The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-24
Unconditional Repealers Now Talking
of Changing the Senate Rules and
Forcing a Vote.
FAVORED BY MIR. CLEVELAND
Conference Between the President
and Several Senator'S.
Silverites Still Hopeful of Winning
Filibustering to Be Renewed with
Yigor-Jones's Long Speech.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-Many and start
ling as have been the changes which have
taken place in the situation with reference
to the repeal bill since that measure was
introduced in the Senate there has never
before been day which has witnessed so
many as has the one which closed with
Senator Faulkner's motion for a recess at
o'clock this afternoon. The day started
in with the announcement that the corlpro-
mise was off Many were inclined to
doubt an announcement this morning that
the administration had set its seal of dis
approval upon the Democratic compromise,
but very little inquiry was necessary to
satisfy them of the correctness of this state
ment. Then came the talk on the part of
some Senators of adjournment as the best
remedy for the situation. and that was soon
met with the assertion that cloture would
be the proper thing the programme.
Speedily were these announcements fol-
lowed with the rumor that the silver men
were willing to surrender Internationally
and allow the repeal bill to be passed with
out further opposition. Lastly, came the
definite announcement, made almost stimuli
taneously. that there would be no effort to-
morr wv at cloture, and the silver men had
reorganized their forces and were prepared
to continue the fight indefinitely.
The most interesting development Of the
day was on the silver side Whether given
out in earnest or for purpose. some Of
the silver Senators announced, when they
heard that the compromise bill would not
be presented, that they would make no
more factiotIs opposition. but would give
way as soon as their prepared speeches
were concluded and let the repeal bill pass.
Senator Dubois was instrumental in bring
ing about the startling change which be-
came apparent about O'Clock. He crossed
over to the Democratic side of the cham
Der and began to investigate. He met with
much encouragement. The situation was
changed in ten minutes. Senator Pugh's
services were soon enlisted, and he went to
work with a will. The result was, he said,
the finding of several silver Democrats
who had heretofore refused to fIlibuster at
all who were willing to do all in their
power and TO use whatever means might
appear most effective to prevent the reach
ing Of vote upon repeal. He said there
were ten or twelve Democrats who would
stand out to the end to prevent this result,
and who would resort to filibustering, pure
and simple, to accomplish their purpose,
If necessary. Meantime the Populists-Pef-
Ger, Allen and Kyle-had gathered about
Senator PETERS desk. An hour before Mr..
PETER had authorized the statement that
the Populists were willing to throw UP
their hands. When thev came out of this
conference into which Dubois was invited
before its close, they were all prepared to
continue the war to the bitter end.
When seen at o'clock, Senator Faulkner
said "Haif an hour ago / told you vote
would be taken in a week; now It looks
further off than ever
Senator Hawley was encountered hurry
ing to catch a train at o'clock. He was
on the eve of starting to the worlds fair.
'It looks to me-" he said, "as If we were
about where we were on the 7th of
August last. / had hoped to see the bill
through, but feel that must see the fair,
and it now looks as if 1 might visit it and
get back in time for the finish"
CLOTURE GOSSIP
Cloture is question which Senator'S dis
cuss in a whisper since the hot words of
last week. There can be little doubt that
Senator Voorhees, had in mind early in the
day when he said he would ask for an ao-
journment instead of a recess tonight the
bringing up of the cloture resolution to-
morrow. When he afterwards allowed Mr..
Faulkner to move a recess instead of an
adjournment he cut off all possibility of
taking that question up tomorrow. What
he may design later in the week is not
known. He may be awaiting the return of
Senator Hill, who is the real author of the
closure resolution, and he may be of the
opinion that the Senate is not in temper
for the discussion of that question, debate
upon which generally excites more feeling
than upon any other topic. There are,
however, some Senator'S who think 1T
should be given preference over all other
topics
Senator'S Palmer and Mcpherson and
other repeal Senators had a long confer
ence with the President to-day. When he
returned to the Senate chamber Mr. Palm
er said he thought cloture would be under
taken soon. 'It has come" he said, ito be
a question whether the minority shall rule;
II Is more important even than the flnan-
cial question. We shall have to have that
fight OUT 1t is believed that Senator PALM
or expressed the sentiments of the execu-
tive. The Senator's with whom he talked
got that impression. IF this is true" said
one of the Republican Senator'S who had
been anxious for compromise; II this
Is true we shall have to reform the lines
Minority rule was not mentioned In the
proclamation calling for the extra session.
During the day Speaker Crisp was on
the door OF the Senate great deal in con-
conference with many of the Senator'S and
Vice president Stevenson descended from
the chair and sat for a long time in con-
yersation with Senator voorhees,.
There Is no mistaking the fact that many
of the silver Democratic Senator's feel
greatly relieved that the compromise
amendment is not to be offered. They say
that they surrendered all their convictions
In order to promote harmony and secure
a settlement of the question contrary to
their best judgment, and they are more
than willing to have the administration
take the responsibility Of not accepting
the settlement Some of the repeal Sem
ators who have heretofore stood stanchly
by the administration are also criticising
the course which has been pursued in the
compromise matter by the administration.
This is especially true of the repeal MEM
bers of the steering committee. There Is
no doubt that they were led to believe be-
fore the agreement was signed that the
compromise would be approved by the ad-
ministration. and that the President was
at least willing that the bill. as 1t was to
be amended should be passed. They say