Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-24
SEIGNI0RAGE BILL.
A Bloodless Battle Being Wased at
the White House.
FOR and AGAINST 4 VETO.
Communications to the President FROM AL
Parts OF tho Country, the south
Not Excepted.

WASHINGTON. March 23.-The situa-
tion at the white House presents one
strong feature of novelty in the fact that
IL appears to be the scene OF boodless
battle lust now between congressman on
the one hand, the large majority OF whom
are urging the signing OF the selgniorase
bill. and the great commercial interests
OF the country. for % out Of every 80 OF
tho communications coming from them
prav for the veto OF the bill. The con-
gressmen have the advantage OF personal
pressure on the field. but the other side is
in evidence In great force in the enormous
number Of letters that burden the presi-
dental mail. and OF kilograms that come
so numerously as TO keep the wires not
and the White House operator occupied 70
his full capacity.
These communications by mail and wire
are coming from all parts OF the coun-
try. and are not, as might be supposed
altogether OF eastern origin. For IN
stance. to-day there were appeals for a
veto from Cincinnati. st. Louis, San Fran
cisco. and Salem. oregon.
NORFOLK AND RICHMOND.
Virginia has also joined the line. as
vas made evident by protests against the
bill from the cotton-faciors OF Nor
folk and the transportation interests
there. 4 very thoughtful presentation OF
objections to the bill has come from Rich
| mond.
OF course I. Is manifestly impossible
for the President TO read himself in detail
all OF these communications, but they are
carefully examined by Mr.. Thurber and
any new point or suggestion on either
side of the case is brought TO the atten-
! ton Of the President.
ALLEGED VETO MESSAGE.
| There are all sorts OF stories aiioat
as TO the Presidents disposition towards
| tho bill. and some have gone to tn
| length Of reciting that he has already
| nrepared veto message. II this be true
| ne has not taken the members OF the
| cabinet into his confidence, "a an the
| meeting to-day the subject was discussed
| from all points of view, and distinct iln-
preston was left in the minds OF the men,
| bars of the Cabinet that the President
| is stll open 10 conviction. IL has up to
and including next Thursday nearly a
| week, 10 make up his mind what 10 do
| with the bill. and there are Indications
! that he proposps TO use most or this time
| in thoughtful consideration of the matter.
II is certain that he has committed him,
self 10 no man as respects his action on
| the bill When "A congressman calls TO
urge the signature OF the bill he ~ likely
~ have put 20 him "A question that dis-
| courages him. but he soon learns that his
colleagu, who prays Tor a veto has had
Il precisely similar experience. ard both
| are left I'm more doubt as 20 the OUT
| come than before their calls.
THE SOUTHERN VIEW.
| II Is noticeable that some Of IN, commu'
nicatlons received urging a veto conc-de
| that owing 10 the slow formation Of pDpu-
! lar opinion the result may he "a temporary
| party loss at the polls. but they insist that
| in the end the sound and conservative
course they approve will surely be re-
warded by popular support. This view IS
| strongly expressed I'm the communications
from the South. which in eases adjure the
! president % follow the line Of conduct
pursued by him IA mixing the tarif issue.
| The comparatively few appeals for tn
| signature Of the bill "a rule are based
on the plea that it viii 10 no harm end
Is absolutely demanded to ensure party
unity and the control 2f the next Hous.
| Of representatives,.
\ rumor has found publication To the
| effect that the President is about To &c
on fishing trip Of few days. probably
10 Woodmont. W. Va, but this rumOr can
be positively denied