The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-18
To Be Reported from the Finance Committee
TO the Senate To-Day and Fight Prob.
ably Precipitated on the Floor at Once
Denounced by a Silver Member as a Sop
and Meaningless Juggle of Words.
Little Interest In the Debate Yesterdsy-Rep-
resentative Henry .. johnson Tells Why He
Will Vets for Unconditional Repeal.


It Will Contain a Declaration In Favor Oh
Bimetnliism-What Members Say.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE meeting OF
the Senate finance committee to-day was
attended by every member. and conclusions
were reached which may enable the CON-
mittee to report O repeal bill tomorrow.
There has been, from the day the commit
tee first met this session. difference OF
opinion between the silver and anti-silver
men that apparently could not be recon-
ciled. and, although there had been q very
free discussion of the matter. these oiffer'
ences are no nearer settlement than when
the conferences began. The attitude OF
the chairman, Nix. Voorhees,. to-day. how
ever, gave the silver men on the COMMITTEES
but little hope. for he said that he would
vote to report favorably to repeal the bill
provided there was declaration coupled
with 1t declaring for bimetslism. The
bill. when reported, Will contain
such declaration. and the vote by which
1t will be reported is estimated by men,
bers of the committee at six 90 five. the
minority consisting OF Senators Harris.
Vest. Vance. Jones of Arkansas and Jonee
of Nevada. When the committee adjourned
ell had been substantially agreed upon
but the verbiage of the bill, aud particu.
larly the language of the declaration in
favor of bimetallism. When it is reported
the chairman will ask that day be fixed
for the taking of the vote. and the sug.
gestion will be made thst this day be ale
most Immediately after the conclusion Of
the vote of tho House. OF course. this
Will be opposed by Senators on the floor,
and among them will De members OF the
finance committee itself.
During discussion the committee every
member has 1T one time or another ex.
pressed himself as being in favor of bi.
metallism. but q difference of opinion ex-
lists as TO whether this country can main
tain q parity of the metals. Some have
argued that this cannot be done without
an international agreement. while other
members insisted that it could be accom-.
plished by an adjustment OF the ratio. and
special stress was laid upon the fact that
England was now coming the Indian rupee
st "a to l and maintaining the parity or
gold and silver at that proportion. Eng
land was to-day. 1t was asserted, buying
silver and coming IL at that ratio
and maintaining its parity: IL she
do likewise. However, the snti-silveT
men of the committee have refused 10 cone
slider any thing In the way of q com mpromiso,
and discuss the question OF increased ratio
q something that can only become feasible
after an international agreement There
has been the utmost good feeling In tho
committee, but 1t has bSen apparent all
along that the silver men. approaching the
hopelessness of the struggle there. have
been rather reticent and reserved their
heavy ammunition for the tight that WILL
come later on the floor of the Senate.
At the meeting to-day the draft OF the
declaration for bimetalllsm was submitted.
1t favors the continuance of the use of both
unln nd Gil ia a u m N
coinage. as unlimited legal tender. and de-
clares that all our forms of money. whether
gold, silver or paper. should be maintained
at q parity and equal IN purchasing power.
1t will further declare that every effort
shall be put forth to secure an interna-
tional agreement for the adoption of a
fixed ratio between gold and silver. This
declaration, prominent member OF the
committee stated. would be worded so that
it co uld be Interpreted any way to suit the
position of the member. Ambiguity.
he boldly stated. would be sought. rather
than avoided. In order that the Dill
might be reported. With the favorable re-
port on repeating the purchasing clause Of
the Sherman act. coupled by the declsra-
tion here Indicated. the committee was
able to at least transfer the scene of tho
struggle to the floor of the Senate. and, ac-
cOrding to the programme of to-day, the
report will be made to- morrow. subeeQuent'
events to become matters OF conjecture.
Amember of the committee opposed to
the purchase of silver said he believed the ,
bill would carry ii IL could be brought TO q
vote. aud that there were twenty-five Re-
publieans and eighteen Democrats who
would vote for the bill. not counting three
or four others who might be considered In
the Same column. He thought the Senate
would agree TO q time for vote after the
result In the House was known. On the
other hand silver mem ber of the COMMITTEES
stated in positive language that they were
not children to be fooled by SOD In the
shape of O sample declaration that was bus
O juggling of words and IN eant nothing.
When the bill came before the Senate, he
declared, the silver men wonld amend it so
that Mr.. Voorhees, would be compelled TO
vote for 1t. The Senator secuted the idea
of there being votes sufficient to pass the
bill, and added that the men from the sill
yer States were here to tight day and nIght
for their principles. and If It resulted in q
test of endurance the country would find
out who was best able to stand the strain.
The indications are that If Mr.. Voorhees, re-
ports the bill tomorrow and asks that day
be fixed for the vote be will start fight on
the dlreot proposition that will be kept up
for long time.