Evening star., 1899-03-08
Disagreement in the Republican
House Caucus Committee
WHAT TEE SPEAKERS FRIENDS WANT
Secretary Cages Desire for a
Sweeping Revision.
FEELING TOWARD MIR. REED

The work of the republican House caucus
committee on the currency is likely to at
tract more than passing attention before 1t
IS through. At present there appears
certain amount OF indefiniteness as to what
this committee is to do. but in the light
OF the circumstances leading to the ap-
pointment of the committee and the condi-
tions now existing. 1t may be seen that the
work CONTEMPLATED is important and that
within its narrow confines may be con-
cluded the subtle conflict between two
schools of policy within the republican
party. 1t has already been predicted by
one or more members of the committee
identified with Mr. Reed that the financial
legislation to be proposed to the next Con-
gress ~ he conmi- tee will not go beyond
= proposition to permit national banks to
issue their notes up TO the amount of the
full face value of their United States bonds
placed in security for such crcu alton, and
q provision that greenbacks which have
once been redeemed in gold shall not again
be issued except IN exchange for gold
Reformers Not Satisfied.
This is not all that the currency reformers
look for. a general currency reform is de-
sired by the administration. as represented
by the Secretary of the Treasury, and ali
those in sympathy with Secretary Gage
oils monetary commission which has main
tanned a headquarters here since soon after
the meeting of the monetary convention at
Indianapolis. This commission and Secre-
tary Gage worked hard for legislation by
the Congress just expired, and, falling,
hOped for an extra session of the F'f. 8
sixth Congress for the purpose Of passing
the Gage hill or some similar financial re-
form measure.
ore great difficulty. recognized by every
one in the way of financial legislation ny
the Fifty-fifth Congress was the fact that
the Senate had practically silver major
fty. but this was not tha only difficulty. 1t
was also a recognized fact that the House
banking and currency committee was seri-
ously divided on the subject Of the details
Of a measure and that this division in the
committee corresponded to the situation in
the House itself 1t was very generally
understood also that the views of Mr.. Reed
differed materially with those held by the
administration. The question has been
raised as to whether or not the administra-
ton could rely with entire confidence upon
a committee appointed by Speaker Reed
(he being Speaker of the next House, to
carry out exactly the ideas of the Treas
ury Department
Secretary Cages Idea of a Caucus.
It was to avoid, as far as possible, delay
and the development of differences after
the organization of the next House that
the suggestion was made of having a eau
Gus of the republicans of the last House
appoint a committee to take care of the
question. and If possible to formulas a
plan during the recess of Congress upon
which all could agree when Congress
should meet The suggestion was under
stood at the time to come from Secretary
Gaga- and 1t was put into execution by
Mr.. GrOsvenor, Il close friend of the Pres
idents. There was no general discussion
OF the subject prior to the calling of the
caucus TO appoint the COMMITTEES. and many
members of the House did not know for
what purpose the caucus was called until
after they had assembled and the resolu-
t1ons had been laid before them The idea
IN the mind of the Secretary of the Treas
ury and others who wanted the movement
In behalf OF financial reform legislation
by the next Congress to begin at once was
that a general financial reform measure
should result. not mare temporary or
partial measure.
COntention in the Committee.
1t is now intimated that there is likely to
be contention in the caucus Committee be-
tween the proposition for a limited and that
for general measure, and Speaker Reeds
name is associated with the idea of oppo-
s4tion to the details of the administration
plans The purpose of the appointment of
tns committee is of course. to adjust all
differences or opinion and to secure perfect
harmony OF action, but there is some un-
certainty as to what the result will be.
Everything is open for future developments
but u is intimated in certain quarters that
upon the success met with in securing har-
mony OF action between the friends of Mr..
Reed and those particularly of the Presi-
dent may possibly depend the question of
the organization of the House at the open
ing of the Fifty-sixth Congress.
As little evidence as there is on the sur
face of any opposition to Mr. Reed for re-
election as Speaker OF the House, the feast
biHty of putting UP candidate against him
is being quietly talked over among some
OF the strong supporters Of the adminis-
having been friendly to measures before
Congress at the last session in which the
administration was particularly interested.