St. Paul daily globe., 1893-10-19

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-The Demo.
cratic steering committee of the senate
was in session great part of the day,
trying t0devise scheme for settlement
OF differences eXistin ng on the financial
question on that side of the chamber,
ana appearances at the close of the day
indicated that progress had been made.
The detail of the work was that Seua-
tors Cockrell and Gray, the one Il repre-
sentative OF the free silver element, and
the other of the repeal element,
remained together during the entire
afternoon and long after the adjourn
ment of the senate, and were in con-
sultatlon with other members of the
Democratic faith who were from time to
time during the afternoon mysteriouSly
brought into the chamber by Mr.. Cock
rell and drawn away into his
and Mr.. Gray's hiding place. Here
they were asked their views as to the
propriety of compromise, and also re-
quested to indicate how far they
would respectively go in making con-
ceSsions to the opposite side. 1t is as
oNASSo lIiub GslC COIiIIlilllGC ltiS lAC
matter in charge progressed far enough
to prepare the rough draft of the bill
which is to be submitted to the senate
as soon as a majority of senators can
be consulted upon its merits. The
members of the committee who were
seen refused TO confirm this report, as
did also those with whom they had con-
suited. The story at1Oat also asserted
that the bill which is to be submitted
would simply provide for an extension
OF the present law for year from the
1st of next July, but it was also i'm
possible to get confirmation of this re-
port from senators who had been per-
mltted to enter the mysterious chamber.
One Of the members of the committee
referred to the more or less personal
remarks made during the past two
days by several members of the
Democratic side of the house
and agreed that if there were
no other cure than prevention of these
remarks, it was essential that all under
standing should be speedily reached.
The one great obstacle which appar-
emily stands in the way of progress is
the attitude of some of the repeal advo-
Gates. There are eight or ten of these
VINO are regarded as the especial repre-
sentativeS of the administration, who, it
is believed, are set against any
change in the repeal bill, however
slight. 1t is stated that an effort is be-
ing made to bring these members to see
the Importance of 4 settlement of the
question, and the scheme to bring about
party measure will be dropped if this
is successful. and the Republican sena-
tors asked to join the Democrats 50 as
make a majority of the senate. Tine
Democratic conference has, for the
present, given way to the consultation
of senators individually, and it will not
be decided upon until later in the week,
ii at all.
Discussing the situation this after
noon, Senator Pettigrew said: "The
Democrats as party cannot agree. nor
can the Republicans as party. There
are thir,y-eight senators, Republicans,
Democrats and Populists, against repeal,
and eight counted with the repealerS
which are anxious for compromise.
When either of the parties can agree
upon measure the silver and comprO-
mise men would get together and frame
a bill which would go through, because
they would have the votes to put it
through"