The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-08-11
SILVER IN CONGRESS.

Bourke Cochran to Lead the Anti-Fres
Coinage Forces Stubborn Contest
Likely.
WASHINGTON, Aug. a-For the first
time in many years the anti-free coin
age men are the aggressive element in
the house of representatives Since
the demonstration of silver in 1878 the
silver men have been an aggressive
element in every congress and have
yearly demanded that atonement be
offered for the crime Of '73"
and that silver be restored to
its place as money metal.
The militant spirit of the free coinage
element is still to the front, but there
has suddenly appeared an equally ag-
gressive spirit among the hitherto con-
servative anti-free coinage men who
have now assumed the aggressive
and demanded that the purchasing
clause OF the Sherman act be repealed
and that it be done Internationally and
at once. The leader of this element is
man who never follows, but always
leads, Hon. Bourke Cochran, of New
York. He has been known for years
as the high chieftain of Tammany, as
q >
but now he appears in a new role-the
popularity recognized champion of the
presidents financial policy in the halls
of congress 1t is the element that has
Bourke Cochran at it's head that to-day
hoists the black flag and declares no
quarter to the advocates of free COIN
age. The immediate and uncondition-
al repeal of the Sherman act without
reference to committee is the policy
of Mr.. Cochran and he to-day conferred
with the silver men to induce them
to agree upon a plan whereby the issue
would be fought out in the halls of con-
gress without awaiting the appoint
ment of the committee and the refer
ence customary under the rules.
According to Mr.. Bland, no agree
ment upon the subject of the silver de-
bate in the house is probable just yet.
He said last evening to n reporter of
the Associated press that Mr.. Cochran
and himself had been talking about the
matter, but no authorized proposition
had been made and no conclusion
reached.
81 told Mr.. Cochran that l would
consult with those interested with me
L
not yet been able to do so.'
what were the terms of the PROPOSE
ton Mr.. Cochran made?"
There has been nothing definite
proposed as yet. Mr.. Cochran asked if
we would consider a proposition look
ing to an arrangement under which
the silver question could be discussed
at once and told him we would listen
to him.
What condition, or limitation, gov
erning the situation would be accepta-
BILE to the silver menu
ave do not want to unduly delay
action in the premises" responded Mr..
Bland, ''but we must have opportunity
to offer, discuss and vote upon amend
ments which we shall offer to bill to
repeal the Sherman law This must be
granted or there can be, in my opinion,
no agreement regarding the matter"
The position of Mr.. Bland is accepted
by the anti-silver men rs an indication
that the free coinage people will stub
bornly contest every stage of repeal
and yiald nothing that is not wrested
by the force of superior strength on
successive roll calls-if, indeed, the re-
pCdllllS HiSh udNc tlC numerical
strength to successfully force the issue
to a determination. In statement to
the press last night Mr.. Cochran eX-
planned that his proposition to Mr..
Bland related rather to measures than
time.
1.-The whole question" he said. sis
exhausted in three propositions, viz:
First, to repeal the silver purchase act
Internationally; second, to repeal the
silver purchase law and revive the
Bland act of rs; third, to repeal the
silver purchase law and provide for the
free coinage of silver. My suggestion
is that these be offered to the house in
turn and debated as fast as they are
defeated, if they should be defeated.
Let everybody talk that wants to, and
on these three propositions everybody
can be heard"
"What limit of time do you propose?"
81 shall make none that will not be
entirely agreeable to Mr.. Bland, for it
must be of such duration that the house
will approve and adopt it. We can do
nothing in this way except by general
consent. But what / want, and, if you
please, the anti-silver men want, is that
the country may know that this house
will go right to work on the subject at
once and come to a vote some time"