Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-21

WASHINGTON. Feb. 19-At 0 o'clock to-
night the Senate adjourned, after deter
mined but fruitless effort on the part of
the silver men, led by Mr.. Jones of
Arkansas, to pass the bill for the unre-
stricted coinage of silver. Mr.. Jones him
self made the motion to adjourn after II
had been made evident that voting
quorum of Senators could not be held in
the Senate chamber for an all-night
struggle.
One of the surprises Immediately pre-
ceding the adjournment was resolution
submitted by Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado,
one of the most active silver leaders, de-
claring that while the welfare of the
country required the free coinage Of silver
at the ratio of 10 to !, yet. IN the view of
the near adjournment of Congress and the
pressing demand of appropriating bills, IL
was inexpedient to enter upon the con-
tideration of the silver bill at the present
session of Congress No action was taken
OH the resolution, but 1t was regarded as
Significantly foreshadowing the course of
the silver bill when 1t comes up tomorrow.
The silver forces asserted their strength ut
the outset of the proceedings to-day, and,
by vote of So to q, displaced the morn.
ing business aud took up the Silver bill
before the regular order had been reached.
MIR. Villas of Wisconsin then took the
floor for four hours in carefully pre-
pared speech defending the administration
for the recent bond contract. When Mr..
Villas concluded, at 535 p. IN, active steps
were taken by the silver men TO force a
final vote. 1t was evident, however, that
the opposition was ready to talk against
time, and thus carry the debate through
the night if necessary to cut OF a vote.
Mr.. Plat of Connecticut took the floor
and made an argument on the bill, being
frequently interrupted by points of no
lporum and roll-calls and suggestions for
closing debate.
Mr.. Jones appealed to the opposition to
fix time for a vote tomorrow. but no
agreement could be reached. AT s O'Clock
the Senate business was brought to COM
plete standstill by the failure to secure a
quorum on Mr.. Aldrich's motion to 60
into executive session.
From that time until adjournment vain
efforts were made to secure voting
quorum, although quorum was present
To. vote. This tedious process continued
until 0 O'clock, when Mr.. Jones reluct-
antly yielded and the long session closed.
WHY THE FIGHT WAS ABANDONED
The result to-day showed conclusively
that no amount of pressure would bring
about vote upon the Jones bill, and If
the Silver bill could be kept before the
Senate it would result in defeating the APP
preparation bills and force an extra SEES.
sion. 4 ne silver men Ieel lney nave SHOWN
their strength and believe that they have
gained substantial victory in securing
The promise of vote upon the resolution
presented by Mr.. Wolcott declaring the
sense of the Senate. Although the agree.
ment was not entered into in the Senate, all
the Senators present. who were opposing
the resolution, agreed privately that q vote
should be had on the resolution to.
morrow. 1t will probably be debated
somewhat and Senators will briefly ex'
press their views. 1t is possible to prevent
vote If those who were not parties to the
private agreement should decide to oppose
1t, as there was no unanimous consent
asked or given in the Senate. The Repub
licans who agreed there should be vote
included Senators Aldrich. Plat, Chandler
Quay. as well as the silver leaders on the
Republican side, while Senators Cockrell
Blackburn and Jones of the Democratic
Senators agreed to the proposition. Til,
opponents of the Jones bill present sale
ehey were willing there should be vote
on the declaratory resolution presented By
MIR. Wolcott, and il is believed that thi:
private agreement will be adhered to in thu
Senate This ends the silver fight for thi
session, and the appropriation bills will
monopolize the remainder of the session
with perhaps some time devoted 10 tn,
Bankruptcy bill and the Pooling bill.