The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-31
THE SILVER BILL DEAD.
Mr.. Bland Accuses Speaker Crisp of Du-
plicity-Crisp's Denial.


Ever since the exciting scenes over the Bland
free coinage of-silver bill in the House OF
Representatives, which resulted in the tempo
rary defeat Of that measure the advocates OF
free coinage have been using their persuasive
powers to induce the Committee on Rules TO
report closure resolution which would compel
vote upon the bill. As the Committee has
heretofore shown by their action that they
were in favor Of the measure, it was thought
that there would be no difficulty in getting
them to report the closure resolution.
But Speaker Crisp, when interviewed upon
the matter, stated emphatically that the reso-
luton would not be reported unless majority
of the Democrats of the House signed a petit
ton asking that such rule be reported. The
silver men have consequently been at work
trying TO get signatures to such petition, but
on Monday evening Mr. Bland, of Missouri,
the author Of the BILL and his lieutenants gave
it up as bad job, having failed TO secure the
necessary number OF names to their petition to
have the resolution reported. This virtually
kills the silver bill in the House.
That Dir. Bland, who has been working for
years to secure the passage of his pet measure,
felt sore over the decision of Speaker Crisp
cannot be doubted ana he accused the Speaker
OF duplicity in acting as he did. He says that
when the rule was reported setting aside three
days for the consideration Of the bill, he in
q
order from day to day until the bill was dis
posed OF, knowing that three days could be
fillbustered, and no action taken on the bill.
de made this suggestion, and the Speaker said
he ought 10 trust the Committee on Rules in
the matter; that if the three days were con-
sumed in filibustering and the bill was not dis
posed of, the committee would report rule
which would prevent all filibustering motions
and compel a vote on the bill.
That fhe dph1te Of
the third day, when he moved the previous
question, and several votes were taken on the
bill and motions pertaining to it. when the op-
ponents OF the bill commenced flibuste5ing,
by moving recesses, adjournments, and roll
calls. 1t is understood by everybody that these
motions can be made without limit, and no bill
can pass while they are kept up. These tactics
were kept up until 1870 p. m. on the last day
OF the consideration of the bill.
The friends Of the bill were determined to
continue In session so as TO prevent the lapse Of
the legislative day, and several members went
to the Speaker and asked his advice about the
matter, and if the flibustering had not been
continued long enough TO warrant the Com
mittee on Rules reporting resolution direct
ing that vote be taken on the bill.
The Speaker assured Mr. Bland and other
members that lilibustering had been permitted
as long as was consistent, and that a resolution
would be reported by the Committee on Rules
to bring the bill TO vote; that he (Mr. Bland),
upon this assurance by the Speaker moved to
adjourn at lis the Speakers suggestion. Tho
next day the Speaker advised him TO introduce
resolution TO be voted on on Monday, prevent
ing all filIbustering and compelling q vote on
the bill, which he did, the Speaker never saying
anything about wanting majority of the Dem
ocrats of the House to sign petition desiring
the ruleto De reported by the Committee. He
says THAT the Speaker has changed his attitude
regarding the bill aud has acted with great du-
plclty concerning the whole matter
Speaker Crisp, when informed of Mr.. BANDS
charges that he acted with dnpicity regarding
the bill, said be was surprised that Mr.. Bland
should have SO far forgotten himself aud the
true siu2tion as 10 endeavor TO islead thepublic
by such statement; that when the rules were
beng considered IN caucus lie had pledged his
party that 10 rule should be reported prohibit
ing hlbusterug except at the request of the
majority o! the Democrats OF The House; that
such majority had requested that a time be
fixed Tor the consideration of the free coinage
b!li, but made no reference TO any change of
rule. IN response TO this request the commit
tee permitted three days for the consideration
OF Lhe b!ll. The bill was saved from the table
by the cast ing vote Of the Speaker; that this
tie vote was a surprise TO every body, because
II was generally understood that the friends of
the bill were in the majority from 30 to 40.
'iic '2PS"hel acknowledged 10 nave drawn TIE
closure resolution introduced by Mr.. Bland.
thinking many of the members who had voted
on GIatory motions were in favor Of the pass
age OF the bill, and he thought majority Of
the Democrats would be in favor of reporting
such cioture resolution. lie made INQUIRIES
and found that many Democratic mem bers
whom he thought would be in favor of Oh a
rule being reported were not so in favor and
he then determined TO wait and see if a MA
jority OF the Democrats would sign petition
10 have the rule reported. Upon this Mr.. Bland
said he would have nothing to d O with getting
zap petition 10 have the rule reported. The
Speaker denied empba;ically that he had acted
with dOpicity in The matter, and he believed
that such was the opinion of the majority of
the Democrats Of the House.