New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-06
IN MIDDLE OVER SILVER.
goW DEMOCRATS FILIBUSIER AMONG THEM.
SELVES
THE MAJORITY WITHOUT A QUORUM AND POW.
ERLEss TO REFER TIE gILL-ANGDR OF
BLAND AND HIS FOLLOWERS.
LEY IELRGRAPM 10 TIE TkIRENE.I

IBY TELEGRAPH TKIBUNE.J
Washington. July 1.-The members OF the Demo
cratic majority in the House OF Representatives are In
a worse muddle than ever They hlbustered among
themselves during the whole OF todays sitting which
ended where 1t began. with the silver bill on the
speakers table awaiting reference. Time after time
the roll Of members called. each time disclosing
the presence of q quorum which suddenly vanished
when the roll called the pending motion.
1t should not be understood that there actual
disappearance Of the quorum in every case. but only
such one as is authorized and encouraged by the
beautiful code Of rules which ties the hands Of the
majority and protects the rights Of the minority by
giving 1t control Of the business Of the House.
This made it possible for thirty Democrats
who are opposed TO any action whatever upon the
Silver bill prevent, for the time being at least It's
reference under the rules to the Committee Coinage
Mr. Tracey OF New York, who led the fiibusterers,
moved 10 refer the bill to the Committee on Banking
and Currency. of which Mr.. Bacon. Of New-fork, is
chairman and strong majority Of which is opposed
TO silver legislation at this session. The vote resulted
IS Ia and friends Of the bill were forced to raise
the point of no quorum. call Of the House dis
closed the presence Of l79 mcmoeie-thirteen more
than a quorum-but the vote which was immediately
taken was eight short Of a quorum. Tracey and his
SQUAD OF Cleveland Democrats had refused to vote.
From this time until the House forced to adjourn
the Cleveland squad held command OF the situation ana
the majority powcr.cSs
To say that Bland and his Tree silver ioHo"eIs werc
angry is but fcebly to describe their feelings. They
coaxed ard threatened the tlbuStcrS and openly de-
cared that they would block all other legislation until
+hc silver bin shOud have a fair chance; in other
words they promised to become hlibusterS in favor
OF the bill and their leaders proposed that caucus
should lie held tonight TO map out plan Of cam
paign.
The Speaker was at his wits end and there were
moments when he would have welcomed I" the Reed
rulcs" Of the last Congress one OF the anu-silver
Nubusers said to Of his friends that the Speaker
had gone 80 far privately 10 sugget the threat
that the House might be compelled so TO amend the
rules as to insure the orderly transaction Of business
and there is reason to believe that the Democratic
members OF the Committee Rules have begun
seriously TO entertain d proposition having that END
in view In the meantime another effort is TO be put
forth to cause the Of absent members whether
Il will be more successful than past efforts OF the
same sort remains to be seen.
The Republican members OF the House, VINO are
too few In numbers to exert much influence by their
votes however much they may and do accomplish
in debate witnessed today's proceedings with as
lack of harmony which prevailed in the Democratic
ranks and which threatens not only 70 proions uo
session but TO bring rcproach thal ever upon
the incapable majority. Ncvcial OF them kindly sue
yested TO the Democratic leaders that the rules OF INC
FIST Congress if put in force would relieve the sud
tton and that il was too late even now 10 aooP'
them The suggestion was not kindly received