The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-12
SILVER MEN GIVING IN.
THEY ARE TO PERMIT AMEND
MRNTS TOBE OFFsRHD.


Erhrough Before Adjournment - A
Caucus Held BY Friends of Free
Coinage.
WASHINGTON July 1.-The free silver
men confessed their weakness tonight when
at their caucus they agreed TO amend the
Stewart free silver bill so that it will be
somewhere near correct legally. This means
that they have given up the hope OF passing
the Stewart bill, for by agreeing to an
amendment they agree to let the bill go back
to the Senate again. which would be the end
of 10 for this session. The free silver men
are evidently picking out a soft place TO
land when they fall. Mr.. Culberson of
Texas, for whose legal abilities and
Judgment everybody has the profoundest
regard, who had steadily insisted that the
Stewart bill was imperfect and ambiguous,
carried the caucus with him, aud after his
speech. showing up some Of the bad points
OF the bill, 1t was agreed that there should
be an amendment offered to correct tho
mistake. Mr.. Bowers Of California and Mr..
Clark Of Wyoming (republicansl were pres
ent at tho caucus, the call for which was
addressed to "The friends Of silver, irrs-
spective Of party"
There were about fifty or sixty democrats
present. Mr.. Dockery of Missouri was in
the chair.
BLAND's ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Bland Immediately took this floor and
made an argument in favor of the
bill. In the course Of this argument he said
that the anti-slver men would take every
possible method to obstruot silver legisla-
tion and cautioned the friends OF silver to
be on their guard. Mr.. Culbersop, chair
man Of the committee on the judiciary,
argued that the Stewart bill
was largely defective, and his speech was
listened to with marked attention. He was
ably seconded by Mr. Terry Of Arkansas,
who spoke in the same vein. After further
debate the caucus agreed to recommend
that the bill be amended in two perticu-
lars; first, by providing that it shall not af
feet the legal tender quality of the treasury
notes issued under the act OF 1890, or the
obligations of the treasury to redeem them;
aud, second. that the authority given to
coin the bullion now in the treasury shall
not interfere with the coinage of silver
when presented by private parties. The
following committees we're appointed and
the caucus adjourned:
On Parliamentary Prooesdings-Me
Bland and Williams Of Illinois, Pierce, Bar
tine and Culberson.
Committee to Summon Absences
Messrs. Pierce. Bryan, Robertson. DUNCAN
and Clarke.
TIE CHEF TOPIC OF THE DAY.
BIZ the associated Press.
WASHINGTON, July 1l.-Though not for
mally before the House for consideration
the silver question is really the paramount
subjec OF discussion In the House.
This discussion, however, is being carried
on privately, and IL Ia confined mainly to
members of the dominant party. The
leaders Of the silver men, as we'll as those Of
the antisilver men, are not making public
with that freedom which has heretofore
characterized them the steps that will be
taken to secure victory for their
respective sides. 1t is evident,
however, from tho amount of telegraphing
in progress that when the silver bill is
called up Wednesday, nearly every demo
cratic member of the House will be found in
his seat ready to cast his vote. The free
silver men, while not openly communicative
as to numbers, still maintain that IL a vote
is reached on the merits of the bill IL will
be carried by a safe majority, though it is
apparent that they fear that filibustsring
on the other side will prevent its reaching a
direct vote unless the rules committee brings
in rule to force vote. Their method of
procedure has not been decided upon, but 1t
is the intention OF the friends of the bill TO
have a conference in the hall of the House
this evening.
WOhA VI Iub OFFOplIlOhs
The anti-free silver democrats are not
losing any time in their campaign Of oppo-
sition to the bill They have two organ
lied committees actively engaged In doing
what they can 10 create sentiment against
the bill aud 70 devise plans Of parliament
sry procedure. Their principal efforts
are now directed toward getting the active
aud united support Of the seventy-four
anti-free silver republicans One of the
anti-free silver democrats said recently
they were entirely willing to let the repub-
licans have what credit would result from
their indispensable assistance In defeating
the bill.
MEETING OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.
Three members of the rules committee
two democrats and one republican-met
this morning and considered the rule agreed
upon Saturday by the majority of the COM
Inittee providing for consideration of the
silver bill on Wednesday and the next legis-
latiye day. No formal vote was taken on
the rule, but it was the tacit understanding
that the proposed rule should be reported
favorably. 1t may be, however. that an
other meeting will he necessary TO obtain
formal vote on the rule before it is pre-
sented Wednesday. Mr.. McMillin, demo-
crat, and Mr. Reed, republican, were absent
from the meeting to-day.
The committee appointed by the anti
silver democrats 10 determine the method
TO be pursued In order to defeat the free
silver bill will meet tomorrow. Whether
the meeting will be held in the forenoon or
the afternoon has not yet been decided
upon.