The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-27
NOT A PARTY MEASURE.
EFFECT or THE sILvER CAUCUS.
Himself Bitterly Opposed TO the
Bland Bill-His Reason Given.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Feb. 26.-lSpecial. j
The Democratic caucus OF last night re-
suited favorably in one thing. and that was
that FREQ coinage was not declared party
measure. That would have been more fatal
than the passage Of the Bland bill. Had
square vote been reached it is probable that
declaration in favor of free coinage would
haye passed, but cool-headed Democrats sue
ceeded in preventing a vote. A declaration
committing the party 70 free coinage would
have emphasized the present split so as TO
almost render Cancellation impractlcable
While il appeared that the party IS hope
lessy divided on the question. no record
in the shape Of vote was made 10
that effect The Democrats who are Oppos-
ing consideration OF free coinage at this ses-
sion are alert and determined. They are en-
deavoring by every possible means TO staye
on consideration Of the Bland bill. All the
indications are that the Committee on Rules
will yield TO the demand of the free silver
men 10 the extent Of reporting q resolution
for consideration of the Bland bill but they
Will make the date of consideration as far IN
the future as they feel it safe to 60 counter 10
the demand Of the Blandites. one difficulty
IS lack OF stamina IN the party leaders.
Speaker Crisp could settle the question to the
best interest Of the Democratic party If he
Z u
had the backbone of the late Samuel }. Kau-
dali the silver squabble would soon be termi-
mated.
AS the matter now stands when the Bland
bill comes up-if it ever d0es-Democratic
members will be at liberty 10 vote their in
! dividual convictions without any constralnt
! of party. The antisilver men still hope 10
prevent consideration of the Bland bill de-
/ spife the fact that they believe the Committee
on Rules will give it date. If finally the
bill gets before the House every means known
/ 10 parliamentary rules VIII be employed 70
prevent its passage, even 10 tillibusterlng. III
| forts will be made 20 load the Dill doWh
/ with amendments. There Is one
amendment that will be offered which
| the anti-silver members believe they can
/ have adopted with the aid OF hepuDlcah
/ votes. IL provides that pensions shall be
paid in gold if pensioners 50 desire. II Is
! thought tnat the fear of the political power
/ of the old soldiers in the North will iDipel
members Of both parties o. vote tor TINS
/ amendment, and the idea IS that should IL De
adopted Mr. Bland will be disgusted with his
own bantling.
MR. HARTEH's VIEWS.
Concerning the caucus last night on the
! silver question Mr. Harter. the anti-sllYer
leader. made the following statement to-day
! 1.-THE results of the caucus are, IN the main
gratifying 20 the enemies OF dishonest imam
cial methods. In the first place all present
]
Bland bin swindle Will disrupt the
/ Democratic party In the second place
/ our action has placed upon the
shoulders of the majority present the Tespon-
! sibihty for the consequences OF such leglsla-
! tiou 10 the paTty Men may and do dlller
i'm their judgments. My own opinion re-
mains the same as 10 has been for weeHs'
which is that no bill providing for the free
and unlimited coinage of 3ll5 grains OF silver
into full legal tender dollar Will pass the
/ House. OF course ! am counting upon
/ the active resistance of the country
at large in the shape OF letters,
/ remOnstrances, 6c.. addressed 10 the MEN,
| bers If the 9J9 people out or LOCO who VIII
be robbed and pillaged hy the Bland b.l -it
| down quietly and make no effort 10 strengthen
our arms here such bill may pass. but
| look for no such result. If passed II Will be
with a provision in il that all pensions shall
| be paid in gold: that deposltors IN
savings banks shall have the right
TO demand gold from the banks;
! that all holders Of life insurance policies shall
be entitled 20 gold payments, and that every
/ man. woman or child working for wages ~
/ who receives a yearly salary of less than
| - l5O0 shall have the right 10 payment lh
| gold. Ia this way the most deserving people
/ in the land will be protected from the conse-
| ouences of this kind of legislation. The richer
classes will protect themselves. as the
! silver ring now does in many OF the SILVER
/ States and Territories OF the far W est by max
ing debts due them payable IN nited states
gold coin. But ii the people at large, with
ont regard to calling OF political association,
will reach their representatives, here by mail
| by telegraph ana IN person. as is their right'
/ and under the present grave circumstances
/ their duty / think the passage OF any legls-
lation of this variety will be impossible. No
man here who is opposed to the degradation
of the standard value and who understands
that the law if passed will be under the whip
and through the dictation of the silver ring
md tbe lobby. but viii resist il % the end.
The time las arrived however, wnen all
classes of people should let the members ot
the Fifty second Congress know IN An unmis-
taxable way that no excuse will DO taken
next November for ignorant mlschieyous OF
dishonest tampering with the standard OF
value under the name of free coinage.