New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-12
FREE SILVER IN THE HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS OPPOSED TO II STRAINING
EVERY NERVE.
AN EFFORT TO HAVE THE BLAND BILL POST.
PONED-A PETITION FOR IMME-
DATE ACTIO,
RY MI IGRAPu 10 LILLE THIHrNEI

,BY TELEGRAPH TO THE THIBCNE.J
Washington, Feb. 11.-There was considerable activity
among antl-free-coinage Democrats in the House
to-day. They are straining every nerve TO obtain a
pOstpOneliIent of the measure until next winter In
the hope that by doing 1t can be killed by wasting
time. The chief argument Is the one used by senator
Vest in his letter to the Grcystone Club of Denver that
the passage Of Free Coinage bin by the Democratic
House would inevitably the defeat of the party
in the coming Presidential election. 1t Is the only
argument which be expected TO have any weight
with men who, like ninc-tenths OF the Democratic
members OF the House. earnestly in favor Of free
coinage. There Is d)ubt, however, rs to how
these men will vote when brought face to face with
the question they dare not cast vote which can
he construed as unfriendly to free and unlimited
coinage. Many Of them probably share the feelings
and opinions of Colonel O'FcTall. Of Virginia, who
said to-day to a Tribune correspondent:
al would much prefer to have the subject postponed
until next session. but, Of course shall feel con-
strained to vote with the majority of tie Committee
on Coinage and l presume that the other represent
atives from Virginia will do the same. For my part,
wou,d he glad TO have the matter relegated TO tho
Congress districts and made an Issue IN the eecu)h
next fall do not share the fears OF either party III
regard TO silver; that is, have no idea that ireo
colnaee will ruin the country, nor have any fear
fiat the country will be ruined without free coinage
understand that Chairman Bland intends to press tho
consideration OF his BILL"
Democratic member OF the Committee on Rules
said
Il do not think 1t will be necessary for our COM
mttee to interpose in order to prevent the defeat OF
the Coinage bill by fhbustering have reason 70 DC
lieve there will be protracted fllbusternG agnins'
the measure. OF course, II there should be- suppose
that the Committee on Rules would report resolution
TO close the debate and bring the bill to vote aer
reasonable discussion. In regard to pubic measure
OF such importance do not think the committee "oulu
feel justified in attempting thwart or hinder action
The powers OF TIE committee Will not be used to sup
press public legislation which asked by rSpee'aoie
number Of members, In my opinion"
The attitude of Colonel Mills in regard to the Band
bill has not been made known, but he has been III te
House small part OF the time this session. Owing
to ilhealth and other causes. that he Is hardN Ill
touch even with the who followed his fortunes III
the Speakershp tussle and his influence Is not so
powerful as 1t otherwise would have BEEN y prom
inent and influential Texas Representative said TO
Tribune correspondent TO-DAY that all, or nearly ALL
the votes from that State would be cast for the Free
Coinage bill at all stages.
The anti-free coinage Democrats to-day claimed
votes enough defeat the consideration of the Bland
bill, with the ard of the Republicans In addition TO
the fourteen Democratic votes from New England, lhey
claim twenty-five from New-York five from New-Jer-
sew ten from Pennsylvania six from Maryland. eight
from Wisconsin. one from Ohio. seven from Michigan,
five from Iowa three from Minnesota and four from
Illnois-a total of eighty votes, winch, auucd u
seventy eight Republican votes upon which they rely
makes an aggregate Of 163 This leaves majority OF
six for the bill on n full vote, but its opponents de-
clared today that they had private assurances OF sap
port from other members sufficient to give them safe
majority.
OF course the freesilver Democrats scout TINS csu-
mate and declare that they will have clear majority
OF at least fifty every test vote. The placing OF the
bill on the House calendar instead Of the calendar OF
the Committee of the Whole is regarded as victory
by its friends who assert that it not only improves
the parliamentary status of the measure, but indicates
the fendness Of the speaker. Several Of them were
busy to-day circulating petition requesting the Com
mittee OH Rules 10 bring in resolution 10 set apart
time for the consideration Of the bill. The petition
was freely signed by freecoinage Democrats and VIII
doubtless be granted by the Committee on Rules.
Persons who express doubts in regard TO SPEAKER
(rsps attitude in respect to free silver seem 10 nave
forgotten the issues which were invovcd III the SPEAK
ership tussle. -. -, o
Coinage Committee and helped TO circulate the peuoh
to-day, said -, l.. a..
IIouse irrespective Of party, will sign it, In my opn-
ion we shall get nearly 200 signatures. and there Is no
doubt the result of 1t will be that the committee VIII
bring I'm an order giving date: Iflat being zone
the House will the bill formally before H. ana
date satisfactory 10 the feecOnage men Will be .eecu
upon This bin is bound TO pass, ana we Simply piVV
pose TO press its consideration while the caehdar Is
comparatively free"