The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-15

WASHINGTON, D. O., May l4.-Tho Rc-
publican members Of tho sonato were
in caucus at Senator Sherman's house
tonight from 8 o'clock until ten min
utes to u. The caucus partook more
OF the nature OF an informal conference
than @ business meeting, and while it
was called with the purpose Of arriving
ut conclusion as to tho method to be
pursued by the Republican party in the
senate, 1t closed without elici.ing any
thing In the way Of party declaration.
There was no voto on any proposition
whatever, and tho proceedings con-
sisted in large number OF speeches.
There were abouttwenty-fvc OF the thir-
ty.seven Republican senators preaent,
and every one there had something to
say In the course Of tho evening. There
was a great divergence Of views. In
decd tho accounts OF the meeting agree
that while there were probably twenty
speeches, most OF them, OF course. brief,
no two OF them wero on the seme lines
or advised the samc manner
Of proceeding. There was no agree-
ment except 'npon the ono point
that the bill should bo beaten,
II possible. On general lines
the greatest divergence OF opinion was
on the ability of tho Republicans to
bsa. the bill at all, and while there was
no formal division which would permit
Of counting, the caucus appeared to
be about evenly divided in sentiment
upon .thi. question. a statement that
eastern senators were favorable to tho
continuation Of the opposition on the
lines which are now being observed
and that western senators were opposed
10 any effort to secure delay. for dslay's
pakc, would be in a general way cor
rect, but there wore exceptions on both
sidos.
Senators Aldrich, Chandler, Frye and
others contended that tho bill could be
defeated, and said that all that was
necessary to demonstrate the correct
ness of this assertion was to give the
Democrats time to widen tho breach
which they asserted now exists. Some
OF thom declared that four or five
Democratic votes could be counted on
as opposed to the bill. while one OF
those present went 40 far as to say that
lie was assured Of tho opposition OF ut
least seven Democratic senators. No
names OF Democratic senators were
gwen, however.
The opposition clement conteuded
that there was no positive assurance OF
any Democratic support in opposition
to the bill and that tho only means Of
testing the truth Of runors of Demo-
, cratic dissatisfaction was to lot the
voting 60 on There was much talk as
to the general dement's and inconsist-
encies Of tho bill. and some Of the silver
Republican senators did not fail to call
attention to tho lack Of sympathy which
had been displayed on tho part
Of the Republican senators while
tho silver repeal bill was before
the senate last fall, and to
intimate that they had no dos!re at this
time to heap couls OF iire.on tho heads
OF that clement in the party by doing
kindness in return for what they
termed inconsiderateness. They agreed
in the main with their Republican col
leagues as TO tho undesirability OF pass.
ing tho bill, but declared they would
not filibuster, especially in view OF the
strong probability OF tho passage OF the
bill, despite any opposition that might
be made to 1t.
The moro radical opponents Of tho
bill replied tha. they hnd no desire or
intention Of tilibusterinc. but asserted
that the bill was one which could be
opposed by legitimate meana for long
time.