The record-union., 1893-08-09
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oS.

Money Question.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoS.
/ WASHINGTON, Aug. 9-The indications
are that the financial fight in Congress
will begin at once and that it will be
fought to a finish. Investigations already
show that nearly two-thirds of the MEM
bers of the House favor the question be-
ing settled in Committee of the Whole,
without reference to standing commit
tee. Under the rules the question would
lave first to go to the Committee on Com
spe: but there is disposition to suspend
the rules, and it is believed assurances
win be given the silver advocates that
they will be given fair chance to DEBATE
the question in all its phases, and that,
with this understanding, they Will con-
cent to its Immediate consideration with
cut reference to committee.
The intention of the advocates OF the
repeal OF the Sherman Act is to suggest a
reasonable time for debate on all ques-
tions. with the understanding that vote
viii be taken at the conclusion. This
course, it is understood, is with the con-
sent, if not the advice, of the President.
The plan is to have the free-silver men
open the ball with bill embodying their
demands, then the anti-silver men Will
present substitute bills embodying their
IDEAS, whereupon the battle will be Joined
and the struggle begun. Both sides are
Of the opinion that vote can be reached
In two weeks after the debate has begun.
Cochran of New York, representing
the anti-silver men, says they Will not
make more than three speeches, leaving
the rest of the time to the siiverites. 1t is
hoped by this means to prevent filibuster-
ing and all parliamentary sharp practice.
Bland has given assurance that no at
tempt will be made by the silver men to
Glibuster.
Among the many compromises that
viii be proposed is one by Bankhead OF
Alabama, for the suspension OF the Sher-
mau Act till the end of the present year,
and authorizing the national banks TO in
crease their circulation to par with their
bonds.
AS a result of canvasses, the frlends OF
the unconditional repeal of the purchas-
ing clause of the Sherman Act are good
deal more confident that they will carry
their point. 1t looks like a majority for
it in both houses, though it will not be
put through without hard fight. The
claim is that the sentiment of the country
is so strongly in favor of repeal that the
opposition will not dare to flibuster
against it.
The silver men, on the other hand,
laugh at the proposition that repeal can
be carried without a compromise. They
declare it cannot be put through the Sem
ate in six months.
Senator Carey of Wyoming has sur
prised his silver friends by coming out
flat-flooted for the repeal of the silver
clause of the Sherman Act Immediately
and Internationally. 1t is intimated that
Manderson of Nebraska and others may
be driven to vote for it rather than delay
action.
Senator Vest to-day introduced bill
to fix the number of grains of gold and
silver in the gold and silver coins of the
United States the silver dollar to contain
454 4-IO grains of pure silver or 5l6 grains
of standard silver.
Vest also offered joint resolution set
ting forth that the American people,
from tradition and interest, favor BIZ
metallism; that it is the established policy
of the United States to maintain the
parity between gold and silver, and that
it is the duty of Congress to speedily en-
act such laws as will effectually main
tain these objects.
The most significant bill introduced in
the Senate, perhaps, was the one by Sem
Rtor Hill of New York. The measure he
presented to-day leaves no doubt as to
his position on the financial issue. While
repeating the purchasing clause of the
Sherman Act, it unqualifiedly pledges the
country to bimetallism. Senator Hills
bill is as follows:
"a bill to repeal certain sections of the
Act of July ID, 1890, entitled An Act di-
recting the purchase of silver bullion and
the issue of Treasury notes thereon, and
for other purposes is hereby repealed.
''Section ?. This repeating Act, how
ever, is not to be construed as abandon
ing bimetallism, but it is hereby declared
that the policy of using both gold and
silver as standard money of the country
shall be established. and TO the accom-
plishment of that end the efforts of the
Government shall be steadily and safely
Greeted
The Western people are felicitating
themselves tonight on the position as
sumed by Senator Hill. They are pleased
that he should have so unqualifiedly
pledged himself TO bimetallism as to in
dicate his willingness to favor subse-
ouent legislation looking to the restora-
ton of silver as n money metal.
The Republican Senators held a caucus
to-day and discussed the situation from
various points of view. No fixed policy
was determined upon. 1t was agreed that
the Democrats must assume the response
tiIity fer all that is done, but at the same
time the Republicans will be guided by
patriotic impulses, and do what they
think is proper to help the country in
remedying the evils that are believed to
exist. 1t is probable another caucus will
be held soon.
BEFORE CONGRESS.