Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-21

WASHINGTON, d. c., August 2o.-A
half month Of the special session OF
Congress has passed and the third week
OF the financial contest opens with both
parties confident, but with many sig
niicaut chsnges in the situation. The
developments Of the week that has
gone have brought surprises TO both ele-
ments and heye demonstrated the i'm
possibility OF partisan politics entering
into the battle.
The Republican Senators from the sill
YER States have reiterated with greater
emphasis their loyalty TO the silver
cause. while Dan Voorhees,, the Demo
cratic Senator from Indiana, with free
coinage record Of twenty years, has sur
prised his former friends by declaring
for the unconditional repeal of the Sher-
man act, and as chairman Of the Finance
Committee has cast the deciding vote
for the favorable report Of such a meas
ure TO the Senate.
Thus the disappointment which the
repeal men experienced when Senator
Vest, Of Missouri, emphatically declared
for free coinage and against uncOndi-
tional repeal has been more shan Offset
bv the accession TO their ranks Of the
distinguished Chairman of the Commit
tee on Finance. But the free coinage
men Of the Senate are still resolute aud
determined, and no one familiar with
the situation can hope for a final settle
ment OF the question in the Senate with
out almost endless discussion, extending
through many weeks and votes upon in
Vulnerable propositions to be submitted
By the silver men ia case Of the defeat
OF their leading proposition.
1T Is NOT IMPROBABLE
that the coming week may see the bill
e. permit national banks 10 increase
their issue Of bank notes 70 the par
value OF their United States bonds on
deposit forced 90 a vote ia the Senate,
and the indications are that IL will re-
oeive a majority vote. Some Of the sill
YER Senators are In favor OF resisting all
remedial legislation whatever unless
there be coupled with it a law for the
free coinage Of silver, but the majority
apparently consider this policy Ill
advised, and do not think the silver
men can afford 20 oppose the currency
bill, which will Immediately swell the
volume OF National bank notes $500
600 OF more and not tend 20 affect 10
any degree the essential merits OF the
free coinage question. Any legislation
further than this will meet with a solid
phalanx of opposition from the silver
men aud IN they see any probability OF
finding themselves in a minority they
will demand prompt action on the con-
tested cases of Senators Mantle and Al
len whose admission, it Is believed, will
give the silver element at least two
more votes 10 the United States Senate.
In the House, the last weeks dis
cussion has brought but little TO encOur-
age the free coinage people. Congress
man Bryan, one OF their most eloquent
sadsrs, has spoken and his speech has
eiicited the highest praise, but 10 is
doubted by many whether even such
able efforts could change many votes 10
the House now, so little does the situa-
tlOu seem 20 depend upon argument or
past predictions.
When seen by the Associated Press
representative to-day CONGRESSMAN
Bland declined 20 give any estimate OF
the result OF the vote on the various
relative propositions, saying that he
had made no canvass Of the sentiment
Of the House.
CONGRESSMAN BRYAN,
who by common consent is accorded the
place OF chief lieutenant 70 Chairman
Bland. gave the following estimate Of
the situation:
The canvass Is not sufficiently COM
Ulete % make an accurate statement as
10 the vote in the House. / am salts
fed, however that a majority OF the
members OF the House favor free coin
age at some ratio. Most OF the advo-
Gates Of free coinage are in favor Of the
present ratio Of is TO 1, but others
favor other ratios running IS
high as 2S TO l. The PROPOSE
lions submitted TO the House do not 90
higher than 20 20 / lbut # no agree
ment is reached the friends OF free
coinage will still oppose unconditional
repeal, hoping 10 secure some atirma-
live legislation after the committees are
organized when the matter comes be-
fore Congress again, IL is not only
possible. but probable, therefore, that
\ unconditional repeal will be defeated
even il the silver men fail 20 carry free
coinage or the Bland bill"
Mr.. Wilson, OF West Virginia, de-
cUned 10 give any estimate OF the vote
AT the end Of the discussion, and re-
ferred the QueStiOner % Congressman
Tracey, OF New York, who has had
charge OF the canvass, and who Is
really recognized as the leader Of the
repeating forces.
ave have made a canvass" said
Gen. Tracey, "and the result has con-
vinced as that we have clear majority
an every prOpOsitiOn-after cOnceding
N our opponents twenty-five doubt
mi votes There is no doubt
thar the unconditional repeal OF
tbe bin will pass and that every
o-onositlon and ratio proposed by the
silver people will be defeated by sub
staotial vote. Even cOnceding to them
o,erv one of the doubtful votes, we
have still clear majority on every
nroDosition. There can be no doubt as
- tbe result. and the sherman act will
he unconditi0nally repealed.
Ex-S9eaker Reed, the leader OF the
Renublican side, declined TO give any
estimate Of the result, or express any