The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-20
SCHEME OF SILVER MEN.

How Certain Democratic Leaders In the
Senate Propose tn XIII the Repeal Bill.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 19-Tbe Star this
evening tells how the silver men In the
Senate will test their strength without
bringing mp the question of unconditional
repeal. Ii Is an interesting story. and runs
as follows:
"The plan which has been devised by the
Democratic leaders in the Senate. who are
opposed 10 tho unconditional repeal Of
the Sherman law, is regarded as one
of parliamentary tactics which has
been exhibited IN that body. Is is
one that will permit the silver men TO make
test of their strength without the risk OF
vote on the repeal bill. The programme
appears TO have been very skillfully con-
trived. and carried out mp to the present
stage with great forethought and ao-
ourscy. The bill to permit banks to issue
currency to the full face value of the bonds
deposited in the treasury is one which is
favored by the anti.silver men. and one
, which they would hardly expect to have
pressed to the front by the silver advo-
Gates. Therefore. they saw no objection
whatever TO the prompt report of the meas
danger In its getting on the calendar of the
Senate before the repeal bill was reported.
They arc gratified. moreover. by the action
or the hnanoe committee in reporting bill
VIC uuCOuQItlOual I0peAl Oh tho SQ6r.
man law, with the attachments of what ap-
pears to be merely an empty declaration IN
favor of bimetallism. There appears. how.
ever. to be deeper depth than that
to which they have penetrated.
pledge from members of the finance
committee that the banking bill first re.
ported shall be disposed of before the re-
peal bill Is taken mp for consideration.
This opens the way to the development of
n Mt UIa In
the first place, O great deal of time may be
consumed In the discussion of the bank
bill: and. In the second place, that bill is
subject to amendments indefinitely. The
silver men expect this bill to be amended
IN such O way as TO develop it
into a broad and general financial measure.
With silver out OF tho question, the
amendments likely to be adopted are such
as WILL either meet with the approval OF
the anti-silyer men or not be violently op-
posed by. them. If no silver amendment is
attached TO the bill. 1t is likely to come out
of the Senate in a shape not To excite the
sntsgonism of the administration forces,
and IL will be apt to pass the House. But
it is under stood to be q part of the plan of
the silver men to have an amendment Of
fered providing for the free coinage of sill
Yer at q ratio of 20 to l, or for any other
silver proposition which may develop
the greatest strength in the House. On
tots amendment the silver men in tbe Sen
ate can get test vote without involving
the consideration of the Sherman repeal
bill. Ii the amendment is carried. 1t dis.
poses of the repeal bill In itself. and they
are eOnfident that this composite financial
measure. silver and all. could be got
through the House. If the silver men.
however. prove not to be strong enough to
adopt this amendment, the Sherman law
will still be on the statute books. and. by
preventing vote on 1t, they can keep it
there. In the mean while, the calcula-
tions ara that the bank bill as
measure of relief. will become
q law. This would relieve the situation.
from one point of view. and leave the silver
question just where 1t ls In Othor words.
they propose either to adopt such silver
legislation as they are willing should take
the place Of the Sherman law in tine form of
an amendment to the bank bill, or else to
preserve the Sherman law itself. By this
plan they avoid the danger. should they be
IN the minority. OF being defeated in vote
their test vote before the repeal bill is
brought up for consideration.