The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-10
Democratic Caucus Fails to Agree
Upon a Silver Plan.
IT NOV LOOKS LIKE A REPEAL
with Free Coinage ut an Increased Ratio,
as the Plan Quite Likely to Gain
strength Democrats Don't Seem to
Know what to DO.
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS.

WASHINGTON. Aug. l0-Almost every
Democratic senator was present at the
party caucus held yesterday. The meet
ing was convened at 1890 O'Clock, and
when the hour Of noon arrived nothing
definite had been accomplished, and an
adjournment was taken until Immediately
after the adjournment Of the senate.
The resolution of Mr.. Hale, which SO
suddenly and UNEXPECTEDLY brought the
question OF speedy repeal of the Sherman
law before the senate, was thought by
some Democrats, placed them in posi-
tion where conference became necessary
in order that the policy OF the party
might be discussed and unanimity Of ae-
ton agreed upon.
AS might te expected, with the Demo
Gratis divided upon this subject as are the
Republicans, there was a diversity Of
opinion, and a vast amount of unimportant
talk was INDUCED ip, with the inevitable
result of nothing being determined upon
when the noon hour came around.
A Lively Discussion.
The discussion was decidedly animated.
No definite proposition was advanced, and
when the caucus adjourned it was just as
much at sea as when 1t was called to-
gether.
Immediately after the caucus numerous
conferences were had between the Demo
Gratis and free silver Republicans of the
same persuasion, the result of which was
apparent as soon as the journal was read.
A motion was made to adjourn, and it
was noticeable that the silver Republi-
cans voted with the Democrats to carry
out that proposition. This was taken as
an evidence of desire for time, and the
caucus Immediately reassembled.
Both sides Firm.
The afternoon caucus was almost as
unproductive of results as the morning
session. Most of the time was consumed
in the expression of individual views
which clearly demonstrated that each
element in the party was firmly welded
to its own notions. One senator, who oc-
cupies high position in the finance COM
mittee and whose leaning toward free
silver Is pronounced, declared positively,
"You can set it down as certainty that
the Sherman act will not be repealed un-
conditionally."
Some senator's who have sided with the
president said rather despondently that
while no tangible advance had been made
toward point where the party could be
regarded as united, they had not abandoned
hope that the efforts In that direction
might eventually result in success.
II is gathered from this that the condi-
tional repeal proposition is gaining in
strength and that certain Of the ultra sill
yer men are preparing to follow in the di-
rection indicated by the leaders In the sill
yer caucus In the houselyesterday, namely,
towards repeal with free coinage at an in
creased ratio.
1t was rather a sig niflcant fact that the
silver men appeared to have less anxiety
than their opponents about the result Of
the caucus, as was evinced by their con-
duct while the senators were discussing
the situation, number of them leaving
the room and going TO the restaurant,
where they calmly indulged in luncheon,
apparently unconcerned as to what was
going on in the chamber above. Neither
party in the senate has ever been able to
caucus with com plete success on the sub-
ject of silver, and the result of yesterdays
caucus WAS no exception to the rule So,
after exhaustipg the possibilities Of debate,
the caucus fell back upon the ofttried ex-
pedient of delegating to a committee the
task of endeavoring to arrange plan of
business that should be satisfactory to all
sides.
Figuring on n Committee.
Mr. German, the chairman of the caucus,
was authorized TO appoint this committee,
and the caucus itself adjourned subject
to his call, which will be issued as soon as
the committee has reached an agreement
and Is prepared to submit report for
action. Imm ediately after adjournment
of the caucus Mr. German repaired to the
room OF the committee ON Appropriations
and called into consultation Senators
Blackb burn, Gray, Ransom and VOORHEES,.
Senator Cockrell was invited 70 remain In
the room.
All these. with the exception Of Senator
Gray, were members of the Democratic
caucus committee of the last session, and
although Mr.. German had not made his
appointments mt the time OF the consulta-
tion, their presence gave color to the ex-
pectation that they would be named as
members OF the caucus committee.
At the conclusion Of this informal eau
Gus at 5:l5 d. m, Senator German said he
would not appoint the committee author
lied by the caucus until this afternoon.
Long Debate and Compromise.
Senator Hawley says that he sees no
prospect of immediate relief from existing
uncertainty by tho action of congress.
The Indications are, he thinks. that there
is to be long and acrimonious debate,
with strong probability that 1t will not
be possible TO secure the unconditional re-
peal of the silver purchase clause. The
gossip is, he says, that. after a long
struggle, compromise bill may be passed,
providing for the repeal of the silver pur-
chase clause and free coinage Of silver,
with an increased ratio.