New-York tribune., 1896-12-09
SILVER RULES The SENATE.
REPUBLICANS NOW IN HELPLESS
MINORITY.
THE BorTERs At ST. LOUIS AGAIN READ THEM
sEIvEs OUT OF THE PARTY-TIIE DTNGLEY
Bill. REFERRED TO THE STEERING
COMMITTEE THE Caucus
A MONETARY CONFER

ENCE FAVORED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

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fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIpUNE.1
Washington. Dec S-The caucus of Republi-
Senators held this morning at the Capitol
though rather barren and inconclusive IN re-
Suits deyeloped at least the salient fact that the
Republican strength in the 'delberative branch
has shrunk since last session from nominal ma
iority into very patent and helpless minority
The so-called silver Senators who last year were
classcd as Republicans. but who voted to hold
up" revenue and tariff legislation. and who sub
seouently boted the Republican National Con-
vention at St Louis. read themselves once more
ont of the PARTY organization by declining to
take part in this mornings deliberations. ana
practically serving notice on the Republican
leaders that their votes could no longer be de-
pended on for any purpose.
Senator Dubois Of Idaho. who up to to-day
continued to hold the post of secretary or the
Republican Steering Committee. formally re-
signed that office. and also gave up MS member
ship on the Steering Committee. me other
boiling Senators-Mante. OF Montana; fe.'-
grew. of South Dakota; Cannon. OF utah' le"e''
OF Colorado and Squire. OF Washington-reluseu
to attend the caucus. though all or them except
Mr.. Teller we're on han1 to-day and at the cap
itol. The real Republican strength IN the oe
Lucrative branch OF Congress- put last winter Al
forty-three Is thus seen to have Deen reuuceu
TO thrty-seven by desertions from the ranks
and the certain Republican vote has thus faiieh
once more below the Democratic whch SUN
stands at thirty-nine. What attitude '"e Sn>''
deserters will take toward proposed Republican
legislation at this session has not been dlscioseu
but there is little ground to hope that 1t VIII be
one OF either friendly cooperation or even s'rce
neutrality. ,
~. minority should tcel ltlle
DISPOSED 10 attempt to arrange a programme ior
,ha sose,o, under these circumstances was only
natural and little done except TO Ill tne
,.ac,,ciaa on the Steering Committee and en-
mower II to prepare later "A schedule OF ieeisia
lion for the winter Mr.. Wilson. OF Washington
was made secretary of the Steering Committee
I'm place Of Senator Dubois. and senators Shoup
Of Idaho and Hansbrough, OF North pahosa
wcr. put on the committee as auhltio'a' "''''
bers a., r,r,o,. hill
was discussed in desultory way . M.a'' -,
Hale Fry and Galnger favored an atenP. ~
get IL through at this session, ana M'sSiS' .,,u M
r,,b and Morrill, deprecated bringing on a USE
less struggle to pass the measure 'n.puen & q
hostile pro-silvcr body. The whole question was
rr.lly referred 10 the Steering committee TOT
settlement. 49,, ss,rahu,t,,
senator Gear Of Iowa. urged the desirap'li,y
~ nnssIng a Pacific Railroad Funding plli, ana
Senator Lodge brought forward ms i'ii',s, '.oi'
,,Yr fnr Endorsement The Pacific Road biil was
rcferred 10 the Steering Committee. but atter
Nr Lodge had explained the Immigration ol'.
- ,a,,'us decided To stand by that measure az
n niece OF party legislation and to press LOT It's
early consideration. .,,a,,r,
The caucus also decided In favor OF an attempt
=, a.crre an international agreement Tor the
coinage 81 silver by accepting resolution III III
,rnduced by Senator Wolcott providing ior the
appolntmcnt OF special committee OF n.e .o., ,em,
,nrs ,o dovise "A plan during the present session
80 s.curo such n conference. The foHo"ihg Is
the text nf the resolution
Resolved That special committee OF Ii.e 'nerli l
" IA. =, 80. caucus bc appointed to recommend some
~ ' ~ mnar.hv legislation may be had M this session
P"i 49, icoting TO an international conference
80 ,,h ic,d,nr commercial nations OF the world TOT
fhe promotion Of bimetallism