The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-23

ing fnll occupation to the marshais.
The sDceches were wei varied with wit
and sound argument, and the exercises very
creditabie to all the participants. Lex.
Especial dispatch 70 the Baltimore SanI.
a General Caucas ON the Financial
Issues.
IMPORTANT ACTION OF THE sILvER-MEN-AN
ORGANIZED MOyEMENT--THE NATIONAL
RANKS TO BE SPARED-GENERAL BUTLER'S
VIEWS on CIRCUMyESTING THE PRESIDENT,
&C., &C.
WASHINGTON, January 21.-The, contest
over the currency was renewed in secret
caucus, called irrespective OF party, which
assembled in the House judiciary-room i'm
mediately after adjournment. There were
one hundred members present, mostly from
The South and West, with several from
Pennsylvania, and one, General Butler,
from New England. The two parties were
very nearly equal? represented.
Mr.. Huckner, OF Missouri, chairman OF
the Banking and Currency Committee, pre-
sided. lie stated that the caucus had been
called for the purpose OF organizing 4
movement in both houses Of Congress to
accomplish three objects: First, repeal Of
the resumption act; second, RECOMMENDATION
OF silver and third, substitution OF green
backs entirely for misunderstanding cur
rency.
Upon the last point there immediately
arose an animated debate, which continued
for an hour and half. The principal
speakers were General Benjamin f. Butler,
SIessrs. McMahon OF Ohio, Townsend, Car
fer. Harrison and Fort OF Illinois, Hooker
OF Mississippi, Bouck Of Wisconsin, Tom
Ewing. and Bragg.
The result was the defeat OF the propo-
si.ion respecting national banks, and the
unanimous adoption Of the following reso-
tuition. presented by Mr.. Fort, Of Illinois !:
ResolUed. That the purpose Of the organ-
jzation now about TO be made shall be con-
lined to the reconciliation OF the silver
dollar and repeal of the resumption act.
1t was discovered in the course OF the
debate that the national bank issue was one
which majority OF those among the Re-
pubIicans present at least desired for the
present to avoid. One OF the speakers said
that the lesson of 1Esep's fable was true
one-that the bundle Of sticks could best be
broken by breaking each one separately.
Mr.. Mcmahon, Of Ohio, thought that the
whole sub iect might as we'll be entered upon
and direct issue made now as ut any time.
He was very earnest, and particularly bitter
in his denuncation of the misunderstanding
system.
Mr.. Townsend, OF Illinois, likewise de-
nounced national banks, and declared that
there was not q nationa-banker in bis dis
trict who was not opposed to the silver
movement.
Mr.. Bragg, OF Wisconsin, took similar
grounds.
General Tom Ewing, who has been very
pronounced in his opposition to the national
banking system, and who sought first to
commit the House to that theory, seems,
since his recent experience in Ohio, to have
undergone a change OF heart, and very
earnestly opposed bringing the national
bank question into the present controversy.
Mr. Fort, of Illinois, whose resolution
finally prevailed, was Of the same opinion as
on the original proposition. BE would not
be for the national banks, but they are es-
tablished, and 4 good many things could be
said in their favor, especially as they helped
TO keep bonds at home, and in any event sill
yer and resumption issues ought not to be
complicated by the introduction OF the ma
tional-bank question.
The principal speeches, OF few minutes
each, were rather in the nature OF running
conference than set speeches.
The proposition that was made was rather
an indirect assault upon national banks than
direct one, as it was to provide that the
Government should assume to issue all pa
per money and to control it.
General Ben. Butler made the speech OF
the caucus. 1t was twenty-five minutes IN
length, and received universal attention.
It contained the most radical suggestions.
The temper manifested towards the Admin
istration is said to have been personally very
friendly, but its tone was extremely deter.
mined.
General Butler suggested measure Whlct
4 considerable number OF the persons pre-
ent at the caucus considered to be very
practicable one in the event OF the veto o.
the silver bill by the President.
He stated in substance that if the silver
bill should pass both houses by respecta
BILE majority-by two thirds, IL fact, as il
now seems likely to do-and the Presiden
should veto it, that then ii would be eXpe
dient anu would probably be the duty o.
the lower House to attach proriso to al
appropriation bills that a certain amount O
the money appropriated should be in silver
and certain amount in gold.
General Butler maintained that this was
rs much within the province OF the House
OF Representatives as it is Of the House o
Commons OF England. He said that ht
could not vote for the bill that was repealed
IN the House IN the altSTHOQR, US nc Con-
sidered that the Government was bound tx
maintain its obligations to pay interest OIL
the public debt in coin, but he stated tina
only $95,000,000 annually are requisite fol
this purpose, while the total amount OF Gus
toms revenue is about S160,000,000.
He would therefore provide that GER
tain portion-say forty-tive per cent?
customs dues should be receivable in gold
the rest in silver or legal tenders. He woult
also provide that OF appropriations certain
amount OF money voted should be voted il
silver and a certain amount in gold, ant
that provision should be made for mintin
silver.
The organization formed to-day meet
subject to the call OF the chairman OF thi
organization. Mr. Buekner, OF Missouri
was elected president, and Mr.. Philips, 0
Kansas, secretary.
FEATURES OF THE NEW TARIFF AND TIA
LEGIsLATIoN.- Washington, January 21.-
1t is gathered from conversations with men
bers OF the Ways and Means COMMITTEE