The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-14
House of Representative.


Not since the Silver bill was under consid-
| Grafton last April has the House Of RepTesen-
| tattyes contained 80 many members as were
| present TINS morning. Even before the
House assembled there was largely more than
a quorum present and the members were en-
| gagged IN discussing the probable result OF the
silver battle. Although the day was hot the
attendance in the galleries was conspicu-
Ously large. A number OF private pension
Dllis which had been considered in Committee
| OF the Whole last night WAS passed after
| which Nr. Catchings (Dem. Miss called up
the resoutioni from the Committee on Rules
setting apart to-day and tomorrow for thee
consideration Of the Silver bill and demsnded
the previous question on its adoption.
Mr. Reed (kep., Me- claimed that be had
| night to move 10 lay the resolution on the
| table before the previous question was put.
| The Speaker said the gentleman from Maine
| could not take the gentleman from Mississippi
| OIL tho floor and oould only obtain II II the
latter should yield it 10 him.
hlr. Catchings inquired If he had right TO
| portion out bis time.
| The Speaker replied affirmatiyely.
Mr. Catchings having yielded to Mr.. Bland
| Dem, No the discussion began
Alr. Bland sent to the desk and had read an
| amendment 20 the resolution, which provided
/ that IN the event the latter was adopted and
unless the bill was disposed OF before
| o'clock tomorrow the previous question shall
| be considered ordered on the amendments
| that may be pending on the bill on its Gu
! grossment. third reading and final passage,
| and thereafter no dilatOry motion shall be
! entertained by the Speaker until the bill shall
| DO finally disposed Of. Speaking 10 the
amendment. Mr. Bland referred 10 a cloture
| rule which he said some members were afraid
| of, yet for the last fifty years clOtnre rules
| had prevailed. There is no way 10 get vote
| on the final passage OF the bill without such
rule He submitted this amendment without
fear or favor He wanted the country 70
| understand his position.
Mr.. Bartine New followed Mr.. Bland.
| For the reasons advanced by Dir. Bland he
] should vote against sustaining the previous
| question on this resolution, for under It's
| terms he did not believe 1t possible TO reach
vote on tine main question, and a direct vote
was what he wanted 10 reach
A BoMB-sHELL THEowN.
Mr.. Clarke threw bomb-shell into the
free silver camp by opposing the passing Of
| the bill. Even if it passed here the President
would veto it. he said. and this would be Civ
ING him a club with which to lnlure tho Dem
ocratic party. He would vote against it be-
cause the Democratic party at its National
Convention had by its declarations adopted a
silver plank clearly inconsistent with the
present bill. It's declared policy could not be
mistaken. tApplause by anti-silyer men.
Mr. Forman Qem., ILL., followed with
similar speech.
Mr. Patterson Dem, Tenn also surprised
the free silver men by speaking against the
bill. The Democratic party stood together
for tariff relOrIa, home rule, States rights,
but they were divided IN the silver question.
The Republican party had rendered a pro-
tectiye tariff and Il force bill as the issues CT
the campaign. IL should be fair and square
fight on the great political Issues. Silver was
not an issue, as both parties were divided upon
it.
Mr. Catchings: now yield to the gentle
man from Maine.
Ex-CZAB REEDS sPEEcH.
Mr.. Reed congratulated the Democratic
party upon itsattitude OF repentance. Laugh
ter At the time gentlemen We're pTociaiming
how sorry they were for the views they
Gently entertained his mind was occupied by
a picture Of the Democratic party as
minority Of this House IN the last Congress.
lie remembered how fierce they then were on
the floor. He remembered the announce
ment of the distinguished gentleman who has
since become the Speaker Of the House that
one thing the Democratic party yearned for
was free silver laughter, and that deelara-
tion was followed in the Congress
Democratic side" He remembered that
the distinguished gentleman who on
account Of his many virtues was made chair
man of the Committee on Ways and Means
and the leader of this House announced that
he. too representing the Democratic party,
which caused applause on the Democratic side
lie remembered how cheer after cheer fol-
lowed this earnest and vigorous speech on
this question. For moment il actually
seemed 10 him that the Democratic party had
struck "A level which might be called level OF
principle. That gentleman from Ten
nessee Mr.. Patterson had cleared all that
matter up. He had explained the real prin-
cple for which the Democratic party con-
tended, but he had somewhat embelshed
that principle in order to make quotation.
He said chat the great principle which under
lies the Democratic party Is public Office. and
lac adds that Is a public trust too. That re
yeGls the nakedness OF the true principle of
the Democratic party. Whenever 1t came to
actual business the Republican party
took the front position. as 1t does
to-day. Applause. The party opposed
any plan which would iniure the business
of the people. He was not complaining. he
said, that the Democratic party did not have
the courage of its bad principles. The Demo
cratic party catered 20 the lack of knowledge
OF the people 70 win Offices and votes. He
was glad for that redeeming principle which
makes some of them recaicitrants. He did not
criticise the trembling voices IN which the
repsntent sinner announced his return holne.
This Temarkscompletely upset the gravity Of
the House. aud rOars of laughter followed
Mr. Reed continuing SAID that there were
different classes Of men who were in favor of |
free coinage There were men in the West |
who were honestly controlled by their in |
terests and who did not see the damage they |
would DO 10 the business of the country. or |
even TO themselves. With such men he had |
a reasonable degree of sympathy. There was |
another class, with whom he had no sym |
pathy. aud that was the class who desired TO |
debase the currency for the purpose of paying |
their debts in "a cheaper coinage than that in |
which they had contracted them |
There was another class which was some |
times represented on this floor. who, with |
ont conviction on the subject or belief in the |
principles advocated. joined in the popular |
clauor in order 10 get for themselves Offices |
and enable their party TO assume that public |
trpst thew were 50 anxious to obtain. The |
Renublican party was not established for the
purpose Of procuring Offices. lJeers on the
Democratic side IL stood for principle and
10. day il was enabling. by its action a DEM
ocratjc House % do better service for our
selyes than a Republican Senate could do for
Us. Applause. s-u, "a,
Mr. Pierce Dem. Tenn followed with
rjnring spee Ia in support OF the resolution.
lie said that he would cast his vote IN ac-
cordauce with his actions heretofore: The
Silver bill was in strict accordance with the
doctrines of the Democratic party. Its lead
era have sad that it was in favor OF free silver.
He desired To say to some OF the gentlemen
who bad snoken (referrng TO Mr.. Clarke of