The herald., 1896-01-09

ny the election of general officers, but the
meeting adjourned without taking up this
oroposilion. Immediately after adjourn
'nent a call was ciIculeted for caucus to-
morrow TO consider tnis question, ana 1t Is
understood that n sufficient number of sig
natures was received to insure a caucus for
nat purpose at the time specified.
ANTi-sILvERITEs CONFER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-The anti-slver
Democrats held meeting of conference
today while the Republican Senators were
in caucus. The object of the conference
was 10 count how many men could be mus
tered against the free coinage amendment
of the senate finance committee to ihe
bond bill. 1t was found tn At there are IA
sure votes on the Demos ratio side against
the silver proposi ition, and the Democrats
were assured there were 26 Republican
votes that could be counted ag ,iiist he
Jones amendment This would make 40
in all. -Four more votes would be
nee ssary for majority of the SEN
ate. Both Republican and Democratic
anti-sllve, men are now making an effort
to see if these four votes can be obtained.
Among the Republicans who are not to be
cour,ted in the silver list, and upon whom
an effort may be made, are Senators Nc
Bride of Oregon and Wilson of Washing
ton. On the Democratic side are Senators
Bacon and Gordon of Georgia and Mart n
of Virginia. II is known with what hope
the an'i-silver men are working, but they
say the vote will he very close and that
perhaps free coinage may be defeated.
The Democrats counted against the bill
are Brice, Gallery, Faulkner. Gibson. Cor
man, Gray, Hill, Lindsay, Mills, Mitchell
of Wisconsin, Murphy, almer, smith and
Villas.
THE SEED QUESTION
WAsHIN GTON, Jan. S.-rhe action of Sec
retary Morton in suspendiny the purchase
and dist ribution of seeds was taken up by
the senate committee on agriculture today,
on Senator Hansbrough's resolution Oi-
recting The secretary TO comply with the
law requiring the distribution of agricultu-
raj seeds. The committee concluded to
give Secretary Morton an opportunity to
be heard before passing upon the resolu-
tion.
Senators Warren, Gear and George were
appointed a Subcommittee to consider
tlis bearing upon the inspection of meats
and animals.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-Chairman Hep
turu OF The committee on interstate and
foreign commerce will appoint special
sub.commit ee to take charge of the Nicar-
aqua canal question.
COAST DEFENSE CONSIDERED.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-A meeting of the
committee on coast defense was held this
morning. General raighll, chief of EN-
gineers. and Captain Black of the engineer
cor.s, his assis ant, made important state
ments. General Craighiil explained to the
committee the great need of additional APP
preparations for coast defenses, aud stated
the amount which could be economically
and protitahly expended by the bureau Of
engineers for the purpose during the fiscal
yea ending lupe 30. 1896; aiso the large
additional amount for each additional year
thereafter for The completion OF the project
oil the government.
The defenseess condition of the seacoast
cities was explained, showing that the
amounts proposed in Senator Squre's bill
for coast defeuses were none 100 large and
are not only justif d. but absolutely re-
quired. General Craighill explained that
If the bill shall be passed Immediately the
sum of $4,50O.0OO could be economically
expended by the bureau of engineers alone
during the present fiscal year. The COM
mittee then proceeded to investigate the
question of torpedoes and the provision
already made therefor and what are con-
templated in the plans of the government.
The Importance of the subj ct is such
that the committee will continue it's session
during the week and next week, hoping to
be able to report a bill at an early date.