The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-08
BOLTERS ABSENT.
Silver Senators Refuse to Sit
In Republican Caucus.
They We're Invited But De-
clined the Invitation.
FAVOR DINGLEY BILL.
The Caucus Decides to Pass 1T
If Possible.
Lodge immigration Bill lis
Made Party Measure
'AVOR DINGIEY BILL.


ticeable feature of the Republican SEN
ate caucus which assembled today. as
seen from the outside, was the absence
of the men who had bolted the nomina-
tion of Mckinley because of the gold
standard platform. Those who were
absent on this account were Senators
Dubois, PettigreW, Mantle Cannon
Squire and Teller. All of these ex-
cept Senator Teller were in the city
and could have attended had they
been so disposed. Indeed, some of
them were in their committee rooms in
the capitol while the caucus was in
progress.
That their absence was intentional
was clearly shown by the following let
ter which Senator Dubois sent to the
caucus and which was read soon after
the meeting was called to order by
Senator Sherman;
U. s Senate.
Washington, d. c.. Dec. s.
To Hon. John Sherman. Chairman eau
Gus of Republican Senators. Wash
ingtOn D. O..
Sir-I hereby respectfully resign my
position as secretary of the caucus of
Republican senators. I also resign my
position as member and secretary OF
the Republican advisory steering COM
mittee of the senate. Very truly yours.
FRED r. DUBOIS.
The boilers had all received invita-
tiOns which were sent them. Is if they
had never left the party. but they had
decided not to attend They had
found it Impossible to communicate
with Senator Teller, who has not yet
reached the city, but all expressed con-
hdence that if here he would not have
gone into the conference.
If the boiling silverites were con-
spicuous by their absence, the silver
men who remained within the pafty
were as q rule, exceptionally prompt In
their attendance. Senator Garter, who
while here refused to accept the Ding
ley tariff bill and yet refused to walk
out of the St Louis convention, was
the second man to enter the caucus
chamber and he was followed closely
by Messrs. WOlcOtt, Mitchell, Shoups
Hansbrough, Cameron, Pritchard, PER
Klns and Clark, who heretofore have
always voted for silver when the ques-
ton was before the senate
There was no long speeches in the
caucus and very few speeches OIL any
character Senator Dubois tenqefeu
resignation was received without
word of comment
I'VE just closed up the ranks ana
marched out - said one OF the pafllci-
pants in referring to the incident attee
the close of the meeting.
There were no long speeches in the
cept the resignation, but its accept
ance was taken as a matter of TACT
Senator Lodge moved the election OF
Senator Wilson Of Washington ln ms
stead as secretary, while Senator Snoup
was placed on the steering committee ia
the place vacated by his colleague This
committee was also enlarged by the ad-
ditiOn of the name of Senator hans
brough of North Dakota
The Dingley tariff bill was referred to
the steering committee with instruc-
tions to investigate as to the likelihood
of getting the bill through, and 70 de
wise a means to that end, ii possible
1t was the prevailing opinion that the
best policy demanded the passage of the
bill. if possible to compass it, but the
opinion seemed to be quite as general
that this result was not within the
range of possibility. The entire Ques-
ton was referred to the committee with
very liberal powers
Senator Gear brought up the Pacific
railroad question as did Senator Lodge
the immigration bill. The Pacific road
bill was referred to the steering COM
mittee but after Mr.. Lodge had eX-
planned the status of the immigration
bill. the caucus desired to stand by
that as a party measure and to press
for its early consideration. The caucus
also decided for an international agree
ment on silver by agreeing to the fol-
lowing resolution introduced by Sena-
tor Wolcott:
Resolved. That a special committee or
five members of this caucus be appoint
ed to recommend some plan whereby
legislation may be had ir this session Of
congress looking to an international
conference with the leading commercial
nations Of the world g. the promotion
of bimetaliSm.