The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-05
THE FIGHT OVER SILVER
n QUIET But SYSTEMATIC VAR
BEING WAGED
As Result OF Senator Hiil's Notice That
He Would Call Up the Bill to Repeal the
Sherman Act Next Monday.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "A very quiet
but systematic fight on the silver question
is in progress in the Senate. as the result
OF Mr.. Hills notice that he would call up
the bill to repeal the Sherman act on
Monday next. Under the rules of the
Senate the motion TO take up the bill Is
not debatable, and the work that is done
by the friends and opponents Of the meas
ure must necessarily be accomplished by
rleans OF q personal canvass This has
developed the fact that there is a differ
ence Of opinion among the opponents OF
the repeal as TO what is the better policy,
but majority OF them appear to be in
favor OF voting down the motion TO take
up the bill. This is the plan Of Mr.. Teller,
who, while not fearful of the result of the
final vote, believes In fighting IL from the
start, and hitting II hard at every oppOr-
tunity. Those silver men who think 1t
would be better to call up the bill believe
they can thoroughly tire the advocates Of
repeal by precipitatiDg a long debate,
which will interfere with other business
and cause them willingly to drop the sub
Ject. In addition 10 this. they want the
satisfaction of Loading it down with
amendments and otherwise jisfguring 1t.
so that its warmest champions would not
vote for 1t. Among these amendments is
the one offered by Mr.. Wolcott. providing
for the coinage Of the bullion now N the
Treasury.
Mr.. Stewart will. II he Is given he
chance, offer an amendment providing
for free coinage, and there are those
among the ultra silver advocates who
maintain that such an amendment would
pass.
1t is claimed by the silver men that all
the Democrats who voted for free coin
age Will do so again, with the exception OF
possibly two. On the other hand, there Is
said to be a feeling on the part Of three or
four leading Republicans who are not sill
Yer men, and who do not want the re-
peal passed that 1t would be bad pole
for them to antagonize Mr.. Sherman and
the others who are pushing the repeal. 1t
is said that these men will unwillinsly
vote to consider the measure, and then,
should it come up. will do some quiet
but energetic work in the directiol Of
bringing about is defeat.
Mr.. Teller is confident that the motion
of Mr.. Hill will be defeated, and thinks
the majority against him will be i'm the
neighborhood Of a dozen. Even IL the
two Democrats who voted for free coin
age before and are now classed as doubt
full, vote for consideration, the silver
men are confident they can defeat the
motion TO take the bill up by at least ten
votes. 1t IS very likely. from present in
dications, that the test will be made on
the first motion.
SO far as Mr.. Sherman's implied threat
that the rules OF the Senate might be
changed is concerned, the silver men
profess Indifference, and say that the
changes necessary 10 carry out Mr.. Sher-
mans plan could not possibly be brought
about in time to accomplish anything at
this late day in the session.
The advocates Of a repeal Of the Sher-
man Bullion Purchase act continued to-
day in the House to circulate their petit
tions in favor Of a cloture amendment
to the rule for consideration of the An
drew-Cate bill. There was only slim
attendance OF members, so that many
new signatures could not be obtained All
of the Democrats from New York except
Mr.. Cummings have signed. Mr.. Cum
mings wants more time to think over the
matter. The number Of signatures OBJ
tained thus far falls considerably short
Of a majority for the Democrats Of the
House, and apprehensions are felt that
IL will be impossible 10 obtain the de-
sired majority. a number Of signatures
can be obtained If assurance be given that
some compromise measure will be sub
stituted for the present law. Members OF
this mind say that ii is asking too much
Of them to repeal the present and leave
no other act for furnishing a continued
addition TO the circulating medium in its
place.
Missionary work among the Republican
members OF the House has begun. An
anchor has been cast to windward by the
Democrats in favor of the repeal, and
efforts are being made 10 get most Of the
Republicans in line on an agreement to
support the Democrats in voting down
the previous question on the order re-
ported by the Rules Committee. and then
voting in favor of cloture in case il be
found that the same result cannot be
achieved by securing the signatures Of
a majority Of the Democrats TO the petit
tons in circulation. It is believed that
II the Republicans will give cordial and
fairly united support they. with the re-
peal Democrats. will constitute majority
Of the House.