Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-26
A SILVER BOMB
Exploded in the Ranks of the
Gold Bugs
AT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
A New Jersey Democrat Declares a Free
Silver Plank Would Help the Party.
The People Demand Free Sill
ver-The Proceedings.
SILVER Caucus.

WASHINGTON, FEB. 21-The DemOcraIlC
members of the house met in conference to-
night pursuant to the call issued by Repre-
sentative Holman, chairman of the caucus,
for the purpose Of considering the follow
ing resolutions, which are now published
as submitted to the caucus having been
revised since the request for call as cir
culated by Harter Of Ohio
Resolved. that we are in favor of the
continued use of both gold and silver as
money, and that We are unalterably opposed
to any legislation which will drive either
metal out Of general circulation.
Resolved, that in justice to the Demo
cratic party and with due consideration for
the general business, industrial and
financial interests of the nation,
we deem il the duty of the Democratic
members of the E'ifty-second congress to
defer any definite action or the subject OF
free coinage until the question of its Wis.,
dom and justice is distinctly made in the
elections Of 1892. The call continues: We
ask you further TO invite the Democratic
Nom bers of the senate to this conference.
1t was O'Clock when Chairman Holman
called the caucus TO order. The caucus was
very well attended If Harter thought the
invitation to Democratic senators would be
generally accepted he was mistaken, for
Butler of South Carolina was the only senaS
tor present.
Mr.. Harter opened the proceedings with
a speech in which he stated that in accord
ance with the programme which had been
outlined ut a conference held between anti
and silver men the question was
put to the ants whether or not
they would agree to be bound by caucus
proceedings. After some little discussion
1t was agreed that the conference should not
be regarded as binding upon any one and that
members should be free to vote as they
chose. In stating the objects of the caucus
Harter made a speech against the advisa-
bility of the passage of free coinage bill.
Mr.. Bland Of Missouri then offered res
olutiOn inStructing the committee on rules
to bring IN Il special order fixing March %
as the date on which the silver bill should
be taken up, discussed and kept before the
house until finally acted on. Against this
resolution Mr.. Warner of New York raised
the point of order claiming that under the
call, in response TO which the members were
present, the resolution could not be con-
Sidered. The point OF order was overruled
and no appeal was taken after this de-
cision.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Bland
Bryan of Nebraska, Fuller and Hooker, in
favor of the Bland resolution.
Mr.. Williams of Massachusetts spoke in
opposition to it, declaring it would bring
disaster to the Democratic party in
the East Mr.. Williams then appealed to
the Southern members to stand by the
Eastern Democrats, who, he said, had
stood by the South against the elections
bill
Fowler of New Jersey in his speech sur
prised many of those present by the earn
est manner in which he advocated action on
the resolution. He said the assertion that
New Jersey could not be carried on free
silver plank was untrue. New Jersey was
a Democratic state, regardless Of the silver
question. He had carried his district by
an increased majority with a free silver
plank.
Pierce of Tennessee answered those who
asserted that free silver would hurt the
party. He maintained that free coinage
was strong with the people ana would gain
the party votes. If q free silver bill
were passed, he asserted that the result
would be large gains for the Democrats,
and especially in West Virginia,
North Carolina and Virginia, which
were all close states. in which
the party would stand the chance of losing
the presidential election If the demand for
free coinage is not met.
The debate, grew tiresome, and as it was
evident that the members were in favor of
adjournment, Mr. Oates, i free-coina9e
man, therefore moved to adjourn. He said
that the anti-coinage men had stated that
they would not be bound by caucus action.
He had assurances that the committee on
rules would bring in a rule making the
Bland bill special order. 1t was evident
the free coinage men were in the majority,
but no good could come of forcing a vote.
A split occurred among the free-coinage
men over the motion to adjourn. some
favoring caucus adoption of the Bland
resolution. 1t was finally decided, how
ever to adjourn, s to So
The result of the caucus seems to bel that
the silver question is left just about where
it was before the caucus was held