The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-30
DEMOCRATS FALL OUT
Radical Difference Of Opinion
on the New Rules
THE TARIFF POLICY OUTLINED.
Call for . Silver Caucus Issued, but the
Members WIZ Not Consider Them
selves Bound by It's Decision.

WASHINGTON CRY. Jan. 29-The Demo
Gratis of the House found il nee essary to-
day to appeal to caucus decree in order
70 secure unity of action in adoption of
rules. Ii is matter of some significance
that the subject of the discussion in the
Democratic ranks is that clause of the pro-
posed code which enables the committee
on rules at any time to call up for con-
sideration the report of that committee
and preventing dilatory motions being
made pending such consideration. To
give the speaker power to recognize
members and prevent dilatory mo-
ton at such particular time and
not clothe him with like power at all other
times seems to many Democratic members
great discrimination in favor of the COM
mittee of which the speaker is e1-oficio
chairman, and whose deliberations he
naturally directs, and the proposed rule
was most bitterly attacked by various
members ofthe dominant party. So little,
however, was the attention paid to party
lines during the debate that one of the
strongest supporters OF the rule was Hon.
James Buchanan, q well-known Repub-
hcan representative from New Jersey.
The pending amendment was that with
drawing from the jurisdiction OF the APP
preparation committee the appropriation
for the support of the District of Columbia.
After considerable debate an amendment
was rejected to take from the committee
on rivers and harbors jurisdiction over APP
propriations for the improvement Of the
Mississippi river.
Late in the afternoon political debate
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
Lanham of Texas had Withdrawn his
amendment giving the committee on coin
age leave to report at any time, on the as
surance of the gentleman from Missouri
tMr. Bland) that it was unnecessary.
There seemed to be some misunderstand-
ing, however, and he wished to call the
attention of the gentleman from Illinois to
the matter.
Springer-I did not make the statement that
this House would not pass free coinage bill.
said free coinage bill would not become
law because your president would veto it.
Hooker of Mississippi moved to strike
from the rules the provision making 1t
always in order to call up for considera-
ton report from the committee on rules,
and preventing dilatory motions being
made pending such consideration.
Springer earnestly opposed the motion,
and gave hearty approval to the rule.
Bailey of Texas, the youngest member
of the House, and who came to Washing
ton City with quite reputation for ora
tory, then took the floor, and he fully
justified his reputation. The greatest at
tention was paid to his remarks, which
were directed to the advocacy of
Hooker's motion. He opposed the
rule. The American people were today
living under surveillance unknown to the
constitution, because they were living
under a system of com mittee government.
The proposed rules gave majority 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 case of absolute and
pressing necessity. If the Democrats
adopted this rule they were stopped here
after from criticising the Fifty-frst con-
gress and the distinguished gentleman
who presided over it's deliberations. lap
plause on the Republican side.]
Oates of Alabama offered an amendment
providing for the appointment of q com.
mittee on order of business, to consist of
fifteen members (ten Democrats and five
opposition), which shall have leave to re-
port at any time, and Of which the speaker
shall be ex officio chairman.
Cochran of New York said if the major
ity could not absolutely control repre-
sentative body, then parliamentary insti-
buttons were without excuse for their
existence.
After further debate, but without action,
the House adjourned until tomorrow.
During the debate on the contested rule
several Democratic leaders held an in
formal conference, and discussed the wis
dom Of calling party caucus to secure
unity of action among Democratic men,
hers. 1t was decided that such course
was imperative, and a caucus was an
nounced for tomorrow evening.