Rayner, Catchings Lapham,
Geissenhainer, Coombs, Fitch, Wilson
wv. Va) and John Dewitt Warner.
Considerable interest was added to the
situation by the fact that Secretary Car
Isle visited the Capitol and was in consul
tatioH in the library with Representatives
Cochran, Tracy and Rayner. He also
called upon Speaker Crisp in the latter s
room and remained some time. After the
house had adjourned Representatives
Cochran and Mcmillan called at the
treasury department and were closeted
with Secretary Carlisle.
Mr.. George f. Washburn, chairman of
the eastern division of the national com
mittee of the Peoples party, stated to
reporter that break in the silver forces
had occurred. The cause of the trouble is
that some of the silver producers of the
west are advocating a compromise meas
ure on a ratio of 20 to /, which the Pop
ulists claim is an abandonment of principle
for selfish ends. Mr.. Washburn said;
"Our fight is for the free aud unlimited
coinage of silver and gold on a ratio of 10
to l, because 1t is the money of the con-
tract on which our bonds were issued, and
any change of ratio renders the payment
of these bonds in gold alone, We are fight
ing for larger volume of circulation, not
for larger dollar. Twenty to one would
benefit the silver producers alone, and
would not help the farmers OF wage earn
ers by increasing the price of products,
which ratio of l6 to l would do. Hence
we must part company with the silver men
who favor the change A ratio of 20 to l
would increase the debts of our country
fully one-fourth, and this we will not agree
to. The Populist leaders here in Wash
ington are a unit on this"
Last evening proposition was formu-
lated by the anti-silver committee which it
is believed will be acceptable to the free
coinage ommittee. IL is that the house
proceed to the discussion Of bill proyid-
ing for the repeal of the purchasing clause
Of the Sherman law, that opportunity be
given to offer an amendment providing
for free coinage of silver at the ratio to be
agreed upon by the silver men, if that is
possible, if not, then votes shall be taken
upon the different ratios proposed. II free
coinage, at any ratio be rejected, an
amendment may be offered similar to the
Bland bill of 1878 limiting the purchase of
bullion and amount of coinage. This
failing, the vote to be taken upon the bill
rs introduced or unconditional repeal. The
discussion to last two weeks,