Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-26
SHALL 1T BE FREE
BLAND INSISTS ON A DATE
For Is observation-disclosures oorman's
Peace Measures are Resented BY
the Silver Representatives

wAsaISsIos. Feb. e5.-Ths caucus
tonlght on the silver question has been
the one topic Of discnssson in tho house
this morning. quite overshadowlng the
regular proceedings. aud members
neglected the monosonous consldsra-
ton OF the Craig Stewart election con-
test IN order TO gather in the lobbiss
and cioak-rooms and discuss the ques-
ton ~ issue within the democratic
party. Chairman Bland. Pierce of
Tennessee and other irreconcilabie ad
vosates of free coinage INSIST that ''no
backward step" must be taken at the
democratic caucus tonight, but that .
resolution must be adopted declaring
that the Bland free coinage bill mnet
be considered this session. and that the
committee on rules sBust he requested
10 name . date for It's discusslon.
While Mr.. Bland dlsclaims any desire
20 antagonize the various tariff meas
ures pending in the house which
will probably he taken up
next week, ne insists that assurances
that definite day will be set for the
consideration of the free-silver coinage
bill must be gwen before his committee.
and the free-silysr men Of the house
will consent that any other party legis-
lation shall be taken up.
Gorman's Olive Branch.
The frat olive branch Was rendered
20 the silver men By Senator German
of Maryland, this morning. but 1t was
not received IN spirit 10 give hope to
the eastern democrats. Senator Cor
man came over to the house and asked
.A n -. L. -
to the appointment of q joint caucus
committee by the democratic repre-
sentatives and senators, which should
conTcl party measures of legislation
during the present session, and decid5
winch bills should have prece-
dence. Mr.. Bland rejected this
suggestion almost with indignation.
He declared thai nothing would satisfy
the free coinage men of the house but
the passage OF the free coinage bill,
and that, too, at an early day. He
served notice, 90 70 speak. on Mr.. Cor
man and the eastern democracts that
no postponement or daIlying with the
question would be permitted by the
free-colnage men. He insisted that the
issue muss be met, and that, 90 far as
the house is concerned. = free coinage
bill must be passed. Particular stress
was laid upon the intention Of the free
silver people in the house to pass . bill
regardless OF the sentiments OF the
democratic senators, and Mr.. Bland
asserted that no JOINT caucus or joint
committee would be allowed to ex-
ercise any dlctat.on whatever in the
matter.
RsseIusien OF Necessity.
II IL the intention Of the free coinage
men TO propose resolution in the cau-
cus Of democratio representatives, de-
claring that the house must pass free
coinage bill this session and naming a
date fer its consideration. Lively 0p-
position will be made TO any PROPOSE
ton by MIR. Harter or his friends that
the senators be given voice in to-
nights caucus. A number of the dem-
ocrxtic advocates of free coinage are
absent from the city, but Mr.. Bland
and hrs friends feel confident that they
have sufficient strength to control the
result of tonigh'ts caucus.
The opponents of Mr.. Bland and his
colleagues are preparing = counter
proposition, which tncy will present,
and upon which the hattie will be
fought. This proposition will name
date, or instruct the committee on rules
To- make date, upon which the free
coinage bill shall he taken mp for dis
cussion and shall be tho only subject
of discussion for one week or longer.
At the expiration Of that time, how
ever, it shall be understood that
n motion for postponement OF fual
action ehall be IN order and
that no vote shall be taken on the
Bland bill until December 80, after the
presidential election. This program,
they contend, would enable all the
free coinage men to declare their
position in the house and use their
speeches next fall for whatever practi-
cal effect they might have IN their
respective districts. Al the same time
the democrats ~ . party would be
spared the necessity of recording them
selves upon this precarious issue until
after the general elections, whom the
Bland bill could be taken up and con-
sdered without regard to its political
effecf on the parfics