The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-10
THE SHERMAN BILL.
SILVER MEN IN THE HOUSE PRE-
VENT ITS REPEAL.
All Acknowledge the Bill 10 be Bad, but
Want n Substitute Before 1t Is Re-
pealcd-The Next Senate.
TETS BUREAU. RApLFY Bull DING. !
WlsUrgGToN- Feb Q 1894.

The fact that the Committee on Rules
had reported to-day for the beginning OF
the consideration of the bill to repeal the
Sherman silver law, brought an unusual
number of people to the Capitol. and the
galleries were we'll filled. The silverites
entered the ring in fine condition for the
contest, and contemplated the prelimi-
naries with smiling assurance as to the
results. The anti-silver men who had
been making a good many John L. Sulli-
van boasts as to their strength and ability
to knock out the opposition in the first
round, weighed in little light, and it
was soon apparent that no change was
going TO be made in the present silver
laws.
The silver advocates in the House were
not going to allow the Sherman law to be
repealed. They all regard the present law
| as exceedingly faulty and not at all what
| they want, but are not willing to repeal
1t, and trust to an indefinite future day
! for supplemental legislation more favor
able to them.
The first movement, which was a test
motion, was TO recommit the resolution
fixing for silver consideration to the Com
mittee on Rules This was the subject Of
a recorded vote. and was promptly car
| ried. Thus in fifteen minutes the resolu-
! ton was sent back to the Rules Com
| mittee and the House proceeded to busi-
| ness as usual, and In half an h our after
| the House convened ii was not noticeable
that a big fight had been waged and won.
IL was a great victory for the free sill
yer men. but is no indication whatever as
to Mr.. Cleveland's infiuence,as many of his
staunchest supporters were among the
| Victors to-day.
Every member present OF the delega-
tions from Virginia and North Carolina
voted in the affirmative.
Mr.. Buchanan, of Virginia. said In re-
ference 10 the bill, that instead Of being
a compromise measure as ii should have
been, 1t provided practically for a single
geld standard of value. demonetized abso-
lutey silver, not now coined or in the
Treasury provided no other basis for
bank than United States bonds. which
are growing less every day. took half the
tax off national banks. which is now
imposed, and allowed national banks TO
issue notes to the full face value of the
bonds deposited. The Sherman act is un-
questionaby bad. but to have rejected II
without providing substitute for IL
would have left the advocates and friends
of silver coinage, State banks or any
other change in our financial system at
the mercy Of the people Of this country
who believe in gold alone as money
metal, and United State bonds as the
only basis of banking"
Hon Richard Bright, ex-Sergeant-at-
Arms of the United States Senate. and
leader of the Indiana Democracy, is or
should be, high authority 1on the point
of the political complexion Of that body,
beginning with the fourth day Of next
month.
Colonel Bright is p national character,
conservative in everything, radical In
nothing. He stated to me to-day with
all emphasis OF the man who has grasped
and holds fast an important fact that the
ides of March would behold the return
Of the Democratic party TO power in the
Senate OF the United States. He boasts
Of this. not in sorrow for the expulsion
which came upon him nearly twelve
years ago, when, by the casting vote or
General Malone. the Senate was reOrgan-
lied and made Republican neither is the
prediction born. nor in any way based
on, the desire Of his being restored 10
his old position. but is the conclusion OF
a close and clear calculation, upon which
Colonel Bright places the imprimative
Of his name, knowledge and prestige.
Aside from the high politics concerning
the welfare Of State and country involved
in this approaching change, there are
minor matters relating 10 the important
Offices Of that body that will be certain
to invite the attention of worthy and
aspiring Democrats. The committees or
the Senate will all undergo prompt re-
organization at the extra or eXtraordi-
nary session Of the Senate, which the
outgoing President always convenes at
the expiration of his term, in order that
the Cabinet of his successor may be con-
firmed and the important nominations
I'm all departments of the Government be
sent to that body for its consideration
and action.
Lucrative clerkshps. many of them an
nual, will follow at once in the wake Of
this revolution of the committees Of the
Senate. All the standing committees of
the Senate have annual clerks and all
have messengers. a number Of them,
such as Appropriations, Claims. Com
merce, immigration and Pensions have
one or more assistant clerks to help
along the important work. All told. these
committees are about sixty in number
attached to which are about one hundred
and thirty salaried persons.
Every conceivable subject engaging, or
likely to engage. the deliberations Of the
Senate has as it's place of reference, its
repository a committee. This makes
chairmenships, followed by clerks and
their assistants. Civil Service. Revolu-
tionary Claims. The Five Civilized Tribes
of Indians, Epidemic Diseases Woman
Suffrage and Potomac River Front, are
some OF the titles indicating the broad
and general sweep Of the great committee
organization of the Senate. The officers
of the Senate of all grades, from the |
President Of the Senate and the Chaplain, |
who Is an elective officer. down TO the |
pages. reading pages and laborers Of the !
commonest degree, are all concerned in |
the impending change.
The entire South has had no show in |
the enjoyment of this patronage, and now |
the time seems TO portend new era |
for them in the possession of some few |
at least in the employment |
OF governmental assistants.
/ approached Captain George d. Wise |
this morning with the statement that |
his name is prominently mentioned in |
the Norfolk Virginian of yesterday for |
United States Senator, and asked him TO |
give me his views in that connection. |
He replied that h, had not considered |
the question OF his candidacy for the |
United States Senate. He had long be- |
lieved, however, that the section OF the |
State in which he lives, which ever since
the war and for protracted period prior |
to IL has been without representation
either on the State ticket or in the Sem
ate, is entitled to the largest consideration /
in the bestowal OF the Senatorship. IL |
could unquestionaby go into a legislative
caucus TO fill that position with great
primary strength, considering the number |
of its representatives in the Legislature.
and with the strongest possible plea for l