The record-union., 1893-08-08
Special to the REcoRp-Uxrox.
SiIveriues.

opeclal 10 the hECORD-ONION.
WAsHINGToN, Aug, THE extra ses-
sion of Congress assem- bled at noon. The
assembling was of special interest, be-
cause for the first time in the third of a
century the Democratic party is in con-
troll in all the departments, and because
the National Legislature is convened to
deal with one of the gravest questions
which has confronted the nation since
the Civil War, while the responsibility
for the results rests on the Democrats.
1t is also true that the questions at issue
will not be fought out on strict party
lines, as the parties are divided on it, geo.
graphically rather than politically. The
anomaly is shown of men on each side of
the free-coinage proposition in the ranks
of the Democrats. Republicans, Popu
lists and Greenbackers alike. This was
a fruitful theme of discussion while the
members were assembling, and there
were many congratulations that the fight
had been taken out of the domain of
rigid party politics, with the likelihood
that it would be discussed more nearly in
the light of pure reason.
The first thing on the assembling in
both houses was the reading of the
Presidents proclamation convening Con-
Gress in extra session. This was followed
by the call Of the names of the members
elected.
All of the Californians are on haud. The
Senate adjourning early, Perkins was not
sworn in. On the House side, Mcguire,
Hilborn, Loud, Geary, Bowers and Cam
non stood in line and took the oath of
office. Caminetti appeared soon after
ward
When the drawing for seats was COM
menced, the first name called was that of
Mr.. Loud of California, who was thus
enabled to take his choice of all the seats,
after Reed, and Holman and O'Neill of
Pennsylvania, the Oldest members OF the
House, had selected their own by special
privilege. Reed took the seat he has al
ways occupied when not in the Speakers
chair and Loud chose the seat next to
him, the same as in the last Congress.
Caminetti was the next lucky Califor-
nian, his name being called soon after
LIQUIDS. Caminetti chose one of the
best seats in the House. on the right of
the Speaker, and well up toward the
front on one of the main aisles. Bowers
got good location, better one than last
Congress, as did Ellis and Hermann of
Oregon. Judge Mcguire of San Fran
cisco came next and chose a fair seat to
the left of the Speaker, pretty well back
and near Bourke Cochran of New York.
Hilborn secured fairly good seat,
pretty well to the rear Of the left of the
main aisle. The last of the Californians
to draw seats were Geary and Cannon.
Their names were not called till nearly
the last ones. Geary got a back seat to
the Speakers LETT, and Marion Cannon,
the Populist, who with his little tuft Of
chin whiskers growing on his otherwise
beardless face, looks like the typical
''way back" got a seat on the back row.
Next to him is Francis G. Newlands of
Nevada, and in front of both is "Chinese"
Blair of New Hampshire.
Marion Cannon, Populist of the Los
Angeles district. created some surprise
when he voted for Crisp for Speaker in
stead of Jerry Simpson, who had been
placed in nomination for this office.
Simpson and Cannon were sitting to-
gether at the time, and Jerry looked at
his neighbor reproachfully. Cannon is
evidently working to get good commit
tee assignment, and did not care to throw
his vote away.
The Presidents message would have
been sent to Congress to-day but for the
early adjournment. A messenger OF the
Senate was on the point of starting for
the Capitol with it when the news OF the
adjournment was received. 1t will be
sent in tomorrow.
The message is only about three thou
sand words in length. Beyond the fact
that it is largely devoted to financial mat
ters nothing reliable can be learned in
regard to it. 1t is understood, though,
that he recommends the unconditional
repeal of the Sherman Act.
The free-silver Democrats express
themselves agreeably surprised at what
they understand TO be the moderation of
the Presidents recommendations. While
recommending the unconditional repeal
of the Sherman Act, they understand he
recognizes silver as one of the money
metals which must be maintained, but
points out that, with the present attitude
of European countries, a proper ratio be-
tween gold and silver cannot be MAIN
tanned by this country alone. Therefore,
he does not favor the coinage of silver
under the present cOnulIOnS except Tor
subsidiary purposes. He thinks in this
way Europe can be coerced into an inter
national agreement more favorable than
heretofore. He favors silver on parity
with gold, stands by the platform of 1892,
but says that the platform cannot be car
ried out because a fixed parity cannot be
maintained.
Prominent Democrats of both wings
have been given to understand that these
are the Presidents views.
For the first time in many years the
anti-free coinage men are an aggressive
element in the House. Since the de-
1uonetization of silver in 1873 the silver
men have been the aggressive element in
every Congress, and have yearly de-
,nanded that atonement be offered for the
..crime of 1872 and that silver be re-
stored to its place as money metal. The
militant spirit of the free coinage ele-
,nent is still to the front, but there has
suddenly appeared an equally aggressive
spirit among hitherto conservative anti
free coinage men. who have suddenly as
aumed the aggressive and demanded that
the purchasing clause of the Sherman ACT