The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-08-29
THE WILSON BILL PASSED.
Scenes In the House the Voting Pro-
crosses.
Especial to the Press.]


crosses.
Washington, August 2s.--Uuder the
impression that the order under which
the House has been operating the past
two weeks SO far as the hours of meeting
was concerned prevailed today, the pub
lie galleries of the hall of the House OF
Representatives were filled before ten
O'Clock, and many members were IN their
seats on the floor at that hour The
surrounding corridors and lobbies of the
floor were also filed with a throng of
people curious to know the outcome OF
the oratorial contest which has been
going GU within the chamber for fourteen
days.
The practical outcome of the votes to
be taken was conceded on all hands to
be the defeat of every proposition relating
to the free coinage OF silver at any ratio
with gold, and also the resolution reviv-
ing the Bland-Allison act OF 1875. This
much was freely admitted by Represen-
tatiye Bland, the leader of the silver
forces He said that the estimate of the
Anti-Silver committee of majority OF
about fifty against any OF the several
propositions included within the order
covering the proceedings OF the day
might even be conceded.
"rhe influences that have been brought
to bear upon our men have had their
effect and [ should not be surprised to
see the Wilson bill go through the senate {,
some day soon with little or no friction. "
The leaders of the House attracted the
usual amount of attention as they came
upon the floor.
Weaver of New York, appeared at the
bar OF the House and was sworn IN by
the Speaker.
The resolution contained in the order
of procedure on the silver question was
reported by the clerk, providing for a
vote first upon free coinage OF silver at
the present ratio of 16 to l.
Representative Bailey of Texas,
asked if in the event OF
ali the amendments included in
the order being defeated, it would be in
order to propose an additional amend
ment germane to the subject.
Speaker Crisp replied that as at present
advised he would answer no; that the
order provides exhaustively all that the
House may consider, but that when the
time came to formally present the
question the gentleman from Texas
might be heard.
Representative McMillin of Tennessee
desired to offer an amendment providing
for the free coinage of the silver mines
of the United States, but Mr.. Bland ob-
jected to even having it read, saying that
such a proposition was not free coinage
at all.
The roll was then called upon the
amendmnt to the Wilson bill providing
for the free coinage of silver at the ratlo
of 16 to 1. 1t resulted, yeas Ia, nays
226.
The announcement of the vote was re-
ceived with applause and some surprise ;t
at the majority against tree colnage, ~ J..
being nearly double the largest es6ln1ate
made by the Anti-oilver commltee; Mr;
Bland, from a seat at the eX6relne ielt u "
the Speaker, smiled grlmly as ne neaIe'
the result, nervously chewing and ROCK
ing to and fro ON his pivot cha!r. Line
figures seem to show that majority. OF
the Democratic members voted against
Tree coinage.
Then. the II to / ratio was defeated lou
to 240, and the 10 to 1 amendment was re-
| Jected los to 231. The ratio OF ~ TO l
was the next amendment offered by M MT.
Bland, and was defeated ll9 10 22S. Inc
next move was upon the last amendment
TO the Wilson bill covered by the agree
| ment providing for vote on the feenact-
ment OF the Bland-Allison act Oh 100, re-
curing The coinage of at least TWO lnlllioh
OF silver dollars month and permittinI9
the coinage of four millions. On thls the
vote was, yeas 1885, nays 213
Inc yeas Were Democrats liz; he
pupncans, Is: Populist Q. The nay were
Democrats 103: Republicans, ll0. All
the New England mem bers voted no.
Mr. wheeler of Illinois, announced
that owing to a severe illness he had
| just reached the House and had been nre-