The morning call., 1892-02-26
THE CAUCUS UNSUCCESSFUL.
No Agreement Reached al The Democratic
Silver Conference.
EASTERN MEN PREDICTING DISASTER.
The Committee on Rules 10 Fix Date
for the Special Order on The
Bland Coinage Bill.
EASTERN MEN PREDICTING DISASTER.
Special to The MoRNfNs CALL

WASHINGTON, Feb 25.-The result OF the
Democratic caucus tonight, called by Har-
ter and other anti-SilYer men, seems to be
lhat the silver question is about where it
was before the caucus. The free-silver men
are evidently in the majority, but the mi
horlty Is unwilling to be bound by caucus
action. a resolution submitted to the eau
Gus by the anti-slIYer men declared in favor
OF the continued use of gold and silver as
money and the unalterable opposition to
any legislation which would drive either
metal out of general circulation; further,
that justice to the Democratic party and
with due consideration for the general
business, Industrial aud financial interests
OF the nation, sit is deemed the duty of the
Democratic members of Congress to defer
definite action on the subject of free coinage
until the question of its wisdom and justice
is distinctly made in the elections of 1892"
Although the Democratic Senators were
invited to attend the conference Butler of
south Carolina was the only one who came.
Caucus Convened.
The proceedings opened with a speech by
Harter, in accordance with the programme.
The fTee-silyer men then put the question
TO the anti-silver men whether or not they
would agree to be bound by the caucus pro-
ceedngs. After some discussion it was
agreed by the conference that they should
be free to vote as they chose. Bland
offered a resolution instructing the Com
mittee on Rules to bring In a special order
fixing March % as the date the silver bill be
taken up.
Warner Of New York raised a point Of
order, but was overruled. Bland, Bryan.
Fowler and Hooker spoke in favor of the
resolution.
Williams of Massachusetts, opposed it,
predicting disaster to the Democrats in the
East
Fowler of New Jersey 10 advocating the
resolution said the assertion that New Jer-
sey could not be carried 0n a free-slyer
platform is not true. New Jersey is a
Democratic State regardless Of the silver
question.
No Result Reached.
Herbert Of Alabama urged delay and
thought the interests of the party would be
served by not passing the bill now.
Pierce OF Tennessee maintained that free
coinage was strong with the people and
would gain the party votes. West Virginia,
North Carolina aud Virginia were close
States, in which the party would stand
chance OF losing the Presidential election If
tue peoples demand for Tree coinage was
not met.
~ htGbA VI OtuutGllCuts lLA uCu VI w ISCOu-
sin, English OF \ ew jersey and Mckinney
of New Hampshire spoke against the bill
and the resolution, The debate grew tire
some, and Oates of Alabama said he had
assurances that the Committee on Rules
would, If the Bland resolution were not
adopted, bring in a rule making the Bland
bill a special order. He saw no advantage
In row among Democrats.
The caucus finally adjourned. and this
leaves the matter with the Rules Committee
to decide whether or not special order Will
be brought Ia.
The Pension Investigation.
The special committee appointed to In
veStigate tie management of the Pension
Office under Raum began the task to-day
Representative Enoe, who, with Repre-
sentative Cooper of Indiana, is conducting
the prosecution. offered in evidence certain
parts of the record in the investigation of
the late Congress relating TO appointments
and promotions in the pension offices.
The committee summoned Secretary
Noble, but as the Secretary could not to-day
gpt in order certain papers he desired TO have
with him, the committee adjourned until to-
morrow.
Raiu-MakIng Experiments.
Secretary Rusk to-day, in answer to a
Senate resolution, communicated to the Sem
ate a report Of the Special Agent of the
Department of Agriculture upon the rain
experiments Of General DyrenfO rth, who is
in charge of the experiments. In summing
up their results, he says The few ex-
perments made do not furnish enough data
from which TO form definite conclusions or
evidence on which to uphold or condemn
the theories of artificial production or in
crease of rainfall by conclusion. What has
been done so far is merely preliminary, but,
with the benefit of experience gained, l
hope the subject will be pursued"
The House judiciary Committee has or
dered a favorable report on the bill pro
hibiting the desecration of the national