The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-26
FREE SILVER DEFEATED.
The Democratic Caucus Refuses to Set
Apart Time for the Continuous
Hearing Of the Bland Bill.

W.sHISGToS, d. c.. Feb. 25.-The unusual
interest manifested IN tho silver question as
a party issue WAS evidenced tonight by tho
large attendance Of Democratic members Of
the House who attended the caucus of tho
majority. which took place in the hall Of the
House tonight. OF tho 2J6 Democratic men,
bers of the lower House, fully $50 were pres
ent. The Democratic senators had also been
invited t. attend. but Senator Butler. ot
South Carolina, was the single representative
Of his party colleagues.
The caucus. or meeting az IL was termed
in the call for the assembly. was called to
order at o'clock by Mr.. Holman. of Indiana.
the permanent chairman OF Democratic cons
ferences and after the call had been read,
Mr. Bland submitted n substitute resolution,
providing that the Democratic members OF
the Committee on Rules be instructed to bring
IN resolution setting apart time
not later than March 18th tor the continuous
consideration Of the Bland Free Coinage bill
until final action.
The call for the caucus stated that IL was
for the purpose Of considering two resolu-
tions. stating that Democratic members were
IN favor Of the continued use OF gold and
silver as money and opposed 70 any legisJa-
ton which would drive other metal out OF
circulation, and that tho Democratic mem
bers. with due consideration for the general
business OF the country. deemed IL their duty
10 defer any definite action on the subject OF
free coinage until after the election Of 1892.
MR.. HARTEB RAISES POINT.
Mr.. Harter, of Ohio. who circulated the
petition for the caucus, Immediately raised q
point of order against Dir. Bands resolution
on the ground that only the resolution TO dis
cuss for which the caucus was called could
be considered. lie urged his fellow men,
bers not to take any hasty action on SO I'M
portant matter. one OF such vital interest TO
the party and hoped that the Bland resolu-
ton would not be permitted to have prece-
dence.
Chairman Holman overruled Hr. Har-
ter's point Of order, holding that anything
connected with the silver question was ad-
missible
Mr.. Warner Of New York. then raised an-
other point Of order against the Bland resolu-
ton. He held that it was not germane to the
purpose for which the caucus was called.
Mr.. Holman expressed q desire 10 hear de-
bate on the point of order. and Mr.. Bland
was recognized after the caucus had decided
TO limit time Of speakers 20 five minutes each.
Mr. Bland contended that his resolution was
perfectly proper and should be put 10 fair
vote The members were there. he said. %
do what the majority thought 10 be best for
the party. and he hoped the resolution would
lie adopted. The point of order was over
ruled and no appeal was taken from the
decision.
The discussion then took the form Of
general debate on the silver question. the
good Of the party being the burden of tho
large number Of speeches made.
BLAND cRTicIsEs HARrER.
Mr. Bland INDUCED in some criticism of
Mr. Harte 3 course, in endcayOrng 20 side
track tho Free Coinage bill, and urged the
adoption OF MS resolution Of instruction 70
the Committee on Rules.
Speeches were also made by Messrs. Bryan
OF Nebraska. Fowler OF New Jersey. and
Hooker OF Mississippi, in favor OF Mr. BANDS
resolution.
Alr. Pierce. Of Tennessee made a strong
appeal from political standpoint IN favor Of
tho resolution. lie cOutended that Mr. Clcye-
land was elected President when he had lib
eral silver plank in his PLATFORM while IN 1883.
when he ran IN opposition % tree coinage. he
was defeated. Air. Fowler c0ntended that
New Jersey would bee stronger o. the Demo
cracy with q tree silver plank in the next
national platform and If such plank was
inserted the state would 90 Democratic 10y an
increased majority
slr. Williams. of Massachusetts,. q member
of the Committee on Coinage. Weights and
Measures led the assault on the resolution.
contendng that the passage OF free coinage
bill meant political disaster 10 tho Demo
cratic party in the East.
Messrs. Wilcox OF Connecticut. Herbert Of
Alabama Mckinney of New Hampshire and
English of Now Jersey supported Mr.. vii
hams in his stand. Most OF the speeches of
the anti.free coinage men were protests
against the Free Coinage bill based on the
belief that it would cause disruption in the
party and bring gnominious defeat in the
next general election. Several Of the ants
stated that they would not be bound by any
action the caucus might take in the matter.
so RESULT REACHED.
This discussion continued for nearly two
hours and then Mr. Oates, of Alabama OBJ
tanning recognition. said 1t was obvious that
the free coinage men were IN the majority.
but no result could be had because the ants
would not be bound by caucus action. lie
therefore moved the caucus adjourn.
The question was put. and Mr.. Pierce. Of
Tennessee Mr. Bland's principal lieutenant
in tho Coinage Committee, called for the
yeas and nays. bat also Immediately with
drew il. A standing ballot was then taken
and the caucus al 0urned sine die by vote
of 30 10 So many free coinage men voting for
the adjournment.