St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-08-11

COCHRAN ana Tracy, OF New Ork; Will
son, of West Virginia: Johnson, of
OHIO, ana Catchings, Of Mississippi.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 10.-SloWly but
surely the lines of battle are being
drawn on the financial question. ana
before another day passes the country
VIII probably be acquainted with the
full plan of procedure. InnumerabIe
conferences have been held within the
past three days, most of them between
Eeif-cOnstituted committees. and many
OF them fTuitless: but out of the wrang-
ling plan has been finally evolved to-
day which is likely to win the approval
OF a majority Of ali the elements. The
great question has Deen not WhaU action
should be taken on the financial ques-
tien, DUt wnen that action is to taken,
and when the country may expect relief
from the present suspense. Tonight all
the Indications point to q drawn
battle on the floor of the house OF
representatives without a reference OF
the question: TO the committee on c0in-
age. weights and measures. Mr.. Bland.
VINO will probably be chairman Of that
committee, readily acquieS3es in the
programme to fight the battle out ON
the floor OF the house IN the committee
OF the whole, and in this arrangement
the anti-silYer men. of course, readily
agree. Two bills on which is TO turn
all the discussion on the financial ques-
tiOn were today fully prepared and ready
for presentation. Phe one drawn by
the anti-silver men is brief ana to the
point. 1t tersely provides for the un-
conditional repeal Of so much Of the
act of July IA. 1880. as directs the
monthly purchase OF 400, 900 ounces OF
silver bullion and the issuing of treas
ury notes thereon.
The Measure
drawn by the free scOinage people is
longer and IS unique in being drawn in
a manner which Will develop the great
est possible strength of the free coinage
clement on the floor OF the house. The
trsJ portion OF the bill provides that all
holders OF 500 or more worth of silver
bullion OF standard weight shall be en-
Titled to have the same coined into sill
yer dollars at the mints of the United
States. The dollars so coined are to be
legal tender for all debts. dues ana
demands, both public and private: and
any holder OF silver dollars may at his
discretion deposit the same in the
United States treasury and receive sill
yer certificates for the same. As to the
number OF grains of silver to be con.
tained i'll the standard dollar. the bill
says:
The silver dollar provided for in this
act snail consist OF - grains OF stand
ard silver" thus leaving the ratio
blank, to be determined on the floor OF
the house. The closing section of tht
bill provides briefly for the repeal OF the
Sherman purchasing cIause. thus max.
Ing the free coinage of silver at a re
yIsed ratio. to be determined by con
gress. condition precedent to the re
peal of the purchasing act. The bill
drawn by the free coinage men is re
garded by their opponents, as we'll a
by their friends, as the strongest meas
are that could be possibly presented b,
lhe silver men. 1t forces the discussion
frst on the question of whether a ma
jOrity of the house is i'll favor of tn
principle Of
RimeIaiIIsm.
This being determined. it calls for tn
Judgment Of the house on the ratio tina
should be established, thus rendering
compromise by practically abandoning
the time-hOnOred ratio of Is to 1. L
this way the silver men allege that n
excuse will be given the faltering fre
coinage men for an abandonment O
their principles. and every bimetallIs
will have to meet the issue squarely. O
20 home to his constituents as false t
free coinage. If the opponents of fre
coinage have the numerical! strength
they can. Of course, sHccessiyely strik
out every section of the bill relating I
free coinage. and leave only the las
section. which provides for the Immedi
ate repeal of the Sherman purchasin
clause. The great question still t
be determined is which of tn
two bills to be introduced
TO have priority OF consideration in tn
house. The numerous conferences mel
between the free coihage ana anti-silyt
men have been for the purpose of arri-
ing at an agreement. as to the order
consideration in the rhouse. To facil
tate this it is proposed that, in the al
senee Of rules, the house adopt a speci
rule which shall govern the consider
ton OF the financial questiin and perm
discussion to be opened without furtht
delay. The silver men fear that if IL
repeating bill should be taken up fir
the free coinage amendments whiC
would naturally be proposed nigh
under strict Interpretation of parli
nentary l2Ue be declageA Qet ga-.--.s;al