Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-02-26
THE CAUCUS FRUITLESS.
Democrats Still Remain Divided
on the Silver Question.
POPULAR ELECTION OF SENATORS.

ators Elected by Direct Vote OF the
People and TO Hold once for Six Years.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 26.-Mr. Hale's reci-
procity resolution being called up in the
senate by Mr.. Vest elected somewhat
lively tariff debate which is to be continued
at a future day. A number Of prominent
senators who have been absent several
days were back in their seats, among them
Senators Hill and Brice, who, however,
took no part in the debate. The Idaho con
tested election case was again taken up,
but was broken of in the middle Of a speech
by Mr.. Vance on behalf Of the contestant.
The Popular Vote for Senators.
The subcommittee of the senate COM
mittee on privileges and elections, to which
was referred the several propositions 10
amend the constitution so as to provide for
electing United States senators by direct
vote Of the people, have arrived at a con-
clusion respecting these measures. Il is 10
favorably report to the itil committee a
substitute for the several propositions, read
ing as follows:
That the senate OF the Unittd States shall be
composed Of two senator's froAq each state who
shall be chosen by a direct vote OF the people Of
the several states for six years and the electors
site for electors Of the most numerous branche
OF the state legislature and each senator shall
have one vote.
II vacancies happen 10y resignation OF other
wise the executive thereof may make tempo
rary appointments until the general election In
such state for members Of the house of repre-
sentativos in congress, whom such vacancies
shall be filled by direct vote of the people as
Aforesaid.
The subcommittee assert that the pro
posed amendment is a just tribute TO the
intelligence and integrity OF the individual
voter; that it is an enlargement Of the right
of suffrage on the part of those entitled TO
its exercise under existing laws; that IL
tends to render impossible the use Of inn
proper methods 10 influence senatorial cleo
lions which has in the past few years been
assailed, as we believe causelessly, from
time 70 time by many Of the leading and
most influential journals OF the country Of
both political parties, and that the adoption
of this proposed amendment win bring the
senate into more amicable relations with
the people.
The proceedings Of the house were unin-
teresting. the entire session being devoted
TO the consideration Of the Craig-Stewart
election case from the Twenty-fourth
Pennsylvania district The discussion Of
the question was largely confined 10 legal
arguments. Mr.. Brown, Democrat, of In
diana, however, digressed into an arraign-
ment Of the methods employed by the Re
publicans in the last congressional cam
paign Ia Indiana and the financial interfer-
ence Of Mr.. Wanamal1er in the last election
Stin Split on silver,
The unusual interest manifested in tho
silver question as q party issue was evil
.denced by the large attendance OF Demo-
cratic members OF the house who attended
the caucus Of the majority, which took
place In the hail OF the house. OF the 2S6
Democratic members of the lower house,
fully 100 were present Mr. Bland OF Mis-
souri, submitted substitute resolution pro
viding that Democratic members Of the
committee on rules be instructed TO bring
in q resolution setting apart time not
later than March % for the continuous con
sideration Of the Bland free coinage bill
until final action.
The call for the caucus stated that It was
for the purpose Of considering two resolu
tions stating that Democratic members
were in favor of the continued use Of gold
and silver as money, and were opposed TO
any legislation which would drive either
metal out Of circulation and that the
Democratic members, with due consdera-
tion for the general business Of the country,
deemed it their duty to defer any definite
action on the subject Of free coinage until
after the elections Of 1922
Mr. Harter, Of Ohio, who circulated the
petition for the caucus, Immediately raised
point of order against Mr.. BANDS resolu-
ton. on the ground that only the resolutions
to discuss which the caucus was called could
be considered. He urged his fellow menu
bers not to take any hasty action on 20 inn
portant a matter, one OF such vital interest
to the party, and hoped that the Bland
resolution would not be permitted 10 have
precedence. The point Of order was over
ruled, and the discussion then took the form
of a general debate on the silver question
the good Of the party being the burden Of
the larger number Of speeches made.
A Fruitiess Caucus.
Mr. Bland INDUCED in some criticism Of
Mr.. Herter's course IN endeavoring 20 side
track the free coinage bill, and urged the
adoption Of his resolution of instruction TO
the committee on rules. Speeches were also
made by Messrs. Bryan, OF Nebraska; Fow-
Ter, of New Jersey, and Hooker, Of Missis-
sippi, in favor Of Mr.. Bland's resolution.
Mr.. Pierce, Of Tennessee, made strong
appeal from political standpoint IN favor
of the resolution. He commended that Mr..
Cleveland was elected president when be
had liberal silver plank in his platform
STl1le in lSSs, when he ran in opposition to
free coinage, he was defeated.
Mr.. Fowler contended that New Jersey
-Eould be stronger TO the Democracy with a
free silver plank IN the next national plat
form, and that II such plank were inserted
she state wouli 6 Z - cratic by an In.
creased majority.
Mr.. Williams of Massachusetts,, a mem
Der of the committee on coinage, weight.
and measures, led the assault on the reso
luton, contending that the passage Of
free coinage bill meant political death TO the
Democratic party in the east
Messrs Wilcox, of Connecticut; Herbert
of Alabama; Mckinney, Of New Hamp
shire, and English, Of New Jersey, sup
ported Mr.. Williams in his stand. Most O
the speeches Of the anti-free coinage mel
were protests against the free coinage bill
based on the belief that Il would cause dis
ruption in the party and bring ignominop
defeat in the next general election. Sew
eral Of the ants stated that they would no
be bound by any action tho caucus Nigh
take in the matter.
The discussion continued for nearly tw
hours, and then Mr.. Oates, Of Alabama, oil
tanning recognition, said it was obvious tina
the free coinage men We're In the majority
but that no results could be had because til
ants would not be bound by caucus actor
He therefore moved the caucus adjourn
which was carried.