The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-10
THE SILVER men CAUCUS
For the Purpose OF Organizing for a
Systematic and Vigorous
Campaign.
Discussion Developes the Fact
That New Ratio May
Be Favored.
The Ratio to Be Such as Wil Maintain tho
Parity between Gold and
silver,

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-The hall Of the
house was closed sho tly before IL and the
friends of free silver began their CAUCUS
Not more than fifty members made I'm np-
pearance. The doorkeepers were instructed
to notify each one who applied for admis-
sion that the meeting was confined to free
coinage members. Before the caucus met
Bland said the purpose for which it had
been called waa to organize silver forces,
appoint committees and prepare generally
for the struggle before them. 10 the sug-
gestion that some OF the silver men would
not attend the caucus for the reason that
they did not want thereby TO seem to separ-
ate themselves from their respective parties
Bland rejoincd that it was not expected
that much aid OF comfort WAS to be derived
from those WHO had not the courage OF
their convictions.
'"There mny be many a scalp taken by
tho people before the fight is over" con-
tinded the apostle of silver. "There aie
men here representa-. free silver con-
stituencies who are panic stricken and
ready TO yield 10 the clamor against silver.
The people are not so affected; they will
look upon the matter dispassionately when
it Ia ended, and ask their representatives
what allied them. The people do not con.
slider the attack upon the Sherman law az
sincere, for il il to them the question ol
first importance. They look u; on II hs q
fight between gold men and bimetallists,
and while they would not be willing TO see
the present laws relating 70 coinage uncon-
ditioally repealed. what they want first oi
all in the FREQ coinage Of silver. That is
tbs main question"
The discussion developed the fact that Of
those present some we not tied to the sl1
teen to one ratio. motion was made
looking to the preparation Of a bill by
which the Sherman law should be repealed
and the free coinage Of silver at ratio
with gold to te aR eed VI on provided for
Discussion developed that q ratio OF twenty
to one would be acceptable to those who
felt that the old ratio should be changed.
| The resolutions adopted were:
"Resolved, That We will su port bill
repeating she pu chasing clause of the
| Sherman act and oonou1rsntly providing
| for the free and untrammeled coinage o.
silver, with full legal tender quality. q
suoh ratio as will provide and maintain th'
parity between gold and silver. BE IL fur
Sher
'Resolved, That committee of seven b.
appointed by the chairman of this confer
| ence to draft and inti ioduoe such bill ant
take proper steps to secure the free and full
discussion and conBlde alton thereof, and
vote of the house upon sne Dill anu al
proper amendments"
, he committee provided for in the fore
going resolution WAS comrosed as follows
Bland. sibley. Boatner. Lane, Bankhead
Bry an and Bailey. by vote of the caucus
judge Culbsrson. chairman of the caucus
WAS added to tho committee.
The only republican present was Reprs
sentative Bowers. of California. Th
ropulists were represented BY Jerr.
Sim pson and KEN. of Nebraska
s, eeohes were made by Messrs
Culberson, Bland. Hatch and Heard, o
Missouri; Grain and Bailey, Of Texas
Simpson, of Kansas; Oates and Bankhead
of Alabama; Is van. of Nebraska; Sibloy. O
Pennsylvania; Boatnar and Blanchard. o
Louisiana, and Others all n support of th
object for which the caucus had been called
Besides the action reported. motion b.
Bland was adopted authorizing the ap
pointment of committee of whips" on
from each state whose duty is shall be t.
canvass the house. discover each member
standing upon the proposed bill. and Sc
that every friend of the measure is in hi
seat and ready to vote when the time comes
Bland stated after the caucus that it ha
been in every respect satisfactory to tn
friends of free silver coinage.