Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-10
SILVER CONFERENCE.
Free Coinage and Anti-Slver Men
Discuss Matters.
PROPOSITION OF TIE SILVER COMMITTEE
Opposition of the Anti-Siker Men
to the Plans.
SITUATION UNCHANGED,

The committee appointed by the silver
caucus yesterday have agreed on a propo-
siton to go ahead with the consideration
OF silver bill at once. Their proposition
Is practically that which has been discussed
and involves the Introduction of q bill one
section Of which repeals the Sherman law
ana one section provides for the free COIN
age OF silver at a ratio not named. They
agree to vote on amendments fixing DIFF
ferent ratios until one Is reached which can
be agreed on. and then to take q vote on
a substitute striking out the whole bill as
SO constructed. and providing for the un-
conditional repeal Of the Sherman law.
The point of the agreement is that II al
lowed to vote on the amendments which
they propose providing for the coinage of
silver the silver men will offer no obstruc-
ton to a direct vote on the question of an
unconditional repeal Of the Sherman law
Inc purpose was to go ahead with the
matter In the House today IL possible and
70 40 SO recess was taken until time
should be given for the anti-silver men to
decide whether or not they would agree to
Ine proposition as adopted by the silver men.
secretary Carlisle was in conference with
Mr.. Cochran and Mr.. Tracey this morning
considering the proposition. Their confer
the meeting of the House arrived. and hence
the recess.
Some Antf-Silver Opposition.
There Is some opposition or the part Of
anu-silver men to the agreement proposed
though 1t gives them a direct vote on the
proposition they wish to carry. for the rea-
son that some Of them think that II they
do not have an agreement they can get a
direct vote on q proposition to repeal with
out giving any opportunity on amendments
providing for coinage of silver. The silver
They hold that in ali fairness both propo.
sitions should be voted on without any OBJ
struction. and that a majority should con-
gard as an attempt to trick them, and they
would meet It with a stubborn flibuster
Unable to Reach an Agreement.
The proposition In reSari to the ratio of
coinage advanced by the free silver men
was opposed by the ant-silver men and
when the conference took recess the anti
silver representatives met to further dis
cuss the matter
They were also Unable to reach an agree
ment respecting the conduct of the Discus
mittee of the free silver caucus. the anti
silver men say the advocates Of silver did
not make sufficiently definite proposals
One element Of this indefiniteness is
said to be included in the suggestion that
the beginning Of the discussion be postpon-
ed until the rules of the House shall have
been adopted, 1t was argued on this behalf
that 1t would not require more than five
9he Ses .0r 5he ,bs houss to adopt
and then the debate could proceed In an
orderly manner. and with some assurance
OF ability to enforce the terms of the agree
ment that should be entered into.
The gentlemen composing the confererc ce
are; are Free silver men-Messrs, Bland. Boatner.
ings Oates and Lane. Anti-silver men
Messrs. Cochran. Tracey, Harter Rayner.
Lapham. Gassenhainer. Coombs. Fitch, VIII
son CIV. Fa.), and John Dewitt Warner
The situation at l o'clock, at which time
the House reconvened, was un changed The
anti-slver men had not reported to the sill
made by the latter.
After waiting for an hour for an agree
sen to beSn toav sh Hos the silver discus
being then apparent that no agreement
could be reached In time for anything to
be done today.
How the Case Stands.
1t is now the .anti-silver men who are
standing in the way of an immediate con-
sideration Of the question The silver men
having agreed that a vote might be had on
both sides Of the question. SO as to fairly
get the sentiment of the House, the anti
silver men. OF, rather. some of them. have
been seized with fear that there must be
some parliamentary advantage to the other
SIDE In the proposition, and they therefore
insist that 1t should not be accepted.
ment are still very cry p good. but the Delay delay
IL in the fact that some Of the anti-siiver
men are opposed to- giving as much time
do not want to let the silver men have a
vote on their proposition for coinage. but
want to confine the vote to the repeal bill
without chance to amend by any condition,
and still others. as it appears, do not want
the matter disposed Of in this sudden way,
without their having had a chance to get
peal 1t Is believed that this latter personal
feeling is strongest in preventing action.
position taken by those of the anti-silver
men who are assuming the attitude OF OBJ
structionists. The only way the Sherman
law can be repealed Is by getting a vote
on 1t and majority in favor Of repeal:
be taken, they shrink from it and offer OBJ
}ections to secure delay. They appear to
be afraid to let the question be tested In
the House by direct vote
The silver men are found In the attitude
OF being ready to 60 ahead and vote on
anything and everything.
Why They Want . Simple Reueal Biu
As the silver men understand It, the rea-
son the anti-silver men want to put in n
repeal bill as the first proposition before
the House is that such a bill would not be
amendable so as to add a provision for
repeal of the law and for the coinage of
silver would be amendable by striking out
the provision for coinage. but to a simple
repeal bill an amendment providing for
not be voted on.
The jealousy between the rival leaders
IN the New York delegation appears to have
been compromised by putting Tracey and
Cochran on equal terms In the conference
The two rode to the Capitol today in the
same carriage, and Secretary Carlisle con-
@Ierfed @ WITH WITH both OF them at once thus
giving both OF them the sanction of the
administration In measure and disposinR
OF the controversy as to which is the adj.
ministration representative in Congress.