Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-30
A Caucus Called to Secure
Unity of Action.
The Silver Question Also to Be APP
pealed to Caucus.
spzinser's Tariff Policy Unanimously
endorsed by the Ways and Means
Committee-Other Doings
at the Capital.
a.zociated Press Dispatches.

secure unity of action in the adoption
of rules. 1t is matter of some signifi-
Eanee that the subject of dissension in
the Democratic ranks is that clause of
ahe proposed code which enables the
committee on rules at any time to call
MP for consideration the report of that
committee, and preventing dilatory
motions being made pending such con-
sideration. To give the speaker power to
recognize and prevent dilatory mo-
fion at such particular time, and not
rlothe him with like power at all other
times. seems to many Democratic mem
bers great discrimination in favor of
the committee of which the speaker is
ex-officio chairman, and whose delibera-
tions he naturally directs, and the pro-
posed rule was most bitterly attacked
by various members of the dominant
party. So little, however, WAS the at
fention paid to party lines during the
debate, that one of the strongest sup
porters of the rule was Hon. James G..
Buchanan, well-known Republican
representative from New jersey.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
The house this morning proceeded to
further consideration of the report Of
the committee on rules, the pending
amendment being the withdrawing
from the jurisdiction of the appropria-
lions committee, appropriations for the
support of the District of Columbia.
After considerable debate the amend
ment was rejected.
An amendment was also rejected to
lake from the committee on rivers and
harbors jurisdiction over appropriations
for the improvement of the Mississippi
river.
Later in the afternoon political de-
bate was started, during which Dingley
of Maine referred to Springer's silver
speech in New York city, and charged
Springer with having said that this
house would not pass free silver bill.
He also understood that Lanham OF
Texas had withdrawn his amendment
giving the committee on coinage leave
to report at any time, on the assurance
of the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Bland) that it was unnecessary. There
Beemed to be some misunderstanding,
however, and he wished to call the at
tention of the gentleman from Illinois
10 the matter.
Springer--I did not make the state
ment that this house would not pass
free coinage bill. said free coinage
hill would not become law, because
your president would veto it.
AN OBJECTIONABLE RULE.
Hooker, of Mississippi, moved to
strike from the rules the provision MAX
ing it always in order to call up for con-
sideration report from the committee
ON rules, and preventing dilatory mo-
tions being made pending such consid-
grafton.
Springer earnestly opposed the mo-
ton and gave hearty approval to the
rule. Bailey, of Texas, the youngest
member of the house, and who came to
Washington with quite reputation for
Dratory, then took the floor and he fully
justified his reputation. The greatest
attention was paid to his remarks which
were directed in advocacy OF Hooker's
motion. He opposed the rule. The
American people were today living un-
der a surveillance unknown to the
constitution. because they were liv-
ing under a system of committee
government. The proposed rules gave
to the majority of the committee the
power to decideswhat affirmative action
shall be taken by the entire house.
Such power ought not to be delegated.
except in cases of absolute and pressing
necessity. If the Democrats adopted
this rule, they were stopped hereafter
from criticising the fifty-frst congress
and the distinguished gentleman who
presided over its deliberations. ZAP
piauae on the Republican side.I
- L. l>os off n
nent providing for the appointment of
4 committee on order OF business, to
consist of fifteen members, (ten Demo-
Gratis and five opposition), which shall
have leave to report at any time, and
rf which the speaker shall be ex-officio
chairman.
Cochran of New York said II the ma
iprity could not absolutely control rep
resentative body, then parliamentary
institutions were without excuse for
their existence.
After further debate, but without ac-
zion, the house adjourned until tomor-
row.
CAUCUS CALLED.
During the debate on the contested
xuze, several Democratic leaders held an
informal conference and discussed the
wisdom of calling party caucus to Sc
xnre unity of action among the Demo-
crafic members. 1t was decided that
such q course was imperative, and a
caucus was announced for tomorrow
Hyening.
A SILVER CAUCUS.
Enough signatures have been secured
to enable Chairman Holman to call a
caucus of the Democratic members of
the house next Friday evening to settle
mon what action shall be taken in re
gard to silver legislation.
Talk with number of Democrats,
however, indicates that q caucus deter
1n7nation on the silver question would
have less binding force than on almost
nny other question. A call was cir
eulated by the antis, and number of
4nee coinage Democrats said they did
ret believe the antis would abide by
47ecision favorable to free silver, and
hat q great many men, both for and
AGAINST silver, would refuse to 60 into
tie caucus unless assured that it would
not be- regarded as binding.
aDrrw Onax NT1TTRM