Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-26
DEMOCRATS CONFER.
A CAUCUS OF coNoRessMsN ON THE
SILVER QUESTION.
Result, The Matter Left Where 1t Was
Before-with the House Commit
tee on Rules.
rRr telegraph 10 the pispstch.l

lBy telegraph 70 the Dispa'cn.I
WASHINGTON. February 25.-The Demo-
cratic members of the House met IN con-
ference tonight for the purpose OF recon-
sidering tho following resolutions, which
are now published as submitted to the
caucus. having been revised since the call
was circulated by Representative Harter,
of Ohio:
"Resolrei. That we are IN favor OF the
continued use of both gold and silver as
money, but that we are unalterably op-
posed TO any legislation which will drive
either metal out of general circulation.
" Resolred, That in Justice to the Demo-
cratic party, and with due consideration
for the general business, industrial ana
financial interests of the nation, we deem
it the duty Of the Democratic members OF
the Fifty second Congress to defer any
definite action on the subject OF free
coinage until the question of its wisdom
and justice IL distinctly made IN tho cleo
tions of 1892"
The call continues: We ask you further
TO invite the Democratic members or the
Senate to this conference"
A GOOD ATrESDAsCE-oF REPRESENTATIVES,
II was wet, disagreesble night for a
caucus, or a conference, as it was called,
and members came to the Capitol rather
slowly. so that IL was 3 o'clock instead OF
1880 when Chairman Holman called the
eau us TO order. At that time many more
members had arrived and the caucus was
very we'll attended. If Mr.. Harter expect
ed that the invitation to, the Democratic
senators TO be present would be gene
rally accepted he was mistaken, for
Mr.. Butler. OF South Carolina, was
the only senator present. A number OF
the leading Democratic senators were
asked during the day If they intended TO
attend the conference. All declared that
they would not do so aud that they had
enough to occupy them with affairs on
their own side of the Capitol. The usual
rule limiting speeches in caucus TO hye
minutes was adopted, and Mr.. Harter, OF
Ohio. opened the proceedings with a
speech, In which he stated the object be
had in view when he circulated the call
for the caucus.
The QUESTION OF BEING BOUND.
In accordance with q programme which
had been outlined at a conference between
Messrs. Bland, Pierce, Lanham, Robert
son, and other earnest free-s,lyer men, the
question was put to the ants whether or
not they would agree to be bound by the
caucus proceedings.
After some little discussion II was agreed
that the conference should not be regarded
as binding upon any one. and that mem
bers should be free to vote as they chose.
In stating the object of the caucus Mr.
Harter made speech against the adylsa-
blllty OF passing tree-colnage bill.
UNcoMPRoMIsusG SILVER RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Bland then offered resolution in
structlng the Committee on Rules TO
bring IN a special order fixing March 25th
as the date on which the silver bill shall
be taken up, discussed, and kept before
the House until finally acted on. Against
this resolution Mr.. Warner, of New York,
raised point of order, claiming that un-
der the call in response TO which the MEN,
bers were present the resolution could not
be considered. The point Of order was
promptly overruled and no appeal was
taken from this decision.
| Speeches were made by Messrs. Bland,
Bryan of Nebraska, Fowler or New Jer-
sey, and Hooker OF Mississippi In favor
| Of the Bland resolution. Mr.. Williams,
| or Massachusetts,. spoke in opposition TO
| the resolution, declaring that the passage
| of free-coinage bill meant political dis
oster TO the Democratic party III the East.
Mr. Williams then appealed 70 the south
| ern members 10 stand by the eastern
| Democrats. who, he said. had stood by the
| South against an elections bill.
| fkEE bilsfks IN NEW JEAsEIs
Mr.. Fowler, of New Jersey. in his speech
| surprised many of those present by the
earnest manner in which he advocated &C
| tion on the resolution. He said the ssser
| ton that New Jersey could not be Carried
on a free-silyer plank was untrue. New
| Jersey vasa Democratic State regardless
| OF the silver question. He bad carried his
| district by an increased majority with q
| free-silver plank in the platform.
! bIr. Herbert. of Alabama. urged delay il
considering the silver questions anc
| thought that the interests of the party
would be served by not passing the silver
| bill now.
| WILL FREE SILVER HURT THE PARITY
| Mr.. Pierce, of Tennessee, answered those
who asserted that free silver would hur'
| the Democratic party. He maintained thai
| free coinage was strong with the people
and would gain the party votes. lie con
trasted the Cleveland vote IN 1884 witt
| that of 1888. With q liberal silver plank
IN 1884, Cleveland had carried New York,
| Now Jersey, and Indiana. In 1883. with 6
hostile silver plank, he had lost New
| York and Indiana. In 1884 he had
| cut down the majorities III Wisconsin
| Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa 10 small
proportions, and in 1888 had lost those
States by large majoritles. II silver bill
were passed, he asserted that the result
would be large gains for the Democrats
especially IN the West. West Virginia,
| North Carolina, and Virginia were all close
States, in which the party would stand
chance of losing the presidential election
if the peoples demand for tree-coinage
were not met.
Messrs. Wilcox of Connecticut, Lynch
of Wisconsin. English of New Jersey. anc
| Mckinney of New Hampshire, made
speeches against the Bland resolution.
THE TALK TO 40 PURPOSE.
Tho debate grew somewhat tiresome
and as il was evident that any conclusion
reached would not be binding. the mem
bers were in favor of adjournment. Mr.
| Oates, of Alabama, "a fres-colnage man
therefore moved to adjourn. lie said tna
the anti-free-cOnage men had stated tina
they would not be bound by the caucus
action. He had assurances that the Com
mittee on Rules would, II the Bland reso'
luton were not adopted, bring IN rul'
making the Bland bill a special order. lie
saw no advantage TO be gained by row
among the Democrats. 1t was evident tina
the free-coinage men were in the majority
but no good could come OF forcing vote
A split occurred among the free-colnag'
men over the motion TO adjourn, some
| fayoring caucus adoption OF the Bland re
solution. 1t was finally decided, however
to adjourn-S0 TO 50.
Mr.. Pierce started 70 insist on the yeas
and nays being called on the motion. fo
the purpose of putting those present on
record, but at the personal request OF Mr.
Bland he withdrew the motion.
THE RESULT
of the caucus seems TO be that tho silver
question is left Just about where IL was be
fore the caucus was held, the silver mel
evidently being IN a majority, but the mi
nority being unwilling to be bound bl
caucus act on. This leaves the matte
with the Rules Committee. to decid
whether or not a special order shall o'
brought in. Members OF the COMMITTEES
have assured .he silver men that such al
order will be made, and then all the mem
bers If the House are free 70 vote as thel
see fit on the adoption of the report OF th'
Rules Committee.
| THE THIRD PARTY.