The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-09

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 6-The
most noticeable feature OF tho Repubii-
can senate caucus which assembled to-
day MS seen from the outside, waa tho
absence OF the men who had boiled tho
nomination OF Mckinley because OF the
gold standard platform. Those who
We're absent on this account were Senn-
tors Dubois, Pettlgrew, Mantle, Cannon,
Squire and Teller. All Of these except
Senator Teller were In the city and
could have attended II they had been SO
disposed. Indeed some OF them were in
their committee rooms In the cnp!toI
while the caucus was In progress. That
their absence was intentional was clear
ly shown by the following letter which
Senator Dubois sent TO the caucus and
which was read soon after the meeting
was called to order by Senator Sherman:
UNITED STATES SENATE. !,
Washington. D. c.. Dec. s, '96.
To Hon. John Sherman. Chairman
Caucus Republican Senator's:
SIr:-I hereby respectfully resign my
position as secretary OF the caucus Of
Republican senators. ] also resign my
position as a member and secretary OF
the Republican advlsory or Steering
committee OF the senate.
Very truly yours,
FRED T. DUBOIS.
The boilers had oil received invita-
tions, which were sent them as II they
had never lef; the party, but they had
decided not TO attend. They had found IL
impossible TO communicate with Sena-
tor Teller, who has not YET reached the
city. but all expressed confidence that II
here he would not have gone into the
conference.
II the boiling silverites were colsplc-
uous by the!r absence. the silver men
who had remained within the party
were, as Z rule exceptionally prompt in
their attendance. Senator Carter. who.
while he refused TO accept the DlnSley
tnrIH bill and yet refused TO walk out OF
the 81. Louis convention, was the second
man 10 enter the CAUCUS chamer. and he
was followed closely by Messrs. Wolcott,
Mitchell, Shoup, Hans brough, Cameron,
Pritchard, Perkins and Clark, who
heretofore have always voted for silver
when the question WAS before the SEN
ete.
There were no long speeches in the
caucus and very few speecnes OF any
character.
Senator Dubois letter Of resignation
was received without q word OF conf
:nent
- '-.Nw We sust closed up the ranks and
marched on" 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 tnk!ng It's accepts
ance rs 4 matter OF fact, Sentor Looge
moved the election OF Senator Wilson. OF
Washington, In his stead. as secretary.
while Senator Shuup was placed on tho
steering committee in the place vacated
by his colleague. This committee was
also enlarged by the addition OF the
name OF Senator Hansbrough, OF North
Dakota
The DIngley tariff bill was referred to
the steer!ng cJmTnittt-e with instruc-
tIons 10 investigate as 70 the likelihood
OF getting the bill through and 10 devise
means to that end II possible. It WIS
the prevailing opinion that the best
policy demanded the passage OF the biz.
II possible 10 encompass Il, but the
opinion seemed quite as general that
this result was not within the ranGe OF
possibilities.
The entire question was referred TO
the committee with very liberal powers.
Senator Gear brought up the Pacific
railroad question. as did Senator Lodte
the immigration bill. The Pacific road
bill was referred to the steering commit
tee, but after Mr.. Lodge had explained
the status OF the immigration bill the
CAUCUS decided to stand by that as a
party measure and TO press for Its early
consideration.
The caucus decided for an internatiol-
nj agrccmcnton silver by agreeing tothe
following resolution introduced by Sena-
tor Wolcott:
"Rcsolved. That a special COMMITTEES
OF five members OF this caucus be ap-
pointed TO recommend some plan where
by legislation may be had * this Sessinn
OF Congress looking TO an international
conference with leading commercial na>
lions OF the world for the promotion OF
bimctall!sm."
The action Of the silver Republican
senators In rcfra!ning from attendance
upon the Republican caucus to-day,
has led 10 no little speculation as 70
whether the course pursued to-day is
forerunncr OF the future, or whether
they will not at some time return 10
the party. Some Republicans think 1t
possible that the rccnlcisrart sena tors
regard tO-day's meeting rs merely pre-
liminary and will come back into the
fold after time. The silver senator's
decline 10 talk on the sugJcct for pub
liCatiOn, but from remarks dDpped
there can be no doubt they consider
that they have attended thelr last Re-
publican caucus.