The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-04
FIFTY-SECoND CONGRESS.
A SPLIT HAS OCCURRED IN THE
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
The Democratic Leaders of the House Have
Called Caucus For This Evening
to Pass Upon the New
Code Of Rules.
THE HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-rhe Demo-
Gratis Of the House have found it nee
essary to appeal to caucus decree in
order to secure unity of action in the
adoption of rules for the government
of the proceedings of the House. 1t is
matter of some significance that the
subject of dissension in the Democratic
ranks is the clause of the proposed
code which enables the committee on
rules at any time to call up for con-
sideration the report of that commit
tee and preventing dilatory motions
being made pending such considera-
ton. To give the speaker power to
recognize and prevent dilatory mo-
tions at such particular time and not
to clothe him with like power at all
other times, seems to many Demo-
cratic members q great discrimina-
ton in favor OF the committee Of
which the speaker is ex-otficio chair
man, and whose deliberations he nat
urally directs, and the proposed rule
is most bitterly attacked by the va
rious members of the dominant party.
So little, however, was attention
paid to party lines during the debate
that one of the strongest supporters Of
the rule was James Buchanan, the
we'll known Republican representa-
tive from New Jersey.
The debate was occasiOned by
motion of Hooker of Mississippi to
strike out the clause above referred to.
1t was long and at times exciting
debate.
During the discussion Mr.. Bailey
of Texas, the youngest member of the
house, who came to Washington with
quite a reputation for oratory, took
the floor and fullyjustffied the reputa-
ton. He hasa commanding presence,
handsome, clear-cut face, powerful
voice and graceful delivery. The
greatest attention was paid his re-
marks which were addressed in advo-
cacy of Mr.. Hooker's motion. He OPP
posed the rule as reported, because it
was an essential departure from the
traditions of the Democratic party-a
departure which he was unwilling
should become law of the house, eX
cept over his respectful protest.
The American people today are
living under q surveillance
unknown to the constitution, because
they were living under a system Of
committee government. The proposed
rule gave to the majority or triumvir-
ate of the committee on rules power
to decide what affirmative action
should be taken by the entire House.
Such power ought not to be delegated,
except in cases Of absolute and press
ing necessity. The Democrats had a
majority of two-thirds. and with that
majority it could safely and properly
suspend all rules should neces-
sity require it. If the Democrats
adopted this rule, they were stopped
hereafter from criticising the Fifty
first congress and the distinguished
gentleman who presided over it's de-
alterations.
After further debate, but with out
action, the House adjourned.
During the debate several Demo
cratic leaders held an informal con-
ference and discussed the wisdom of
calling party caucus to secure unity
of action among the Democratic men,
bers. 1t was finally decided that
such course was imperative, and
Immediately after the adjournment a
caucus was announced for tomorrow
evening.
A SPLIT IN THE ALLIANCE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 29.-Jerry
Simpson, supported by the two other
Alliance congressman, Watson OF
Georgia and Otis of Kansas, has split
with the other Alliance members of
the House, and it is said the difficulty
is too serious to be healed. The roub BILE
came to a head at the meeting of the
Alliance congressman held in this city
last week, and it's result was devel-
oped by the refusal of Messrs. Simp-
son, Watson and Otis to attend
another meeting of Alliance members
last night. AT the meeting last week
there was long and bitter discussion
over the proposition that the Alliance
men in congress should agree to cast
their lot with the Democratic party.
This proposition was vigorously OPP
posed by Simpson, Watson and Otis.
| They contended that the Alliance
had progressed favorably without the
aid Of either of the two great political
parties, and advocated the third
party scheme. The report of the split
is confirmed by the above named gem
tlemen. Watson, who was the Alli-
ance candidate for the speaker of the
House, will probably be the leader of
the third party.
THE PINKERTON RESOLUTION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The anti
Pinkerton resolution introduced by
Watson of Georgia was the subject of
much discussion in the house commit
tee on judiciary this morning. The
Farmers Alliance representative
made strong argument in favor of
the resolution. Oates of Alabama ex-
pressed some doubts as to the ability
of congress to legislate upon this sub
ject, which he considered a matter
only to be regulated or suppressed by
the various state legislatures. The
members generally seemed to share
this opinion of Oates, and it is likely
the resolution of Watson will be re-
ported unfavorably.
A SILVER CAUCUS.
WASIJTNGTON Tan 0Q-Tha decraa