The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-26
The Democratic Caucus Arrives
at No Agreement.
RULES COMMITTEE TO DECIDE.
Senator Squire Makes an Argument
for the Lake Washington Canal.
Good Prospect of an Appropriation-Po-
litical Debate on Reciprocity in the
Senate and on the Indiana Campaign
in the House.

WAsHIHGToS CRY, Feb. 25.-The net
result of the Democratic caucus tonight,
called by Harter and other anti-silver
men, seems to be that the silver question
is about where it was before the caucus.
The free silver men are evidently in the
majority, but the minority is unwilling to
be bound by the caucus actions The
resolution submitted to the caucus by the
ants declares in favor of the continued
use of gold and silver as money,
and unalterable opposition to any legisla-
tion which will drive either metal out of
general circulation. Further, that in JUS
tice to the Democratic party and with due
consideration for the general business, in
dustrial and financial interests of the
nation, it is deemed to be the duty of the
Democratic members to defer definite
action on the subject of free coinage until
the question of its wisdom and justice is
distinctly settled in the elections of 1892.
Although the Democratic senators were
invited to attend the conference, Butler of
South Carolina was the only one who
came. The proceedings opened with q
speech by Harter. In accordance with
the programme, the free silver men then
put the question to the ants whether or
not they would agree to be bound by the
caucus proceedings. After some discus
sion it was agreed that those in the con-
ference remain free to vote as they choose.
Bland offered a resolution instructing
the committee on rules to bring in n spe-
cial order fixing March p as the date on
which the silver bill is TO be taken up.
Warner of New York raised point of or
der, but he was overruled
RlanI Rrv1D EpUiar and Hn0kpr SpOL-a
in favor of the resolution. Williams of
Massachusetts, opposed it, predicting dis
aster to the Democrats in the East.
Fowler of New Jersey said that the state
ment that his state could not be carried on
free silver platform was untrue New
Jersey was a Democratic state regardless
of the silver question.
Herbert of Alabama urged delay, and
thought the interests of the party would
be served by not passing the bill now.
Pierce of Tennessee maintained that free
coinage was strong with the people and
would gain the party votes. West Vir-
ginia, North Carolina and Virginia were
close states in which the party stood n
chance of losing the presidential election
if the peoples demand for free coinage was
not met
sin, English of New Jersey and Mckinney
of New Hampshire spoke against the bill
and resolution.
The debate then grew tiresome, and
Oates of Alabama said he had assurance
that the committee on rules would, if the
Bland resolution was not adopted, bring
in rule making the Bland bill special
order. He saw no advantage in a row
among the Democrats.
The caucus finally adjourned. and this
leaves the matter with the rules commit
tee to decide whether or not the special
order will be brought in.
Senator German came over to the House
today and asked Bland and his friends 70
consent to the appointment of joint eau
Gus committee by the Democratic repre-
sentatives and senators which should con-
troll the party measures OF Legislation
during the present session and decide
which bills should have precedence in
the order of consideration. Bland re-
jected the suggestion and declared that
nothing would satisfy the free coinage
men of the House but the passage of the
free coinage bill and that, too at an early
day. Particular stress was laid upon the
intention of the free silver people in the
House to pass the bill regardless of the
sentiments of the Democratic members,
and Bland asserted that no joint caucus
or Joint committee would be allowed to
exercise any dictation whatever in the
matter.
THE committee on rules consists of the
speaker, McMilliu of Tennessee, Catchings of
Mississippi, Reed OF Maine and Burrows of
Michigan. Not one of the members is a pro-
nounced silver ADVOCATED