Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-03
THE COINAGE COMMITTEE.
Sharp Discussion Between Members at r,
days Meeting.


days Meeting.
When the House coinage committee met this
morning the chairman read telegraphic
appeal from St. Louis for further hearings on
the free coinage bill.
Messrs. Bland and Bartine entered vigorous
protestagainst further delay in the consideration
of the Senate bill. Mr. Bartine said tha, the
purpose was plainly to secure delay. He said
further that if any effect was made to postpone
action in committee until such time that the
House could not act, il would be Just as COM
plete sitting Of public opinion as the sup
preston Of votes in South Carolina.
A TILT BETWEEN MEMBERS.
Mr.. Walker argued for deliberate considera-
ton Of this important question. He did not
propose to be suppressed as he had in the
past. When q man had risen to argue against
free coinage he had been checked. He read
from local newspaper an extract
speaking of the friction in the committee and
attributing to Messrs. Bland and Bartine a dis
position to harrass him. This stirred up the
opposition, and Mr.. Bland. interrupting. de-
clared with greatfrankness that he had no doubt
that the gentleman from Massachusetts, mir.
Walker) wanted to flibuster from now until the
4th of March.
Mr.. Walker did not consider the gentleman's s
Mr.. Bland retorted tartly that the gentleman
(Mr. Waiker) had himself violated parlia-
nentary rules in reading the article and adopt
ing its insinuations.
The chairman was evidently in q quandary,
but finally, at Mr.. Bartine's suggestion, Mr..
Walker was allowed TO proceed. He argued
for some time against fixing a date for the
vote and in favor of allowing the st. Louis
people to be heard. This coinage question
was. to his mind, more important than the
tariff or any other economical question.
Mr.. Walker disclaimed any insinuation
against the gentleman from Missouri.
Messrs. Vaux and Tracey interyened at this
point and sought to bring the proceedings
back to orderly progress.
Mr.. Bland did not see WHY the committee
should not proceed now TO vote upon the bin
or fix day for taking it.
This bill was In the interest OF the rich and
the corporations and opposed to the interest
OF the wage workers. He would rather sec the
democratic party in power for twenty years
under a sound policy than republican ascend
ency under a bad financial policy.
In the course of the argument Mr.. Taylor re-
tion for hearings came from his IMr. Blsnd's 81
own state.
PROMPTED By WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
Mr.. Bland replied that he knew where il
came from. 1t had been prompted by dis
patches sent from Washington.
Later on there was another sharp passage
over some reference by Mr.. Walker 10 the con-
duct Of the silver bill in the last session OF
Congress.
Mr.. Walker bluntly refused to answer ques-
tions put by Messrs. Bartine and Bland so long
as they charged him with dishonorable con-
duct.
Mr.. Bland deprecatingly explained that he
made no such charge. If the gentleman
thought (as he believed he did that free coin.
age was going to ruin the country he didn't
blame him for trying to smother the bill This
reply added to Mr.. Walkers anger and he ap-
pealeG to the chairman for protection, saying;
Before God, have no such intention as that
of smothering the bill"
The chair insisted that the gentleman should
be allowed to proceed without interruption: SC
Mr.. Walker went on again with his protest
against speedy action. advising his colleagues
to act with deliberation and get the sentiment
Of the people before acting.
Mr.. Bartine followed, calling attention to the
fact that Mr.. Walker had talked until after
11:20 o'clock. and asking to be stopped in five
minutes. He combated Mr.. Walkers state
ment that the committee had offered no op.
portunlty for hearings last year, and declared
that there had been standing invitation tc
all persons to appear. Further hearings
would prevent action by Congress upon the
bill There was a widespread suspicion that
such was the purpose of the committee. He
WOulu upon early dCtlOu or WOulQ etOp
attending the meetings.
MR.. yAUX WANTS INFORMATION.
Mr.. Vaux said that he was a new member of
the committee and asked for facts sufficient to
enable an intelligent mind to reach proper
Judgment. Given facts, not theories-be didn'i
want to hear cranks-and he would sit and hear
them. He warted to hear men who knew what
they were talking about. and when he had
heard from such men. and not before, he would
be willing to vote.
Representative Taylor said that he did not
want to take up the time of the committee, but
he did want to plead for further bearings. not
without limit, but at reasonable length. He
did not want to prevent action. He would be
willing to fix time for a vote.
Mr.. Bartine invited the gentleman to suggest
a date.
Mr.. Taylor could not do it until be knew how
many people wanted to be heard.
Mr.. Vaux remarked that he would make the
same answer.
Mr.. Vaux moved that a representative of the
st. Louis delegation be heard not later than
next Tuesday.
Pending action Mr.. Bland read a telegram
printed in the morning papers purporting to
be from Edward Atkinson urging western cities
to send delegations here to oppose free coinage.
He wanted to move next Wednesday that all
discussion on the subject close.
Mr.. Taylor resented Mr.. BANDS criticism Of
AtklusOu Nutu ue knew tndt Tue Tree COM
age men had been here for months sending out
dispatches and spending money.
MIR. Williams predicted that the bill would be
in committee March if il was decided to have
hearings without limit.
The question recurring on Mr.. vaux'e motion
Mr.. Bartine moved to amend by providing that
no further hearings be had after Tuesday and
that the committee then proceed to consider
the bill.
Mr.. Walker moved to table the amendment
Before the question was put MIR. Comstock
made few remarks in opposition to Mr.. Bar
tines motion. The motion to table was car
ried yeas 2, nays 5-the chairman voting with
the free coinage men. On the next question
the St. Louis delegation-he
voted in favor Of doing SO, and the motion pre-
8, nays 4. The committee then
adjourned until tomorrow.
TODAY'S CABINET MEETING.
Some Talk About the Matter of Filling the
Vacant Chair.