Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-21
AN AGR E E NJ ENT.
A Compromise Silver Bill Finally
Decided Upon.
70 TAKE EFFECT OCTOBER, 's4.
Why the Democratic Factions
Had to Come together.
NJ ORE SURE TALK.

reached an agreement ON the silver Ques-
ton They are to pass a bill to take effect
october, 1894. The past thirty-six hours or
more the struggle between the administra-
uon forces and those Senators who want
to compromise have been as to whether
the repeal should go into effect July. 1894,
or January, 1896. This afternoon an agree
ment was reached to split the difference
and to pass the bill to go into effect in Oc-
tober a year from now. 1t is understood
that the bill will be presented.
The democrats of the Senate understood
that IL they did not reach an agreement
for a settlement of the silver question by
Monday morning the Quay proposition
would be brought up with the support OF
proposition providing for repeal to go into
effect on the 1st of January. '96. is better
Tor the silver men than anything con-
sidered by the democratic compromisers,
and 1t Is said that 1t would have the sup
port Of all the democratic anti-repealers
and Of those who want a compromise II
agreement. 1t would also have had the
support of nearly all, II not quite all. the
republicans, and would therefore have gone
through without difficulty.
Mr.. Cleveland Is quoted as insisting that
the repeal shall take effect within a year
after the passage of the bill 1t Is under
stood that he Is willing to have it 60 until
October, 1884.
Meanwhile the closure talk is being in
dulged In with the accompanying statement
that Mr.. Cleveland insists that the fight be
pressed on that line under the leadership of
Mr.. Hill, and some of the radical repeal
men are saying that there is going to be a
change Of the rules brought about by the
method proposed by Hill.
While there Is little doubt that a change
Of rules Of the Senate will grow out of the
fight. there does not apepar to be the least
warrant for hope that such a change can
be omplished pending the settlement of
this question, and certainly not by the
method of cutting OF debate and refusal
on the part of the chair to recognize Sena-
tors for dilatory motions. There is no pros
pect Of the development of q disposition on
the part of the presiding officer or of a ma
Jority Of the Senate to reach the matter in
that manner. 1t Is no exaggeration of the
situation to say that an attempt of that sort
carried to any extent would result in
scene of personal violence on the floor Of
the Senate. The talk Is referred to by dis
tinguished Senators as "bluff' to induce
the silver men to yield to the terms Of the
administration.
No Bluff ON Mr. Hills Part.
As far as Mr.. Hill is concerned 1t Is no
''bluff," for 1t is agreed by every one that
he would cut of all debate and all motions
by arbitrary action and amend the rules out
of hand at any time he could get a follow
ing. and he is perfectly willing to face any
consequences arising from the move.
Details of the Compromise.
As stated above the details Of the forth
coming compromise on the silver question
have been practically agreed upon. and a
few moments before O'Clock this afternoon
democratic Senators began pledging them
selves in writing to abide by 1t. The COM
promise agreed upon provides that the re-
peal of the purchasing clause of the Sher-
man act shall take effect October 1, 1894.
and that the bond question shall be elimi-
mated entirely. 1t also provides that the
"a. 500. 900 of silver which must be purchased
under the act shall be coined from time to
time. az shall the seigniorage now in the
treasury, and that which shall grow out of
the further purchases. All greenbacks and
shall be retired and silver certificates or
coined silver dollars shall take their place.
Senators Pledxing Themselves.
AZ soon as the committee reached this
conclusion. Senators on the democratic side
were sent for. and there was steady
stream Of Senators vending their way to
the committee room. Mr.. voorhees,. In charge
of the bill, having been previously and for
some time closeted with the committee. A
paper was drawn up. addressed to Mr.. Voor-
hees, IN which Senators pledged themselves
that IL he would move to amend his bill in
accordance with the outlines given above.
they would support II and then vote for the
bill as amended. 1t was a noteworthy fact
that the silver Senators signed this docu-
ment. although there were some who did II
under the most vigorous protestations. look
Ing upon the compromise, as they expressed
II, as an abject surrender of all that for
which they had fought these many weeks
As soon as this paper has been signed-its
purpose having been previously discussed
with the chairman of the finance commit
tee-the amendment will be prepared and
introduced In the Senate. 1t Is hardly ex-
pected that this will be done this afternoon,
oil - L..
range Of possibility. 1t Is hoped by the con-
ference committee that every democrat will
sign the pledge. and that Mr.. voorhees, will
act promptly upon It's reception
Republicans Decline to Talk.
The republicans decline to talk In regard
to their course. saying that they must first
see the proposed amendment. There Is a
disposition on the part Of some of the re-
publicans to repudiate any compromise
that enlarges the volume Of silver money
without corresponding increase in the
issue of bonds for its protection. The dem
their entire vote to the support Of their
compromise bill and force 1t through with
out the aid of the minority.
On Administration Lines.
The Secretary Of the Treasury was heard
from during the morning on three different
occasions through the agency of a trusted
friend. the gentleman so acting appearing
pciofo tHe committee SO late IN the day as
2 o'clock this afternoon. One Of the MEM
oers Of the committee when asked, after
this last visit Of the representative of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, whether the
compromise would be acceptable to the
President said that II was drawn on the
lines Of the suggestions that emanated from
the administration itself. So far every
democrat who has seen the pledge has
signed II. but this does not mean that a
majority have yet signed It
The Feeling In the House.
The news Of the agreement in the Senate
reached the House IN a short time after the
matter became public and soon became the
absorbing topic Of conversation. Members
gathered in little groups of the House and
In the cloak room and discussed the matter
earnestly and apparently with great inter-
est All OF the leaders. however, were ex-
tremely cautious In expressing opinions for
puoIcation, and none Of them would make
any statements The republicans shook
their heads and looked grave when the COIN
age or seiniorage was mentioned and ex-
pressed considerable doubt as to whether
that portion OF the compromise would meet
Win laVor on the republican side. The sill
Eer men absolutely refused to talk upon the
suOect. and the advocates Of repeal on both
sides OF the House were inclined to remain
silent until further developements in the
situation occur.