The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-21
Silver Men, Though Losing
Ground, Determined as Ever.
Mr.. VOORHEES, SURPRISED THEM
The Veteran Free Silver Agitator Now
Leading the Goldbugs.
Carlisle Maxes IN Argument Against 30
TO Coin.ge-A New National Bank
Bni-smasi Likelihood OF LssisIa-
sfon This Month.

WAsHIssros CIrY, Aug. o0.-HaIf a
month OF the special session of congress
has passed. and the third week of the
financial contest opens with both parties
confident, bur with many significant
changes in the situation. The Republican
senators from the silver states have reiter-
ated with greater emphasis loyalty to the
silver cause. while Voorhees,, with free
coinage record of twenty years, has sur
prised his former friends by declaring for
unconditional repeal of the Sherman act.
Thus the disappointment which the re-
peal men experienced when Vest of Mis-
souri, so emphaticalIy declared, for free
coinage and against unconditional repeal
has been more than Offset by the accession
to their ranks of Voorhees,, but the free
coinage men of the senate sre stlli resolute
and determined, and no one familiar with
the situation can hope for final settlement
of the question in the senate without an
almost endless discussion extending
through many weeks and votes upon in
Vulnerable propositions to be submitted by
the silver men in case OF the defeat of their
leading propositions
1t is not improbable that the coming
week may see the bill to permit national
banks to increase the issue of bank notes
forced TO q vote in the senate. and indica-
t,ons are that it will receive q majority
vote.
The silver men are just now criticising
Gov. Osborne. of Wyoming. for his delay
in appointing successor to Senator Beck
with. As any man appointed from wyo-
ming would, they believe. be silver
senator, they hold that the governor il
showing neglect Of free coinage interests
by not promptly appointing senator.
In the house last weeks discussion
brought little to encourage the free coin
age people. Congressman Bryan. one of
their most eloquent leaders, has spoken,
and his speech elected the highest praise,
but 1t is doubted by many whether even
such able efforts could change many votes
In the house now, so little does the situa-
ton seem to depend upon argument or
past predictions.
Congressman Bryan. who has by COM
mon consent been accorded the place of
chief lieutenant to Chairman Bland, gives
the following estimate of the situation:
"The canvass Is not sufficiently COM
plete to make an accurate statement as TO
the vote in the house. am satisfied,
however. that majority of the members
OF the house favor free coinage at some
ratio. Most Of the advocates of free
coinage favor the present ratio, is TO l.
but others favor ratios running as nigh as
2s TO ]. The propositions submitted to
the house do not 20 higher than 20 to 1,
but il no agreement is reached the friends
of free coinage will still oppose uncondi-
tlonal repeal, hoping TO secure affirmative
legislation after the committees are organ
lied. When the matter comes before con-
gress again it Is not only possible, but
probable, therefore, that unconditional re-
peal will be defeated, even if the silver
men fail to carry the free coinage or Bland
law. believe the sentiment in favor of
silver 10 increasing. and from letters /
have received / am satisfied the growth of
the sentiment Is not confined to the West.
What do think of unconditional repeal
with declaration in favor of bi-metal-
ism? Let me answer the question by
asking another: Would jury ecquit q
man charged with murder because the
prisoner had left q note saying he fully
intended to return and resuscitate the
victim f'
Wilson of West Virginia declined to give
any estimate of the vote at the end of the
discussion, and referred the questioner to
Congressman Tracey of New York, who
had charge of the canvass and who is
really recognized as the leader of the re-
peaiing forces.
I'VE have had canvass said Gen.
Tracey, land the result convinces us that
We have clear majority on every PROPOSE
tion after concedlng to our opponents
twenty-five doubtful votes. There is no
doubt an unconditional repeal bill will
pass, and every proposition and ratio pro-
posed by the silver people will be defeated
by n substantial vote. There can be no
doubt as TO the result, and the Sherman
act will be Internationally repealed"
Ex-Speaker Reed. leader of the Repub-
liean side, declined TO give any estimate of
the result or express any opinion, saying
he had not yet decided whether he would
even speak on the question or not
Congressman Jerry Simpson, leader OF
the Popuiist members in the house. has
taken a great deal OF satisfaction out of
the embarrassing situation in which the
tSo old parties find themselves. Simpson
said of the situation:
''It is my opinion the Sherman Law will
be repealed only on condition that we have
free coinage at the ratio OF 10 to or may be
less. which presume Cleveland will veto.
Now-as TO the effect on political parties. 1t
Is difficult az present 10 forecast with any
accuracy. One thing seems certain, .ha.
IL. the Democratic party is going 10 divide
on this monev question, which | think
will eventually land the free coinage men
in the Peoples party. Now that this rev.
olution is started there IS no telling where
il viii atop. surely not short of a complete
reorganization of political parties and the
adopt on OF sweeping reforms in our finan-
ciai system. The number of unemployed
Is increasing at the rate of thousands every
day and it Is likely half the Jaborinc ei ass
viii be out of work before the winter 10
upon us, and the agricultural community
viii find themselves without market for
their products, all or which will set them
thinking, and, as sure as fate If they once
start 10 reason things oat. il means anni-
hiiatson for one or the other of the old
parties, TO. they will be held responsible
ior the Ills the people suffer.
Ii is the expectation of the free coinage
men in the house that. whatever be the
result of the various votes on repeat. con-
ditionsl or unconditional. on the 18th, the
senate will, within short time, pass the
voorhees, bill 10 increase the volume OF
national bank notes and send the measure
to the house for its concurrence. People
who expect the house TO pass this pyopo-
sltion in toto and with promptitude are
likely TO be disappointed. Is will give
rise to prolonged debate, and the silver
men are preparing to meet the Voorhees,
bill with an even more liberal proposition.
They propose . measure which, instead Of
swelling the national bank curreney sis,-
coo 0op, ss contemplated BY the Voorhees,
till. would increase this circuiatiyn <Ss.
Go 90 and &C. the same time satisfy the
demands Of o strong element of the