Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-14
SILVER BILL KILLED
IN the House by a Vote Of l54 Nays
to 1856 Yeas.
Ex.speahes Reed Lead he oppesitiea In Mis-
usual Shiiiisl naaaes.

WASHINGTON. July ls.-In the House,
the clock pointed one minute pas, II O'Clock
when Cxtehings of Mississippi, Speaker
Crisp's lieutenant on the floor, reported
from the committee on rules the resolution
| which all were expecting, to make the silver
bill a special order for today and the next
legislative day.
Ex-Spesker Reed, the representative of
his party, was on his feet the instant the
reading of the resolution had been concluded
by the clerk
Before Catehings could say word after
the reading of the resolution, Reed inter
jected TO lay the resolution on the table,
| but the Speaker would not recognize the
gentleman from Maine, ruling that Catch
ings had the floor and could not be taken
from it. When the gentleman from Maine
got the floor he could make his motion.
Reed insisted on his right to make a
motion in advance of one from Mr..
Catchings, who was in control of the reso-
luton, and disclosed the purpose Of his
motion. 1t was to kill the resolution,
and with ii the silver bill. in the quickest
time possible The House. Reed said,
should control its affairs. There were two
motions which could be made for the pur-
the motion TO lay on the table which had
the precedence, and would cut of all debate
and bring the resolution to immediate vote,
and the other was the motion for the pre-
sious question, under which an hours de-
bate was permissible. The House might
not care TO have debate and should be per
mitted to vote that way if it desired.
Speaker Crisp ruled against Reed. He
did not combat Reeds general propositions
in his ruling, bu, based his decision on the
ground that Reed could not make motion
when he did not have the floor, and could
not obtain the floor when the gentleman
from Mississippi had recognition. There
was no authority by which gentleman
could be taken OFF the floor that could be
produced.
Catching was accordingly recognized and
yielded the floor To Chairman Bland of
the free coinage committee for fifteen min
utes.
Bland offered an amendment TO the
resolution having for its object the opening
of pathway for an amendment of the
Stewart bill, to meet the alleged legal de-
fects i'll it and also TO apply TO the cloture
rule to the bill.
Catchings yielded lj minutes To Reed,
who was reluctant 10 accept the time and
sarcasticaly said he should feel Obliged if
the gentleman from Mississippi would wait
till somebody had spoken in favor of the
bill. He did not want to start with neg
atiye. He was, however, compelled to do
so, Catcbings insisting that the Republicans
should now be heard from.
Reed in his usual effectively sarcastic
stsle sincerely congratulated the Democratic
party on its attitude of repentance, remark
which launched him into the debate with
the attention of the whole House. He
said his mind was occupied by picture of
the Democratic party as minority IN the
last Congress. He remembered the an
nounccment by the distinguished gentleman
who had since become the presiding officer
of the House, Crisp, that the one thing
which the Democratic party yearns for was
free silver. He remembered how many
Democrats said how earnest and vigorous
they were for free coinage, and for a mo-
ment it actually seemed MS if they had
struck a level which might possibly be
called level of principle. But Patterson
had cleared il all up and explained the real
principle of the parry, only he had embel-
lished the principle in order to make Il
quotation. That gentleman said that the
great principle public Office" and added
that it was a public trust" declaring there
by principle and making a quotation as
we'll.
Bland closed the debate, and then Catch
ings of Mississippi moved the previous
question IN the resolution. On the roll
call the vote stood 1868 to l2a. The prev
ious question having been ordered, the reso-
luton then came mp on its adoption, The
motion to adopt the resolution was defeated {;
yeas, 1876 NAYS, i5i. This ends all posi-
blity of free silver coinage legislation at
this session. Speaker Crisp voted aye.
The Stewart bill thus remains at the foot
Dipgiey and Reed voted nay. Boutelle
was paired with Herman. Miiken was
not recorded The analysis of the vote
shows an Affirmative vote cast by Is Demo-
Gratis. including the Speaker. 10 Alliance
men and eight Republicans. The negative
vote was cast by - Democrats and 81
Republicans.
of long roll of bills.
Tracy of New York made formal
parliamentary motion to reconsider the vote
and table that motion and then the House
proceeded to other and minor business.
The House passed 81 private pension
bills and adjourned.