The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-09
THE SILVER SENATOR'S
Boiling Republicans Refuse to At
:. tend the Party Caucus.
THE DOOM oF THE DINaLEY BILL.
The Caucus Refero the Measure to Its
Steering Committee-The Cuban Ques-
tion to be Pushed In Both Houscs--A
: Joint Resolution Probable.

Steering Committee-The Cuban Ques-
tion to be Pushed In Both Houscs--A
Joint Resolution Probable.
WAsHINaToN, Dec. 9.-Ths action of tho
silver Republican senators In refraining
from attendance upon the Republican
caucus yesterday has led to no little specu-
latlon as to whether tho course pursued is
a forerunner Of the future, or whether
they will not at some time return to the
party. Some Republicans think 1t pos
slble tho recusanG senators regard yester-
days meeting as merely preliminary, and
will come back into the fold after time.
This supposition is apparently without
foundation or justification.
Tho silver senators are very ohary about
discussing their motives or intentions for
the future They decline to talk on the
subject for publication, but from re-
marks dropped there can be no doubt they
consider that they have attended their last
Republican caucus They say Without OK
ception, however, that In taking the posi-
tion they have thoy do not mean to place
themselves In the attitude OF opponents Of
protsctive tariff policy, but rather that
they desire to be in an entirely indepen-
dent position, where they can accept or
+. reject any tariff proposition presented by
2 Neir former party associates.
When asked for statements they de-
clined to say anything specific. "There is
nothing TO say oxcopt that / did not at
tend" said Senator pettigrcw. Il failed
to be there, but it was not the first Ropub-
lican caucus from which l had been ab-
sent. My action CANNOT he construed as
an intention on my part to enter Demo-
cratic or Popullst CAUCUS Nor does it
necessarily nean that shall never again
cooperate with the Republicans. 1t sim
ply means that did not consider it worth
while to be there yesterday AS for tho
Dingley bill, should not oppose its being
taken up In fact, should vote for con.
alteration. 1t would give us thirty days
discussion of the silvor question, in which
We could give attention to the late cam
paign In way that may not bo otherwise
offered"
Many overtures by personal friends were
made to silver men to induce them to at
tsnd the meeting. Ii is considered that
Senator Dubois made an especial sacrifice
in seyering his relations with the party
caucus. He had been honored by being
chosen secretary of tho caucusand mem-
ber Of the advisory committee, both posi-
tons of honor and both Of which 1t be-
oame necessary for him to resign.
The notice of the opening Of Cuban
discussion was about the only feature OF
interest developed yesterday ut the brlOf
session of the senate, which lasted only
twenty five minutes. Senator Culiom
gave notice of speech on Cuba tomor-
row. The sonators had expected to start
the wheels Of actual business, but the up.
psarance of Il house resolution relative to
the death of exSpeaker Crisp led to tho
customary adjournment as IL mark of re.
spect. A large number Of bureau reports
were received, including that of the gov
ernment directors of the Pacific railway.
The action of the Republican senatorial
caucus in relsrrlng the Dingley tariff bill
tn its steering committee and the circum-
stances under which thisaction was taken,
are accepted the senate as practically
the end of | agitation in tho interest of
this measl..
Tho senate committee on foreign re-
lations meets today 1t is understood that
the Cuban question will be at once con-
sidered Some of the most conservative
senators who opposed recognition in tho
tho time for action has arrived.
The Cuban question will be forced upon
the attention Of the house committee on
foreign affairs again this session. Several
OF the most enthusiastic friends Of the iu-
surgent cause, who were disappointed by
the failure Of the president to take action,
are drafting resolutions, which will be re-
ferred to the committee, and must be dis
posed of In one way or another. A move
ment is on foot to bring joint resolutions
before tho house If the committee Gun be
induced to report them.
The house proceeded to business, and
before the session closed had passed three
bills of considerable Importance and the
first of tho regular supply bills-that for
pensions. Threo of the bills passed related
to postal matters. Ono provided for the
use of private mailing cards Of the same
general size and character as the present
postal cards when one cent stamps are af-
fxod. Another provided for a limited in
demnlty of $40 for the loss Of registered
mail matter. and the third provided for q
private carrier service In cities, towns and
villages where no free delivery oxlSts.