Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-21
CHANDLER'S LETTER.
His Attack on Gage and His Pol.
icy Sets National Capital
Comment k.Going.
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE BLAST.

Part of The General Silver Plan TO Prevent
Gold Legislation -woIco,t Alleged To BE
Vnrestfui Under the Apparent Gold Pol
Icy Of the Administration-Ta,ko of Him
Resicnin--Evans Testifies Against the
Civil Service Law, n 1t Is Now.
Washington. Dec. 21.-Sentor ". z.
Chambers open letter attacking Secre-
tary Gage for pressing his financial plan
upon the attention of congress, for the
obvious purpose Of compelling a con-
sideration of the question by the ex-
ecutive branch of the government, is
causing considerable comment in Wash
!ngton. Some speculation is INDUCED
in as 10 the senator's object in making
the drive at Secretary Gage. and over
his head at the administration behind
him The conclusion arrived at is that
II is part Of the general free silver
plan TO attack any attempt to disturb
the financial status in the direction Of
gold legislation. Senator Chandler is
regarded by the free silyeTites as one Of
their strongest men. and from the ag-
gressive stand which he has been TAX
ing the last few months they expect
him 10 line up with the contingent
which has Senator Teller for its leader
Gage Looking for Opposition.
IL may be said, however. that Secre-
tary Gage anticipated the opposition Of
Chandler. and he is not surprised that
IL should have come in the form it has.
a l.s.Ha. q,
important effect either upon congress
or upon the country. He has not at
any time fiattered himself that his plan
would meet the unanimous approval Of
congress. lie has simply presented his
views. which of course. he believes to
be correct, and IL congress is disinclined
90 legislate along the lines he suggests.
that Is It's business: he has done his
duty as he sees it and his responsibility
for the future. IL congress disagrees
with him. il at an end.
How wolco:t Is Feeling.
The rumor that Senator wolcott will
resign his seat has for its basis the
report that he is dissatisfied with the
backing Mckinley is giving Gage. VOL
cott cunstrues the secretary's plan TO be
one which will commit the government
irrevc vccahly 90 the gold standard. and
that while the president himself has
not taken quite SO advanced a position
as has Gage he is standing up close
behind that official and Is giving him
his moral support. Therefore. argues
Wolcott. the president was insincere in
sending n monetary commission abroad
In NrsfFH
for an international timetable agree
ment. And therefore. also. wolcott
thinks. IL is said. that he has been made
a fool Of in putting him where he posed
as attempting the impossible, known in
advance TO be such.
The President and the Motlifyers.
Washington. Dec. 2l.-Apropos os the
movement u modify the civn service
law-not TO say repeal it entirely-the
president Ia not at all Indifferent there
TO. lie was visited yesterday by Rep
rcsentative Brosius. Of Pennsylvania.
chairman Of the house civil service
committee. who had an extended con-
ference with him about the operation
OF the law. The president is availinC
himself 81 the opportunity to talk freely
with senator's and representatives con-
cerning the law and the effort that
Is now being made TO secure its modifi-
cation. He is being urged to except
some positions that are ROW in the
classified service. but at the White
House 1t is said that he has not yet
seriously considered the question OF
modifying the law.
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