The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-09
Committee to Recommend
Some Plan for Securing an Inter-
national Monetary Conference.
FOUR BILLS PHSS THE HOUSE
THREE OF THEM MAKE CHANGES IN
THE POSTAL LAWS.
Private Mailing Cards, Indemnity for
Lost Registered Letters and Revf-
val of the Old Penny Post.

-H
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Dec. S.-The Republican
senatorial caucus to-day was held for the
purpose of ascertaining the status of the
Dingley bill and to agree on a programme
for the session. The wllful absence OF the
boiling free-silver Republican senators
from the caucus settled the fate OF the
bill. If. indeed, IL needed further settling.
Senator Dubois made his position plain
by sending In his resignation as secretary
of the caucus and member of the steering
committee. The caucus showed its con-
tempt for the young Idaho bolter by put
ting Senator Shoup. his bitterest enemy,
into his place on the steering committee.
When Dubois heard Of this he empha-
sized his desertion by saying that circum-
stances now made IL impossible for him 10
longer act with the Republican party. He
was now, thenceforth and forever free
lance. Senator Pettigrew of South Dako-
Ia. took the same stand. Dubois may not
be reelected. but Pettigrew has four years
longer to serve. Cannon, OF Utah, Mantle,
Of Montana, and Squire, Of Washington,
are not as extreme possibly as Dubois
and Pettigrew. They merely refuse at this
time to be bound by caucus rule. Later
they may, and probably viii. vote with the
regular Republicans for protective tariff
bill, but not this session. The steering
committee, however. was instructed to
leaIn If possible precisely what the rebel
lion meant, the fate of tariff legislation
next year depends on the attitude OF tine
bolters. Inasmuch as it is the recognized
Mckinley plan TO let revenue questions
rest this winter the kickers gain nothing
by this demonstration OF independence
By spring they will probably be more
tractable.
The Associated Press reporters say the
circumstances under which the Dingley bin
was referred to the steering commit.
tee Is accepted in the Senate as prac-
| tically the end OF this measure The
| debate i'm the caucus developed that there
was wide difference as to the advisability
| of attempting to pass the bill. even among
| the Republicans, and the opinion was
pressed by some who were on the inside
| that fully one-third of the Republican SEN
ators, not including the silver boilers, were
| antagonistic to the bill.
The most notable feature OF the caucus,
| as seen from the outside, was the absence
| of the men who had bolted the nomination
| of Mr.. Mckinley because of the gold stand
ard platform. Those who were absent on
this account were Senators Dubois, Petit
grew. Mantle. Cannon. Squire and Teller.
All of these. except Senator Teller, were I'm
the city. and could have attended IL they
had been so disposed. Indeed. some OF
them were in their committee rooms in the
| Capitol while the caucus was in session
| That their absence was intentional was
clearly shown by the following letter which
Senator Dubois sent TO. Chairman Sherman.
1 t-L
after the meeting was called to order by
Senator Sherman:
| "Sir-I hereby respectfully resign my po-
| sition as secretary Of the caucus Of Re-
| publican senators. | also resign my posi-
tion as member member and secretary secretary of ,a. the Re.
| of the Senate. Very truly, yours.
| FIRED T. DUBOIS"
The boilers had all received invitations,
which were sent them as IL they had never
left the party, but they had decided not to
attend. They found 1t impossible to COM
| municate with Senator Teller. who has not
yet reached the city but all expressed con-
fidence that If here he would not nave gone
into the conference. IL the boiling silver
| ties were conspicuous by their absence. the
| silver men who had remained within the
| party were. as a rule. exceptionally prompt
| in their attendance. Senator Carter, who.
while he refused TO accept the Dingley bill.
and vet refused to walk out OF the St.
Louis convention, was the second man to
enter the caucus chamber. and he was fol-
lowed closely by Messrs. Wolcott. Mitchell,
Shoup. Hansbrough. Cameron. Pritchard.
Perkins and Clark who heretofore have al
ways voted for silver when the question
was before the Senate.
There were very few speeches of any
4 Duh Il Of
nation was received without a word OF
comment. We just closed up the ranks
and marched out" said one of the partici-
pants, in referring TO the incident after the
close of the meeting. There was no formal
motion to accept the resignation but taxi
ing its acceptance as a matter of fact.
senator Lodge moved the election of SEN
ator Wilson, of Washington. In his stead.
as secretary. while Senator Shoup was
placed on the steering committee In the
| place vacated by his colleague This COM
mittee was also enlarged by the addition
of the name Of Senator Hansbrough. OF
The DingIey tariff act was referred to
the steering committee. with instructions
TO investigate as TO the likelihood OF get
ting the bill through. and TO devise a
means 10 that end III possible. IL was the
prevailing opinion that the best policy de-
manded the passage OF the BILL IL possible
| to encompass IL, but the opinion seemed quite
| as general that the result was not within
i the range OF possibilities. The entire aues-
| tion was referred TO the committee, with
very liberal powers.
| Senator Gear brought the Pacific Railroad
| question up as did Senator Lodge the i'm
migrant bill. The Pacific Railroad bill was
: | referred TO the steering committee bur
after Mr.. Lodge had explained the status
of the immigration bill the caucus decided
TO stand by that as party measure. and
| TO press for its early consideration. The
caucus also decided for an international
| | agreement on silver by agreeing TO the fol-
| lowing resolution. introduced by Senator
Wolcott:
Resolved. That a special committee OF
, | five members OF this caucus be appointed
. | to recommend some plan whereby legisla-
, ton may be had at this session OF Con-
! gress looking 10 an international confer