The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-29
THE SILVER BILL KILLED.
MIR. BLAND AND HIS LIEUTENANTs DE-
eide TO GIVE UP THE EIGHT
Speaker Crisp Said lie vouiA Not Vote In
the Committee Rules for Gag Ruic
Unless Majority or Democratic Men,
bers Asked for IL, and that settled II.

speaker Srusp said He WOu1a Not Vote IN
the Committee Rules for Gag Rule
Unless n Majority or Democratic Mem
bers Asked for II, and that settled II.
WASHINGTON. March 2S.-The free silver mon
In tho House were thrown into CONSIDERATION
to-day by tho report that Speaker Crisp had
said that he would not vote in the Committee
on Rules In favor OF bringing in rule to shut
off debate on tho Bland bill unless he received
assurances from majority OF the Democratic
members that they would support the rule.
This statement was made by Mr.. Crisp to
Representative Pendleton OF West Virginia
shortly after noon to-day. Mr.. Pendleton i'm
mediatey communicated 1t to somo Of his
party associates on the floor. and the news
sprend with lightninglik rapidity. When
Speaker Crisp was asked whether he had made
such a statement he said:
1T is true that have taken tho position
that unless assurances are given mo that a
majority Of the Democratic members will vote
for a cloture rule. will vote in the Committee
on Rules against its adoption. think am
right in assuming this position. / stated in
caucus that would not make changes in the
rules or bring In any now form Of procedure
unless received the support OF my party. and
1t Is this position that am assuming now"
This kills the bill. said Mr.. Harter OF Ohio
one OF the most active anti-silver Democrats
The silver men cannot get majority Of the
Democrats to sign any petition to the Commit
tee on Rules for n cloture.'
A formal request was made to the Committee
on Rules this morning by Mr.. Bland that the
committee bring in special order setting an
early day for another vote on the Silver bill
with cloture provision Speaker Crisp told
Mr.. Bland frankly that he had decided not to
favor the request for tho cloturc unless he was
assured by Il majority Of Democratic members
that they would give him their earnest sup
port in attempting to adopt it, This was a
startling piece of Information to Mr. Bland.
He had q long talk with tho Speaker on the
subject. but did not succeed in making Mr..
Crisp change his mind. After consultation
with some OF his supporters. Mr.. Bland decided
to endeavor to get the requisite number Of
names to petition to the Committee on
Rules. hut on further consideration. the
Bland mon decided that they would withdraw
the petition and give up the fight. The anti
silver men circulated the report that thirty
five silver Democrats had refused to sign the
petition. and this had the effect OF keeping
many Of those who had heretofore supported
the Bland programme, nj from putting their
maeS by s ang away
their numbers. and. it was after they began to
see how large the detection was that they dc;
snid this afternoon that he had given up the
fight and would make no further attempt to
bring the bill to vote.
Speaking for Mr. Bland and tho free silver
men. Mr.. Pierce of Tennessee said: I'VE will
not push the matter further. but will let the
Committee on Rules assume the responsibility
for the defeat Of the bill before the people Of
the country"
The silver men declare that Speaker Crisp
has broken his word. given tn Mr.. Bland. Mr..
Pierce. Mr.. stone of Kentucky. and others.
Mr. Bland said this afternoon that on Thurs
day night. lust before he moved to adjourn the
House and thus lost the support Of the SPECIAL
order for a vote on his bill he had a consulta-
ton with Speaker Crisp on the best course to
pursue in order to save tho bill from defeat.
Mr.. Crisp assured him that II he moved an ad:
bring in another special order providing for q
direct vote on the bill and pending amend
ments. and also Il provision for cloture.
Satisfied with this. Mr.. Bland says he
moved to adjourn. and the next day. un-
der the guidance and advice OF the SpeaIe
he drafted the resolution which he introduced.
setting apnrt to- day for a vote on the bill and
also providing for cloture. Mr.. Crisp assured
him. says Mr.. Bland. that he would vote for
this order In the Committee on Rules. and that
II. would undoubtedly be brought in; In view
Speakers present attitude is inconsistent and
hard to explain. and he says he cannot UNDER
stand why Mr.. Crisp went back on the promises
he gave to himself and the other gentlemen
mentioned.