Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-03
THE SILVER CAUCUS.
There Was Plenty of Talk. But Mo
Agreement Was Reached.
The Silver Men We're in the Majority.
But They Could Not Bind Their OPP
nanenia Tn IInliold a Gauctts nacisinu

Inc SILVER Men We're In the Majority,
But They Could Not Bind Their op-
ponents to Uphold a Caucus Decision.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The Demo-
cratic caucus called to consider the silver
question, adjourned tonight, after
session of three hours, without reaching
conclusion, except to demonstrate that
the silver men were in the majority.
The call for the caucus was issued at
the instance of the anti-silver men and
those silver men who believed that the
best interests Of the party are TO post
pone any action whatever on silver at
this session. They cared not how this
object was accomplished, and were
willing to concede, If necessary, con-
sideration of the silver bill in the House
If commitment of the party by vote
could be avoided.
The split in the party on this question
was so wide and so pronounced that
many of the Democratic leaders coun-
seled this course. The friends of Mr..
Cleveland took this attitude and in their
position they were, to q certain extent,
| supported by both Senator Hill and
Senator German. Mr.. Harter's call,
therefore, was to specifically consider
two resolutions, one declaring for the
use of both gold and silver as money
metals and the second postponing action
| at this time.
| There were 1853 Democrats in attend
ance at the caucus. AS soon as it met
il was apparent that the silver men pro-
posed to force the fighting Silver
Dollar Bland sprang resolution in
structing the Democratic members of
the committee on rules to fix March 25th
| for the consideration of the silver bill.
MIR. Harter, George Fred Williams and
the other anti-silyer men opposed this
as not being within the scope Of the
purpose for which the caucus was
called, but Judge Holman, chairman OF
the caucus, overruled the point Of order
first blood. Judge Holman's ruling
gave them free swing, and the ants
fastened to stand from under. They
saw that the silver men were clearly in
the majority, and they declared that il
any such action was taken they would
not abide by the decision of the caucus
This necessarily estopped further pro.
ceedings, as after these declarations
action by the caucus would bind no one
SOME LIVELY DEBATING.
The rest of the session was devoted
simply to rather heated exchange Of
views as to the ACCESSIBILITY of passing a
silver bill in the face of the coming
Presidential election. The pro-silyei
men commended that they could moi
now shirk the question, and the anti:
warned their colleagues of the danger Of
passing free silver bill in the eastern
states. Many wild things were said on
both sides. At II o'clock it was evident
that further discussion was profitles.
and the CAUCUS adjourned without hay
ing reached any agreement except tc
demonstrate on a test vote that th,
friends of silver in the caucus were il
a majority Of sc to So.
The result Of the caucus is a distinct
victory for the silver men, and Leaves
the question in practically the same con
dition which 1t has been. The silver
men are in the majority, and Speaker
Crisp and Mr. McNlillin, the twoDemo
cratic members of the committee OF
rules, irrespective of their persona
views, will no doubt feel bound to brinL
in an order for the consideration of thu
Bland bill. The tariff will be given the
right Of way The debate on that sub
ject will begin next week, and, as sooI
as one or two of the tariff bills are dis
posed Of, the order for the considera
ton of the silver bill will be brought in