The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-11
THE BIG BATTLE BEGUN.
Democrats Who Will Try to Beat
the Silver Bill.
THE COINAGE MEN CONFIDENT,
Bland and Dingley Made Their First
Move Yesterday The Ways and Means
Committee Fighting over woolen Du-
ties-Congressmen Going To Chicago.

WAsHrNGToN, Feb. lit is the opin-
ION OF many well-informed members that
lively fight is in prospect in the House
over the silver question. The anti-fre
coinage Democrats are as strongly OPP
posed as ever TO the consideration of the
silver bill, and will do all in their power
to defeat il by any means at their COM
mand.
An effort viii be made to delay its con-
sideration as long as possible, but it is re-
allied that it must come before the House
before very great while. When it does
come up, unless the question can be set
tied by the substitution for the bill of an
international monetary conference or
some other measure that will fall short of
accomplishing the objects OF the Bland
hill. il is probable that a tilibustering
fight will be made on it under the lead of
the New England and New York Demo-
erats aided by scattering outside support.
IL ig thought by some of them that the
free coinage bill may be beaten. The
free coinage men, however, are confident
of their strength and ability to make a
winning fight. There is very strong
feeling In favor of the speedy disposition
OF the silver question.
The first move in the fight came yester-
day when Mr. Bland moved that the bill
be placed on the calendar This motion
was opposed by Mr.. Dingley, who wanted
the bill TO 90 TO the committee OF the
whole, where more time would be taken
TO reach it than If it was placed on the
calendar. In committee OF the whole it
would be necessary TO move to set aside
each bin havin < precedence OF the silver
bill in order to get at il, and parliament
tary tactics might be advantageously
worked i'm the interest of delay. The
Speaker, after consultation with his asso-
ciates on the rules committee, and an ex-
animation OF precedents, concluded, how
ever, that the bill properly should 60 on
the calendar and by his direction that
was done, thus gaining the preliminary
skirmish for the silver men. There are
only a few billso on the the calendar and
il would not take great deal of time for
the silver bill to be regularly reached.
During the afternoon Mr.. Bland intro
duced resolution making the bill the
special order Immediately after the read
ing of the Journal on Wedney@ay, Feb.
II, and directing consideration thereof to
be continued from day to day until dis
posed Of The resolution was referred to
the rules committee.
The coinage committee will soon be
called under the rules OF the House and
then IL deemed advisable, Mr.. Bland may
move in the House to have special day
fixed for the silver bill and thus precip-
itate the question. IL is the intention OF
the majority of the committee to give
fair and reasonable time for debate and
not to call the bill up until members have
had an opportunity to get ready, but
they intend to insist on consideration
within reasonable time and until a con-
clusion is reached.
Mr.. Bland has his reports on the bill in
such shape that he can submit il today,
but will probably await the preparation
Of the minority report.