New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-06
WASHINGTON.
rh1nr1 rss FINANCE CAUCUs.

go, "a INTERESTED MORE IN The BELKNAP
NATTER THAN IN THE CURRENcY-BlLls Bf MIX
,,,,v ,Nn MR.. BEIGHT-PRUDENT CoUNsElS
BY SEVERAL LEADERS
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEJ
WILMINGTON, March 5.-lhe attenuance az '~ r
=, arrot;c caucus last evening was rather small
- tbsn 100 Senators and Representatives oelns
.,re.snt The interest of those who were tneie ~
tbs snbiect for which the caucus was caiieu was
sven less. A discussion OF the Ia.o
Iations touching Gen. Relknap anu 'noa
effect upon parties seems 10 DO Hloi'
traotiye to Democratic politicians JuSV nv"
than tba consideration of the currency g"'9'iO-
The Committee appointed by order OF inc i''.
rus made 40 reports. That signed oy THO
was in the form Of BILL Whlch was 49,
In THP TRIBUNE of last FRIDAY anu vas
.-.santoa nv Mr.. Payne. The minority re-
,b;cb was simply bill repeating
~ Rosrmption act of 1875, without conaltiohS
ond without proposing the substitution Oh any
iegis,ot;on was presented by Mr. Bright the OhaI-
~, of the Committee. The caucus adopted q Iulc
that dobate ON the subject should he limited 10 nVo-
'a;n,,to snoecbes. except by members OF the Coin-
,,,i,,oo WIN were allowed TO speak htteeh minutes
A. pine made very earnest speech IN favor oil
.ho b;ll reported by the minority. He said that II
represented fairly the spirit OF compromise IL was
not spcb bill as the advocates of contraction ana
.orIv resumption of specie payments DESIRED ana IL
1as "a difficult for them to support 1t as IL Wouiu DC
Cor an infatonist He also urged 1t on the import
once and necessity of q compromise II action Is 10
no taken on this subject during the present session
Of Congress. A.
Senator Bayard, who was also member OF tue
Committee spoke about half an hour IN favor OF the
PAYNE bill. His time was extended by unanimous
consent. He said that he had always been IN iaNol
of contraction and the speedy resumption OF specie
oayments, but having become convinced tla'
nothing could be accomplished except bycompromlse
and concession on both sides, he Thought thst ths
II vas fair measure representing that sentiment.
He urged the desrabity of party union and warned
the Democratic party that it would not by any
means do 70 roly upon the fall of Secretary Belk-
nan OF upon any disclosures which may be expected
in the furture TO raise the Democratic party into
mower That party, if il would secure the confidence
of the people and win victory in the coming PTesi-
DENTAL election, must have some positive policy on
all the great questions of the day, and especially on
the subject Of the currency.
Mr.. Bright repeated in substance the speeches he
has heretofore made against contraction, ana urgeu
that the people of this country were strongly OPP
posed 70 it. He is said to have inimated, If he did
not actually affirm, that Gov. Hendricks of Indiana
has recently assured friends that he approves Of the
creenback theories put forth by both parties in that
State.
Mr.. Landers, alsO of the Committee made speech
IN favor of the minority bill and against contraction
His speech is said to have been somewhat ultra IN
its character After several fiyemnute speeches by
others the caucus adjourned 10 meet again on Tues
day evening next.
Senator Thurman, who was expected to be pres
ent. was detained at home by sickness. There is
very little hope among the Democrats that the eau
Gus will DO brought to support the Payne bill, OF
that the Democratic party be united ON any cur
renCy measure.