The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-28
NOW FOR THE BATTLE.

Fight Between tho Free-CoinaRe and Re-
peal Democrats Begins To-Day.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2T-When the House
of Representatives convenes tomorrow IL
will begin voting on the several PROPOSE
tions included within the order adopted
fifteen days ago for the consideration and
disposal OF tho silver purchase question.
The vote will ba taken first on the PROPOSE
tion to provide free coinage of silver at
ratio of 16 to !. This failing, other ratios
up to 20 to / will be voted on, then tho
House will be given an opportunity to say
whether or not 1t will restore the Bland
Allison act of 1878 Finally. oil these hav.
ing failed lassnming that they will
repeal, will come. 1t is generally
conceded that all of the propositions relaI-
ing To the coinage of silver will be de-
feated, and that unconditional repeal will
be passed. as only the detail of msjorities
10 in doubt. The financial debate being
sharply drawn for the declsIve conte The
leaders OF both sides have exerted every
effort to have their men all here. and
expected the first roll call will find almost
every membe OF the House present and
voting. There ia apparently no inclina-
ti0n on the part or any of the Representa-
tives TO dodge the ISSUE and as most of
them have had opportunity to explain on
the floor their reasons for action. IL is said
the record will show a full vote Oh every
proposition. The result OF the Bucce ssive
roll calls of tomorrow is no longer mat
ter of doubt to anyone familiar with the
situation. The frce-cOinage bill to be
offered by Dir. Bland as n su bstitute for the
repealing Dill of Mr.. Wilson. will be de-
feated. The exact vote is uncertain. as
the fealty OF certain members to the meas
ure depends much on the ratio tn n & receiv cs
the largest support In the House. IL was
the impression two weeks ago that the
largest ratio to be voted upon.-20 to L
preston at that time W as general that q
vision of the ratio of coinage would be-
necessary II tho free-c0Inage men could
hope for o victory in the light Of the recent
depression IN silver
THE PoPULiST swITCH-OFF.
This impression received check week
ago, however, in the announcement of
Jerry Simpson that Popufist members
would tolerate no departure from tho ex.
listing ratio. and would leave the free COIN
age men in event of failure to adopt the
ratio of Is tn /. This announcement at
once had its effect on the sentiment that
had beeu constantly growing up to that
time. Tor Immediately q dozen or more of
the oldest free-coIDagc men announced that
they would support no ratlO but that of 10
10 /. Now there seems no doubt that in
stead of the higaest ratio -
to 1. being the most popular.
the old ratio of IL to will
receive the greatest vote and bc tho only
one seriously cOnsidered. But. whateye
may he the result of the vote on tho sc pa
rate ratios, the Bland bill will be rejected
as o su ostitute for the Wilson bill. and the
majority for rejection will not be less than
forty. After ths rejection of the Bland
bill. and. when tho question has resolved
itself TO the sim pie one OF the repeal of the
purchasing act of the sherman law. the
Wilson bill Will DO passed by "a majority of
not less than sixty. These figures are con-
servative and Will be borne out by to-mor-
rows Developments. if indeed. the major
ity for the Wilson bill be not larger than
the figures given.
Immediately after the passage OF the
Wilson bill 1t will be reported so the Sem
ate and If the usual course Is pursued
will he referred to the committee on tlnan CO
of that body. It's said that the policy OF the
Senate will he TO let the bill slumber there
while all the efforts OF the upper cbamb Der
are directed to securing the adoption of the
repeating bill now pending In thnt body.
The reason for this is that she repeallng Q
bill reported by the Senate committee on
finance is believed TO be superior TO the
House bill, because it con taiDs the dec lara
tion originated by Senator Hill pledgine
the government TO the policy OF
bimetallism. IL Is quite certain
no bill can pass the Senate with.
ont O declaration indorsing the policy OF
bimetailism. and as no such declaration il
explicitly made in tho Wilson bill. the pro.
gramme will be to pass the Senate bill and
send il TO the House for the concurrence OF
the latter body. OF course the effect OF
this will be To revive the whole question in
the House. bat 1t Is not thought any con.
siderable time would be consumed by the
House In passing on the question a second
time. as most of the members have already
had full opportunity to be heard and will
have placed themselves on record by their
votes on tho several distinct propositionl
and ratios.
IREE-CoINAGE BILL PROMISED.
Already considerable speculation Is be-
ing INDUCED in as TO the next step to bs
taken in financial legislation after the
pessagc of the bill repeating the Sherman
law. The committee on coinage. under the
leadership of Chairman Bland. will it il
said. report free-coinsge bill In due time
and Chairman SpTinger's committee or
banking and currency 10 expected TO pre-