The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-21
Bland Says They Will Be Asserted
in Behalf of the Silver
Bill.
Ills Firm Disbelief in the Rumor
That the Gold Bugs Will
Fllibuster.
Illness of tho Speaker aud Absence of
Cntehings Much Kegrettod-A Caucus
Will BE Held.

of uneusiness on the part Of tho democratic
members of the house over the condition oi
business in the house, and there is dispo-
sition to get together and agree upon the
programme OF business. AT present mat
ters are simply drifting along. and they de-
sire to bring order out of the confusion
which prevails. The silver question is the
most disoouragine element. The tariff
bills and the regular annual appropriation
bills will soon domand great deal Of at
tentlon, and it is agreed that there must
! shortly come a time when programme OF
business for some months to come must be
settled upon il anything ia to be acco m-
plishod.
The absence Of Catchings has delayed
the meeting Of the rules committee for
some days past and the health of the
speaker made it necessary that he should
seek respite from public affairs while the
house is temporarily in recess on account of
the visit of a number of the members to
Chicago. It ia probable that the whole
democratic policy will be considered at the
caucus and programme Of action outlined
as far as possible. The silver men all say
they have no intention of antagonizing the
tariff and other measures and that they are
as good tariff reformers as any other mem
bers of the house. They say, however, that
they will not consent that the turiff and
other measures shall all be- used to prevent
the consideration of the silver bill and if,
as they do not believe to be the case, they
should ascertain that this is the policy Of
the promoters of the tariff bill, they will
iy,ui uiaf in Tn ha nil
question.
tee, voiced the sentiment OF his associates
to-day. He said: Before we take up the
tariff bills and the appropriation bills there
must be an agreement on just what we are
going to do. There must be an understand
ing from the beginning, or else the silver
bill will be here as long as the tariff and
appropriation bills. and will be talked of al
tariff reform, and the considering of the
tariff bills but if it is their programme to
keep the tariff here always, and not to do
anything on the silver question, then wv
will consider them all together. There is
no disposition against taking up the tariff,
that it is not to be run as a machine to
knock out silver. l have heard that the
reports on the tariff are to be kept here,
not for the purpose of passing the tariff
bill. but to kill silver. l want it understood
that don't think there is any such inten-
tion.
But if such intentions should be dis
closed we will take the opportunity to force
silver to the front and talk OF silver on the
tariff and every other bill. I don't believe,
az l have said, all these reports and rumors
about knocking out silver with the tariff
and appropriation bills, but if We find out
that that is the game, We have way to
meet it and the silver bill as an amend
ment, will be added TO every bill which
comes up. We do not intend the minority
shall run over the majority in that way.
and We have majority in favor of the sill
yer bill.
"The silver bill is not going to be kept
down by any tactics of that kind. 1t will
be kept forward constantly, and in attempt
ing to keep it down they would make it the
biggest issue Of all. We shall not obstruct
the tariff bills, but We must know what is
to bs done about the consideration Of she
silver issue.'
'Ihey can't paddock mans mouth or
stop bringing up the question:" said Bland
in conclusion ''and l don't think they will
attempt to kill off the silver bill with tho
tariff.''