, 1890-06-20
THINKS HE'S A CAR.
Bold Attempt of Tom Reed
and His Gang
To Delay Action on the Sill
yer Coinage Bill.
A Few Republicans who
Dare Do Right.

WASHINGTON, une l9 Mills OF
iected to the approval of the journal on
the ground that 1t had not been read in
full by the clerk.
The speaker ordered a full reading and
the clerk proceeded to read that portion
OF the journal which disclosed the refer
ence of the silver bill to tie committee on
coinage. weights and measures.
Mckinley moved that the journal be
approved and demanded the previous
question, despite Mills protest that he
was entitled to recognition to move to cor
rect the journal.
Springer raised the point of order that
the journal contained a record of some
thing which had never happened.
The speaker replied that that was for
the house TO decide, and directed the
clerk to call the roll. The clerk pro-
ceeded while Springer, amid the applause
OF his party colleagues, entered a vigorous
protest addressing the speaker, saying:
You can ignore the rights of representa-
tives of the people. but the people will
pull you down, sir, at the polls next
November and youf party with you"
1hS hOocS 1Ao9Sh Oibtt bhC ltNiouo
question-l02 10 Il7-aim1 loud Demo
cratic applause.
The following Republicans voted with
the Democrats in the negative. Messrs,
Bsrtine, De Haven, Kelley. Kerr OF
Iowa, Lind, Morrow and Townsend of
Colorado.
Mills offered a resolution recitiDg that
the order OF reference made by the
speaker in referring the silver bill to the
committee on coinage. weights and meas
ures was incorrect under the rules of the
house and was made without authority
under the rules. and resolving that the
Journal be corrected by striking there
from this entry.
Cannon of Illinois argued that the
senate amendments would require to be
considered 10 committee of the whole.
That being so it was the speakers duty
TO refer it to the committee on coinage,
weights and measures. The resolution
sought to strike out a recital OF the tact.
Mills of Texas characterized Cannon's
position as the boldest, most reckless and
absurd position he had ever heard main
tanned in a legislative body. Under the
constitution the journal was to be kept BY
the house, not by the speaker or his
clerks. The Republican party was
CuArReu Win DtluR ldlot 10 ltc pltuRtb On
the matter of silver. The Democratic
party would give the people free and I'M
limited coinage of silver. At the hust-
ings the people would ask the Republi
cans why. when they were sent here as
the friends of silver. they voted to pre-
vent the consummation of the peoples
wishes and the ful6llment of their
promises,
Peters of Kansas, though declaring
himself a tree coinage man, sustained the
speakers action, cOntending that under
the rules il was the speakers duty to re
fer the bill a. he had done.
Briggs of California put an interoga-
tory with such vehemence as to draw
forth the laughter of the house, which
was renewed when Briggs in perfect good
nature, but totally obllvious of the speak
er's gavel. continued to put his ques-
tons.
Finally the speaker asked sternly:
will the gentleman from California be
in order2'
Il will. replied Briggs in a meek but
pleasant voice, which again gave rise to
merriment.
Crisp of Georgia submitted an argu-
ment to show that under the rules the
speaker had not the power to refer the
bill AS he had done.
Springer of Illinois commended for the
right of the house to revise the journal
and make 1t show what the majority of
the house decided it should show. The
purpose of referring the bill to the com
mites on coinage, weights and measures
was to prevent the house from voting on
the Question OF concurrence in the senate
amendments The rules, viii III 1t was
claimed were intended to allow the major
icy &c do business and prsIuce results,
We're now pr%Ustttuted To the base purpose
of gagging the majority.
Bland of Missouri held that no other
course was open but to strike the errone-
GUS referense of the Till from the journal.
That would place the bill on the speakers
table again and allow the house to get
at it.
Butterworth of Ohio said the time had
not come when the Republican party was
willing to abdIcite its control over the
business of the house. The question
would be put next fall, but not in tint
to affect this question.
Mcmillan OF Gennessee--'But it will
be 10 time for this question to affect it,"
democratic cheers
Continuing, Butterworth held that the
zeal question before the house was
whether or not the speaker referred the
bill TO the committeeman that 1t was or
was not properly referred. The question
arose whe her the speaker was authorized
TO make the reference. He commended
that he was so authorized. Rule 81
gives the speaker authority TO refer pub
lie bills to appropriate committees
Springer argued that the silver bill was
not properly under the rules) before the
house yesterday, because the business on
the speaker s table had not been reached.
Butterworth said the pending PROPOSE
tion sought to .unhorse the Republican
majority aud to put the Democratic mi
norlty IN the saddle. Republicans should
not abdicate in favor of the Democrats
until at least they should determine that
they were unable to conduct the business
Of the majority. [Republican applause.
he was in favor OF an early consideration
of the silver bill.
Anderson of Kansas, while declaring
himself al earnest advocate of free coin
age, maintained the correctness OF the
speakers ruling. He wanted to ask the
chairman of the committee on coinage,
weights and measures whether the COM
mittee would give the house a chance to
vote upon the measure.
Conger of Iowa, chairman of that com
mittee, replied that as far as he was per-
~sonally concerned he would make every
effort to secure legislation on this subject.
Crisp said the committee on rules
might interfere as it did to prevent a vote
on the free coinage of silver.
Mills said the point he made was that
under the existing rules the silver bill re-
manned upon the speakers table to be
disposed of as the house, and not the
speaker, should determine.