St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-24
A CAUCUS OF NO USE.
On the Question OF Silver No
One Is Willing to Be
Bound.
Harter's Circular and Plain
Talk Are Bracing UP the
Weakeners.
John Lind'S Position Not a
Certainty, but His Words
Are Right.
Other Minnesota Men Opposed
to Bland--StateSmen
Scarce.

ASHlNGION, rep. E2.-Ine silver
question appears to be in statu quo
pending the return of Speaker Crisp
and the Chicago exeursionists. So far
as can be learned. Mr. Holman, of In
diana, the caucus chairman, has not yet
determined upon the date on which the
caucus requested by Mr.. Harter and
his associates shall be held. 1t is not
believed that this caucus will mark any
considerable advance towards a definite
agreement. 1t is not thought that
either the silver or anti-silver men will
be bound by any conclusion reached in
caucus as to the silver question that
may be Objectionable to them, so it is
probable that the caucus will be no
more than conference for the ex-
change of opinions.
1t is probable that the Democratic
members of the rules committee may
meet prior TO the caucus and talk over
the situation. The silver men believe
that an order will be made giving the
Bland bill day for consideration.
There is disposition, however, to take
up the wool bill first. Democratic MEM
bers say that the bill ought not to occu-
Ply the time of the house for more than
three weeks, and, if it IS necessary to
prevent undue delay, the rules commit
tee can, and doubtless will, report
rule to bring the measure to a vote.
Some appropriation bills may then be
put through before proceeding with
other m alters. The silver men will be
content with the course, and say that
all they ask is an assurance that pro-
gramme will be laid out in which silver
Will have place.
Harter,s Circular.
Hon. NJ. ID. Harter Dem.). of Ohio.
did good service to the country when
he sent to Grand Army posts his circu-
lar OF warning about the evil results
that would follow the enactment of a
free silver law, and Mr. Bland indicated
the force of Mr.. Harter'S argument
when he violently assaulted him for what
Mi. Bland was pleased to cali "bulldoz-
lng,' although the intimation was but
the convincing power OF good reason
ing. But Mr.. Harter did a great sery-
Ice. 1t appears, in making his speech in
reply. In which he declared that free
silver bill would not only not furnish a
dollar more money to the circulation of
the country, but would promptly, WIS.,
IDLY. distinctly, radically, dangerously,
rulnousiy contract the currency of the
country the morning after the presi-
dent OF the United States had set his
name to the bill.
He followed this by saving that 1.-THE
gentleman (Mr. Bland) talks about his
Democracy, but he advocates policy
here which, If adopted by this house,
would be equivalent to securing the
election of Benjamin Harrison as presi-
dent Of the United States for second
term, through the action of the Demo
cratic members of the house, under the
leadership of the gentleman from Mis-
souri," This sort of talk is having the |
effect OF stiffening up these Democrats
VINO nave been wayerlng between in |
cllnatIon and fear. If there has been
any "bulldozing" INDUCED in, it will be
scarcely necessary to bring witnesses to
prove that the silver men have made
All Sorts of Menaces
of what they would do if free silver |
bill was not passed. There is not much |
doubt that if Mr.. Mills had chosen TO |
keep quiet upon the silver question, or
if he had asserted that he would make a
silver committee that would report a
free coinage bill, he would have had |
many more free silver supporters. He
had Mr.. Bland, it ought to be said, but |
he showed his leadership when he was
able to convince Mr.. Bland to follow |
him and to vote for him for speaker. |
when he was really aware of the pur-
pose of Mr.. Mills to make the silver !
question subordinate one in case he |
was made speaker of the house.
Representative Lind (Rep.). of Min |
nesota. says: The passage of a free |
coinage act would not increase the vol |
ulne of money in the country. We are |
now utilizing all the silver we produce |
as basis for legal tenders. Our per |
capita OF circulation is daily increasing |,
under the operation of the law passed |
by the last congress, and in a manner
that Involves 10 possible risk. For |
these reasons | will not vote for free
coinage at this time, although 1 believe
that Is the only way to ultimately OBJ |
tain true bi-metalism unless it can be |
effected by international agreement"
Mr.. Lind has been regarded as being |
favorable to free coinage.
The three Democratic representatives |
from Minnesota are more emphatic in
their opposition. Mr.. Halyorsen, the |
Alliance member, stands by the Ocala |
platform, but he is not fully satisfied |
that free coluage would cure all the ills |
in the nation, and made up his mind to |
vote against the bill. He would not
greatly displease his constituents by
taking such hand. Representative
Castle Dem.). of Minnesota, declared
that free coinage men are few and far
between in Minnesota. Halvorsen's
district, under the new apportionment,
is made almost for the Republican
party. and he may see that it would be a
good stroke tor him to repudiate the |
Bland bill.