The record-union., 1896-02-05

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The Senate
Finance Committee ordered the tariff
bill to be reported amended so as to
strike out all after the enacting clause
and substituting for it the free coinage
OF silver
The action of the committee in substi-
tuting a provision for the free coinage
of silver for the tariff bill was unexpect-
ed to the Republican members of that
committee, for they did not believe, as
one of them remarked after the meet
ing adjourned that the silver men would
carry out their threat of substituting
silver for every proposition that came
before that committee.
The absentees were Senators Wolcott
and Jones of Arkansas, but it was
agreed that every Senator should be re-
corded on any vote that was taken.
Shortly after the committee met at II
O'Clock, Morrill,, the Chairman, an
nounced that he and his Republican as
sCciates We're determined that the tariff
bill should be reported to the Senate to-
day in some shape, either as it came
from the House, with amendments, or
adversely.
Then Vest of Missouri said that the
matter had been discussed by the silver
men of the committee, and they be-
lieved that the proper disposition of the
subject was to be found in a motion
which he would make. He then moved
to strike out all after the enacting
clause, and substitute therefor a provis-
ion for the free and unlimited coinage of
silver
This motion prevailed, by the follow
ing vote: For the substitute-Jones
POp) of Nevada, VOORHEES, of Indiana,
Harris Of Tennessee, Vest of Missouri,
Jones of Arkansas, White Of Cali
fornia and Walthall of Mississippi
(Dems.) Total, Z.
Against the observation-disclosures Nor
TilI of Vermont, Sherman of Ohio, Ali
son of Iowa, Aldrich Of Rhode Island,
Platt of Connecticut and Wolcott of
Colorado CReps.). Total, 6.
Wolcott, although a silver man, is re-
corded against the substitute for the
reason that at the last meeting of the
committee he was in favor of the bill as
it came from. the House. With Wolcott
so voting, the majority of the substitute
is one-that situation being made pos
sible through the action of Jones of
Nevada, who has heretofore acted in
unison with the Republicans on tariff
questions.
Soon after the Senate convened, Nor
rill reported the bill with the substitute
10 the Senate. It was understood in
committee that he will endeavor to call
it up tomorrow and have it made un-
finished business.
Republicans. while protesting to be-
lieve that they can pass the bill, seem
to have reached a point where they are
willing to permit the silver element of
the Senate to do anything of which it
may be capable, and for which it may
have the strength, so that the country
may know in whose hands the power of
the Senate lies. They will therefore
urge speedy action, so that the result
may be definitely determined, and the
question, so far as this Congress is con-
cerned, disposed of finally.
During the day silver Republicans
had ample opportunity to confer to-
gether about the action OF the Finance
Committee, and there is reason to be-
lieve that they viii almost unanimously
vote to kill the substitute reported to
the Senate, believing that it is not in
the interest, but is disadvantageous to
the silver cause. Many Senators ex-
pressed their intention of supporting
Ouay's motion to recommit, with in
structions to separate the subject mat
ter and bring in two different bills, but
the Democrats on both sides of the sill
yer question viii vote against this.
While the silver Republicans will thus
probably not support the committee
free coinage substitute, it looks as if
the Administration men in the Senate
who have vigorously opposed free coin
age viii vote to fasten that sort of legis-
lation upon the tariff bill for the pur-
pose of killing it. on the ground that the
end justifies the means.