Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-22
THE SILVER BILL.
1t Remains With the Coinage
Committee.
Speaker Reeds Position on the
MOoted Question.
He Deigns to Make all Explanation
of His Action.
The Friends of the White Metal Appeal in
Vain From the Autocrat's Arbi-
trary Decision.
Associated Press Dispatches.

nays were ordered upon McKinleys mo-
ton to table his (Bland's) appeal from
the decision of the chair yesterday, de-
clining to entertain his motion to take
the silver bill from the speakers table.
He announced that he desired to with
draw his appeal but Mckinley insisted
on vote so BANDS motion to recon-
slider was put and defeated-90 to 120.
The roll was called on McKinley's mo-
ton to table Bland's appeal. 1t pre-
vailed-yeas, 146; nays, 45. All the free
coinage men except DE Haven, who did
not vote, voted to table the appeal, as
well as the following Democrats: Buck
lew, Campbell, Dunphy Fitch, Geissen-
hainer, Lewis, McAdoo, Mutchler and
Tracey. A large number of Democrats
refused to vote.
The regular order being demanded,
Speaker Reed proceeded to state his po-
sition on the mooted question and the
reference of the silver bill, which he
had referred to the committee on coin
age, weights and measures. He said
the rules required such bills to be refer
red, and statement to that effect should
be put in the journal and record. The
fit not to permit it to become part Of
the journal. That left a somewhat
difficult question as to the status of the
bill. Individually the chair believed
that the refusal to record a fact, did not
obliterate the fact itself. The chair be-
lieved that the senate amendment to
the silver bill come within the purview
of rule 20, which prescribes that any
amendment made by the senate to any
house bill, must be considered
first by a committee of the whole.
The senate amendment to this bill
struck out the first section, substituting
another section containing no words of
appropriation, and proposing different
line of action, to-wit: The purchasing
of silver bars and the coming of all sill
yer presented, instead of the purchase
of silver bullion. This and other sub
situations were plainly new propositions,
requiring consideration in committee of
the whole. Under these circumstances,
and in conformity with the rules, the
chair held that the bill had been re-
ferred and was now referred to the COM
mittee of coinage, weights and
measures.
Bland, of Missouri, appealed from the
decision and proceeded to argue that the
house bill, and the bill as it came from
the senate, were similar in terms and
purpose, and that the bill was not sub
iect to reference to the committee of the
whole.
Perkins, of Kansas, said it was the
purpose not to secure free coinage, but
to force through a measure the presi-
dent would be obliged to veto.
Henderson, of Iowa, held up the ur-
gent deficiency appropriation bill as an
instance of q bill which had taken the
same course as the silver bill in refer
ence.
Springer declared that the silver bill
was the only one subjected to this treat
ment. The Republicans and their
speaker were lodging the silver ques
ton.
Crisp, of Georgia, said discreditable
way had been found under the rules to
still the minority when that minority
had become majority. This was the
only opportunity to get vote upon free
coinage. If the speaker was sustained
and the bill went to the coinage COM
mittee, if it ever again came before the
house, it would come under rule that
would keep it entirely within the control
of the gold men--who would alone be
Townsend, of Colorado, said he voted
as he had because he felt that it was his
duty to his people to endeavor to get
free coinage.
Morrow, of California, contended, in
opposition to the speakers ruling, that
the bill was on the speakers table, open
to the disposition of the house.
Hermann, of Oregon, said the silver
question was the issue of the election
held four weeks ago in his state. He
had agreed to support the Republican
state platform, declaring in favor OF
free coinage. Those were his sailing
orders.
Bartine, of Nevada, said the represen-
tatives Of the silver-producing states
were mostly new members, not trained
parliamentarians, but he could read
plain English, and when the rules said
bill must be considered in committee of
the whole, it did not mean that it was to
go to the coinage committee.
Fitch, of New York, said it was plain
that yesterdays proceeding was vic
tory for free coinage. When it came to
that point he would refuse longer to
combine with the Republicans and
vote to refer the bill to the proper COM
mittee.
Cllnle, Oh CalllOTnla, SAID there were
not three districts in the United States,
outside of the silver-producing states,
that would support such a proposition
as that contained in the amendment to
the bill. AS for the coinage committee,
he would promise again that the bill
would be reported back at the earliest
possible moment. The committee was
not unfavorable to silver.
Connell, of Nebraska, said he could
not see why this should be regarded as
political question. Some of the Demo-
Gratis may be found voting against the
majority of their party; why should not
the western Republicans show the same
independence?
The debate having closed, Mckinley
moved to table BANDS appeal. The
yeas and nays resulted: Yeas, IA, nays,
liz: The appeal was laid on the table
The following Republicans voted with
the Democrats against McKinley's mo-
ton: Bartine, Connell, De Haven, Her
mann, Kelly, Moore, Townsend and
Funston.
These Democrats voted with the Re-
publicans in favor of the motion: Buck
alew, Dunphy, Fitch, Geissenhainer,
Maish, McAdoo, Mutchler, O'Neil,
Massachusetts; Quinn, Wiley and
Stahlnecker.