New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-13
At An ABSOLUTE HALT.
no PROGRESS WHATEVER TOWARD A
SENATE COMPROMISE
MR. GORMAH GOES TO HIS COUNTRY HOME. AND
THE" STEERING COMMITTEE TAEES \ REST
EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENTS ABSENCE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.1

.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNE1
Washington Aug. 12.-Senator German steer
ing committee" which has charge of the prepara-
| ton OF sort of compromise on the Ad-
mnistrations programme of unconditional repeal
sugar-coated enough to prove acceptable as party
| measure the reluctant Democratic majority In
| the Senate did not resume its labors to-day, the
| exhausted committeeman desiring to take n rest
| until Monday or Tuesday Mr.. German last night
| followed the example set by the President and
| Secretary Carlisle, and went out TO his country
| home at Laurel to spend Sunday. In his absence
the steering committee was necessarily left with
out either compass or rudder and all work at the
Senate end of the Capitol. in the way Of devising
or fastening along remedial financial legislation,
came to absolute standst.
There is no doubt that the outspoken representa-
tives in the Senate of the Administrations policy
of immediate and unconditional repeal have been
greatly discouraged and disappointed by the fail
ure of the steering committee to adopt and en-
force the Presidents direct and sensible pro-
gramme. and that. in consequence of the display
of half-heartedness and indecsion made by the
Senatorial managers for the last four days, the
prospect of obtaining the legislation demanded by
the Executive and the country is far more
distant than it when Congress assembled.
Mr.. Germans hesitation about accepting the policy
boldly outlined by the President, and his temporiz
ing negotiations with the silver element in the
party on the pretence of securing Harmony OF
opinion. have had the effect of sthening the reso
luton of the avowed opponents of repeal and more
than seriously shaking the confidence of the con
verts" whom the PROSECUTING efforts OF the Adj
mnistration had almost persuaded TO forsake their
financial hereses
The tone of many of the supposed converts to
the Administrations programme has indeed greatly
changed the last three days and this alteration
of feeling finds striking expression on all sides
Senator Vest. for instance who last March got a
20, on hn thnar
announced by the friends Of the Administration
that he would suppress any opinions OF his own TO
oblige the President and Mr.. Carlisle, and who
had recently February last shown his sub
serviency the ant-silver views Of the President
elect by voting to consider the repeal OF the Sher
man act. came here last Monday evidently pre-
pared to surrender the free-conage principles which
he had iercely and passionatcly advocated and
defended for years, when such advocacy expended
itself chiefly in making material for THE Con
gressional Record" and could have possible
practical effect the fortunes Of silver. Mr.
Vests conspicuous with Mr.. Noorhees's
and Mr.. Blackburn's the list of converts by
whose aid the President carry "uncon-
dional repeal through the Senate. What sort of
change has come over the character OF the Mis-
souri, Senator's conversion" ii Is hard 20 tell
but he is found to-day quoted on all sides
backslider to free coinage at a changed ratio and
an active supporter of the effort TO commit the
which will distinctly repudiate the ADMINISTRATORS
platform OF last Tuesday.
II is apparent. too. that the other Senatorial
converts becoming FESTIVE under the caustic
criticisms of their former free-sver associates,
and each days delay will make their perseverance,
in the doctrines Of the Presidents financial
philosophy more wearing and more exactine. The
Presidents departure under these circumstances Is
a serious misfortune 10 the friends Of uncondi-
tional repeal. the full extent OF which can only be
measured in the developments of the coming week.
In his absence the moving force OF all repeal ees
aton ceases to work in the Democratic ranks and
with the weight of his personal influence withdrawn
from the contest. his nominal representatives at
the Capitol lose half their power OF holding re
fracory legislators up 10 party discipline with the
President away the direction OF financial legisla-
tion in this Congress will fall more than ever into
the hands Of MIR. German. and with the Maryland
Senator's known determination TO subordinate the
public interest If necessary. to the cXiGcncics Of
party "harmony" and political advantage. this new
turn to the situation cannot be welcome To those
who have the immediate relief Of the business
interests of the country at heart. Mr.. Germans
avowed policy is of delay and compromise. and
in the pursuit Of that policy there is no telling how
long il will be before the Democratic caucus Is
allowed TO reach agreement on party meas
ure. the Senate allowed to bring that measure
to a vote.