The herald., 1896-12-09
Miss the Members Who Ad-
vOCated Silver
THE DINGLEY TARIFF BILL
Referred to the Steering Committee For
Some Investigation
The Measure Is Not Regarded as Among
Those Likely to Receive Consider
alton at This Session.
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The most
notable feature of the Republican SEN
ate caucus today as seen from the out
side was the absence of the men who
bolted the nomination of Mckinley be-
cause of the gold-standard platform
Those absent on this account were Du-
bois, Pettigrew. Mantle, Cannon, Squire
and Teller. All except Teller were in tn =
city and were invited to attend the eau
Gus. That their absence was intentional
was clearly shown by the following let
ter. read soon after the caucus was call
ed to order, by John Sherman:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec S.-Hon
John Sherman. Chairman of the Caucus
of Republican Senators-Sir: here
by respectfully resign my position as
secretary of the caucus of Republican
senators. / also resign my position as
a member and secretary of the Republi-
can advisory or steering committee of
the senate. Very truly yours,
FIRED T. DUBOIS"
Dubois resignation was received with
out comment. On motion Of Lodge, VII
son of Washington was chosen secre-
tary. Shoup was placed on the steering
committee in the place vacated by his
colleague. This committee was also en-
larged by the addition of Hansborough
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 devise
means to that end if possible. 1t was the
prevailing opinion that the best policy
demanded the passage of the bill. but
the opinion seemed to be quite general
that this was not within the range Of
possibility.
Gear brought up the Pacific railroad
bill 1t was referred to the steering COM
mittee.
After Lodge explained the status of
the immigration bill, the caucus de-
sired to stand by that as a party meas
ure and press it's early consideration.
The caucus also decided for an in
ternational agreement on silver by
agreeing to the following resolution, in
troduced by Wolcott
Resolved. That a special committee
of five members of this caucus be ap-
pointed to recommend some plan where
by legislation may be had in this ses-
sion of congress looking to an internal
tional conference with the leading COM
mercial nations of the world on the pro-
motion of bimetallism''
The action OF the Republican sena-
torial caucus in referring the Dingley
tariff bill to its steering committee and
the circumstances under which this ac-
ton was taken, are accepted in the SEN
ate as practically an end to the agitation
in the interest Of this measure. The
debate in the caucus developed that
there are wide differences as to the ad-
visibility of attempting to pass the bill,
even among Republicans, and the opin-
ion is expressed by some who are on the
inside that fully one-t third Of the Repub-
lican senator's. not including the silver
bolters, were antagonistic to the bill
The action of the silver Republican
senators in refraining from attendance
upon the Republican caucus today led
to no little speculation as to whether
the course pursued today is forerunner
of the future of whether they will not at
some time return to the party. Some
Republicans think that 1t is possible the
recalcitrant senators will come back into
the fold after time. This supposition
Is apparently without foundation or jus
tification. The silver senators are very
chary about discussing their intentions
for the future, but from remarks made
by some of them there can be no doubt
that they consider that they have at
tended their last Republican caucus.
They say that they desire to be in an
Independent position, where they can
accept or reject any tariff proposition
presented by their former party asso-
riatpS