The herald., 1896-01-03
By the Committee Considering
Pending Bills
A STRONG FIGHT FOR SILVER
Made by the Advocates Of the White
Metal
Tho Senate Finance Committee Discusses the
Bond Biil-MGjority and 7inority Re.
ports VIII Be Submitted
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON Jan.Z.-The senate finance
committee adjourned at 1890 until to-
morrow. No action was taken and no vote
had. The bond bill was discussed, but the
tariff bill was not taken up. Senators White
and Wolcott were not present. Senator
Vest was not present, so The free silver and
anti-silver men were tied. After the regu-
lar meeting of the committee. the Repub.
lican members held conference, SO also
did the Democrats. Senator Jones of Ne
vada met with the Democrats as the con-
ference was considered silver conference
more than anything else. The silver men
unanimously decided to insist upon an
amendment in the nature of an entire SUBJ
stitute providing for the free coinage of
silver and the elimination of all authority
to issuance of bonds. Senator Jones Of
Arkansas was delegated to prepare the
measure in accordance with these views to
be submitted to a full meeting of the com
mittee as soon as it can be completed.
There is a hope the bill can receive final
consideration at the hands of the commit
tee in time to permit report to the senate
tomorrow, but this may not be accom-
plished. The absentees will be paired
when the vote is reached in committee.
The Democratic and silver members con-
cluded their conference before 2 o'clock,
but the Republicans and anti-free silver
coinage members continued theirs during
the afternoon. 1t is quite definitely deter
mined that they will make a minority re-
port. The majority of the Republicans
will oppose the reporting of the substitute
bill tomorrow but will ask that the report
be postponed until Tuesday next. They
COnSi6er .,f
ambiguous and they favor that it be so al
tered as to restrict the issuance of certifi-
Gates of Indebtedness to fifty million dollars
at Que time. Senator Sherman suggested a
change in the provisions for the retirement
of the greenbacks, but the suggestion did
insisted upon. The Republicans in their
conference after the Democrats withdrew
also dicussed the tariff bill at length. They
had before them all the amendments
which had been offered in the senate and
devoted themselves especially to consider.
ing the feasibility of so amending the bill
as 10 insure its passage. It was suggested
by Senator Mitchell of Oregon, would
demand the restoration of the full
Mckinley duty on wool and the sem
ator, concluded B to investigate the
probability of strengthening the meas
ure oy complying with this demand. They
gave like consideration to the known
wishes of other senators, and without de-
Gliding upon any changes, concluded to get
all the light they could obtain before pro-
ceeding to any definite course of action on
the tariff. While the silver members of
the committee have not decided upon the
exact phraseology of the substitute which
they will present, it is understood that the
wording in general way will follow that
of The amendment offered by Senator
Jones of Arkansas and the resolution in
t.oduc ID by Senator Vest. The first Sec
ton of the Jones amendment will be
changed SO as to provide for absolute free
and unlimited coinage of silver at l6 to l..
Another provision of the substitute will
look to the issuance of silver certificates on
the silver dollars to be coined under the
first section. The issuance of bank notes
of denominations of less than $40 will be
prohibited; the secretary of the TIRE asury
will be directed to coin the silver bullion
now in the treasury for the purpose of re-
deeming The treasury notes issued under
the act of 1890, and provision will be
made for the redemption of the green
backs in either gold or silver.