St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-07-14
Stewards Measure Beaten
After a Comparatively
Tame Fight.
Several Votes Counted on by
Silver Men Found on
the Other Side.
Crowded Galleries Listen to
the Debate, and T. Reed
Talks to Them.


was more show of activity and livelier
interest in proceedings in the house this
morning than there has been for three
or four months. Both sides were ready
for the battle of the dollars, but both
were anxious. The silver men entered
the fight without much hope, while the
others were full of hope and energy.
The poll made by MIR. Rayner and other
anti-silver men, just before the fight be-
gan, showed the following result:
Number of members. 332; number
paired or dead. 81. leaving SOL. Num-
Der OF anti-silver Democrats, 9S; num-
ber of anti-silveI Republicans, 63, max
ing total anti-silver votes 16l, with a
possibility of but 14O silver votes, ac-
cording to this calculation. In spite of
this showing, the anti-silver men were
afraid something might happen to upset
their calculations.
The attendance in the house was
larger than it has been at any time
since the early part Of the session.
Nearly all the absentees had been
brought in by urgent dispatches, and
up to the last minute the committees
appointed on each side were rustling
through the house bracing up members
they feared would be weak and looking
about to see that none whose votes were
counted in were absent.
Republicans Alert for Honors.
The attitude of the Republicans in
taking the lead of the opposition to the
measure was not without its disad-
vantages from the standpoint of the
Eastern Democrats, who did not like the
idea of having some of the greatest
honorS of the fight shared in, or per-
haps appropriated. by MIR. Reed and
Mr.. Burrows in behalf of the Repub-
lican party. This could not be helped.
however, as the Republicans were in a
position to dictate. the terms under
which they would come to the front
from the first and fight against the ma
jority of tho Democrats.
There was an unusual hustle on the
floor, and Col. Ike Hill, the deputy SER
: >geant-at-arms, who had charge of the
pairs and of securing the attendance of
the absentees, was ubiquitous. He was
buttonholed here, there and every
where; he was piled with questions and
besought for information. All during
the morning Mr.. Tracey Mr.. Raynor, Mr..
O'Neil. (Mass.), Mr.. Williams (Mass.)
and Mr.. Herbert were flying here and
there through the house, looking busy
and excited even after their work was
about done.
Mr.. Reed and Mr.. Burrows kept their
eyes on things. and now and then gave
the anti silver Democrats points to
work out. Mr.. Tracey, as in the
silver fight earlier in the session, kept
close to Mr.. Reed. comforting with him
earnestly every few minutes.
Mr.. Bland, Mr.. Pierce. Mr.. Culber-
Son and MIR. Montgomery and the rest
OF the silver men had repeated confer
ences with groups of members through
out the house.
Opening the Fight.
About ten bills were passed, and then
Mr.. CatchingS called up the resolution
from the committee Oh rules setting
apart today and tomorrow for consider
alton of the silver bill. The resolution
was read, and Mr.. Catchings at once de-
manded the previous question OH the
adoption of the resolution.
Mr.. Reed claimed he had right to
move to lay the resolution OIL the table
before the previous question was put
The house should have control of its
own affairs and he certainly had a right
to make such a motion.
The speaker said the previous ques-
ton would cut off debate under the
rules. but he had never heard it sug-
gested to demand the previous question
until entitled to the floor. The gentle
man from Maine could not take the
gentleman from Mississippi off the floor
and could only obtain it if the latter
should yield it to him.
Mr.. Catchings inquired if lie had a
right to portion out his time. The
speaker replied affirmativeiy.
Mr.. Catchings having yielded to Mr..
Bland. the discussion began. Mr.. Bland
sent to the desk and had read an amend
| ment to the resolution. which provided
fore 2 o'clock tomorrow the previous
question shall be considered ordered on
the amendments that may be pending
OH the bill on its engrossment, third
reading and final passage, and there
after no dilatory motions shall be enter
tanned by the speaker until the bill shall
be finally disposed of. Speaking to the
amendment, Mr.. Bland referred to
The CIOture Rule.
which he said some members we're
afraid of. yet for the last fifty years
cloture rules had been prevalent. Every
second Monday in the house this rule
prevailed when bills were passed under
suspension by a twO-thirdS vote. The
minority could filibuster against any
measure successfully without cloture
rule. There is no way to get vote on
the final passage with such rule.
Mr.. Bartine, Nevada, said the free
coinage of silver was with him para
mount to the success of any political
| party. For the reasons advanced by Mr.
| Bland he should vote against sustaining
| the previous question OIL this resolution,
| for under its terms he did not believe it
possible to reach a vote. and direct
| vote was what he wanted to reach.
| Mr.. Clark threw bombshell into the
| free silver camp by opposing the passage
! Of the bill, Even if it passed the presi-
dent would veto it, he said, and this
would be giving him club with which
to lnjure the DeMQeratic party.
Mr.. Forman, Democrat, Illinois. fol-
! lowed with a similar speech, and said
| that no great good could come from the
passage of the bill. The platform is
against it. and now the only course for
| the Democrats to take is that of the con-
| 1ention, to lead to its success next fall.
Surprising the Siiverites.
Mr.. Patterson also surprised the free
silver men by speaking against the bill.
| The Democratic party, he said, stood to-