Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-04
Scores of Statesmen FlOcking to the
National Capital.
CROWDS IN HOTEL CORRIDORS.
Obiector Holman and ex-Chair-
man Springer Of the Ways and
Means Committee Among the
Late Arrivals-Silver Discuss
ion Occupies the Attention Of
All-The Views of New Ar
rivals Eagerly Sought.
pseia. Telegram to tn, Rs7tM.r.

pseial TsEsgrdm to th' Rs1tsEsr.
WAsHINGroN, D. c., August 3.-To-
day Congressman came 10 town by the
dozen instead of by twOs and threes,
ana tonight the city has the lively air
that comes with the Congressional ses-
sion.
Men whose names are household
words all over the country are to be
seen in numbers about the hotels, and
everywhere is heard talk Of the extra
session, and what the outcome OF the
financial contest is likely TO be.
The prospects of repeal OF the Sher-
man law is the burden Of conversation
in every group of statesmen, and the
opinion Of each newly-arrived member
or Senator on the question Of the hour
is eagerly sought.
Bland, leader OF the silver hosts, has
arrived, still vehment for free coinage,
and so has General Tracy OF Albany,
who commanded the anti-sllver forces
in the last Congress.
Holman, the great objector, is also
on hand, as well as Springer, who was
chairman Of the ways and means COM
mlttee in the last congress, but will
now have to give up that place TO VIII
son, Of West Virginia.
As new arrivals come in, the feeling
that a satisfactory compromise on the
financial question will bs reached does
not diminish.
All Democrats seem to feel the weight
of their responsibility to the country
and are anxious that wrangling and
financial radicalism shall be g., avoided,
and a safe and statesman-like course be
adopted in dealing with the question OF
the hour.
Before Congress gets to work there
will be a conference held among the
leaders in both the House and Senate
to talk over the situation and determine
lust how wide their differences are aud
what the prospects are of their coming
together on some fair understanding.
II the signs are favorable there may
be a party caucus held TO determine
upon a general liue Of policy, leaving
out details, but great care will be taken
to prevent the financial question becom-
ing purely party question.
representative Springer's opinion is
that Congress will not be in session for
more than a week or ten days In Aug
ust. In that time the hopeful Mr..
Springer thought the silver purchase
clause OF the Sherman act could be
reJealed aDd the ways and means
committee could be empowered TO
draft tariff bill for submission to Con-
gress when il recOnvened, which should
be some time in October. As TO the tar
iff, it would be impossible for the Ways
and Means Committee 10 do justice TO the
subject while the House was in constant
session; there are two disturbing ele-
ments, and the surroundings are not IA
vorable for wise and safe legislation.
But If the committee was empowered to
prepare a bill, aud was allowed TO go to
some quiet place on the seashore or else
here and pursue it's labors unmolested,
the resslt would be satisfactory bill.
Touching the course of the ways and
means committee, In dealing with the
tariff, Mr.. Springer said it would doubt
less report one general tariff bill instead
of a series Of specific bills. That policy
had done good service last Con-
gress, but the time was now at
hand when the Democratic party
must redeem its pledges and reform the
entire tariff system. To do this would
not involve any radical change in the
rules of the House, for Mr.. Springer be-
lleves that a majority can always reach
an expression OF its will through the
committee ou rules, which can bring IN
special rule to fight each case as IL
arises. Mr.. Springer had not seen Mr..
Crisp, so he did not say anything re-
spectlng the composition Of the COM
mittees or his own place upon them.
If the President parts company
With the Chicago platform l believe his
party will part company with him, J"
were the significant words uttered by
Representative Oates this afternoon as
he discussed the situation. The
Chicago platform, upon which
he was nominated and which
the people endorsed in such
laundering tone last November, calls
for the repeal OF the Sherman law aud
the maintenance OF gold and silver as
money upon parity. Any scheme
which cOntemplstes the abandonment
OF the use Of silver Is antagOnistic to
that declaration of principles and will
not be supported by the Congress that
Is TO convene next week.
"There can, in my opinion, be no un-
conditional repeal Of the Sherman law.
II the President has set out 10 repeal
the Sherman act without Offering any
thing in its place, he has set up a plat
form not in accord with that upon
which he went before the people"
Mr.. Oates looks for the repeal of the
Sherman law, with a condition that will
provide for the free coinrge Of silver at
an increased ratio.
Senator George believes that II will
be good policy for Congress TO pass a
joint resolution permitting the Presi-
dent to suspend the operation Of the
silver purchase section OF the Sherman
law in his discretion.
Mr.. Bland said the friends OF silver
had agreed upon no plan of campaign.
other than that they were opposed 10
the repeal of the Sherman law unless
they were first given free coinage Of
silver. So far as the possibility of re-
peal was concerned. Mr.. Bland was
emphatic in his declaration that the un-
conditional repeal of the purchasing
act could not be accomplished in either
house.
Blount's Report Received.