ition. They were
desirous of aiding the President, but their constituents behind
them were generally in favor of the free coinage of silver. In
some of the northern states, especially in Ohio, the Democratic
party had declared, in its convention, in favor of free coinage,
and now their President demanded, in the strongest language, the
repeal of the only provision of law for the purchase or coinage of
silver. The House promptly responded to the appeal, but the
Democratic Senators hesitated and delayed action until after three
months of weary debate. Their party had a majority in each House,
and should have disposed of the only question submitted by the
President in thirty days. Voorhees was the first Democratic Senator
to announce his purpose to vote for the repeal, although previously
an advocate of free coinage, and he, as chairman of the committee
on finance, reported the bill of the committee, while others lingered
in doubt. The Republican Senators, except those representing silver
states, as a rule, promptly avowed their purpose to vote for repeal,
although they had voted for the law.

After the call for the extra session was issued, I had expressed
my opinion of silver legislation, but I did not wish to embarrass
the President. When interviewed I refused to answer, saying the
people had called upon the present administration to handle these
questions, and neither I nor anyone should do aught to add
embarrassment, when so much already existed. When Congress met,
the Republicans remained quiet, and did not seek to embarrass the
administration, but it was soon ascertained that a decided majority
of them would vote for the repeal of the purchasing clause of the
act of 1890, but against any modification of any other provision
of that act. The position of the Republican Senators from the
states west of the Mississippi River was also known. They would
vote against any change of the law, unless they could secure the
free coinage of silver. During this period the position of the
Democratic Senators was unknown, but it was rapidly developed, with
the result already stated.

Congress adjourned on the 3rd of November. The closing days were
memorable for their excitement. For fourteen consecutive days the
Senate did not adjourn, but from time to time took recesses. On
the 31st of October the journal had not been read for fourteen days.

During this period I was requested by Governor McKinley to take
part in