Omaha daily bee., 1893-08-12
BLAND WARNS DEMOCRATS
Their Efforts TO Demonetize Silver Will BE
Met with DesertiOns,
SENSATIONAL PLEA FOR THE WHITE METAL
Opening OF the Great Financial Debate
on the Floor of the Uouse-Propo-
sitions from the silver and
Anti-SiIver Men.

tend that any political party shall survive
that will lay the coniscating hand upon
America in the interest OF England and of
Europe and demonetlze silver in this coun-
try, and my friends of the eastern democ-
racy we bid you farewell when you do it,"
These were the words of Richard p Bland
in the great financial contest that opened in
the house of representatives today, and the
applause that followed the determined
utterances demonstrated that the great
silver leader had with him a material
element of the democratic party. 1t brought
every member of the house to realization
that the most serious crisis in the demo
cratic party since the dissensons of slavery
was at hand, and that the division of 1893,
like the division OF 1861, would be largely on
sectional lines
For Unconditional Repeal.
In accordance with the program last night
agreed upon, Mr.. Wilson, Immediately after
the meeting of the house, introduced a bill
Internationally repeating the Sherman pur-
chasing law, and Mr.. Bland on behalf of the
free coinage men, followed with n resolution
providing for the immediate consideration
of the bill and allotting fourteen days for
general debate before vote should be taken.
The resolution was drawn to especially Sc
cure the silver men in their demands for sep
arate votes on free coinage at the various
ratios proposed but is so explicit as to call
for final vote on the repeating bill at the
termination of debate, whether the silver
amendments prevail not. Thus, in the
house at least, the fear of filibustering is
alayed and both parties are arrayed IN line
for a fair fight and no favors.
The speeches of the day were marked for
their intensity of feeling and revealed
wide difference of opinion in party ranks.
Mr.. Rayner of Maryland was frank enough
to unoualifedy declare for monometallism
under present conditions and presented the
arguments of the repeating men In the
strongest possible light.
Mr.. Bland electrified the house by his
warning that the democratic party would
know the silver men no more if it assisted in
the last drama of the demonetization of sill
yer, and Lafe Pence, the young silver repre-
sentative from Colorado, made one OF tne
strongest maiden speeches heard in the halls
of congress within the last decade-eXcept-
ing only the eloquent tariff Grafton that
brought fame to Congressman William }.
Bryan of Nebraska year ago.
The galleries of the house were well
crowded when Immediately after the read
ing of the journal Mr.. Wilson of West Vir-
gnia offered for present consideration bill
to repeal part of the act approved July IA.
1890, (the Sherman acD.
Mr.. Wilson'S Bill.
It provides that so much of the act ap-
proved July ID, $780, as directs the secretary
of the treasury to purchase from time to
time silver bullion to the aggregate amount
of 4500, 900 ounces, much thereof as
may be offered in each month at the market
price thereof not exceeding 81 for 31ll4
grains of pure silver, and toissue in payment
for such purchase, treasury notes of the
United States, be, and the same is hereby
repealed. But this repeal shall not i'm
pair nor in any manner affect the
legal tender quality of the standard
silver dollars heretofore coined; and the
faith and credit of the United States are
hereby pledged to maintain the parity of the
gold and silver coin of the United States at
the present legal ratio, or such other ratio
as may be established by law.
Then MIR. Bland arose and desired to offer
a resolution looking to the order of pro-
ccdure.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois desired to ask n
parliamentary question He wanted to
know how the hill was to be considered.
Was it to be referred to n standing commit
teel Was il to be considered III committee
of the whole, or was it TO be considered in
the house as in commit .ee of the whole2
The speaker replied that IN the absence of
rules it was for the house to determine the
method of its consideration.
Rules Governing Debate.
Mr. Bland then presented the following
order: at is ordered by the house that
house bill No. shall be taken up for imme-
diate consideration and considered for four
teen days. During such consideration night
sessions may be held for debate only, at the
request of either side. The daily sessions
To commence at IL a. IN. and continue to 3
p. m. Eleven days of debate on the bill to
be given to general debates under the rules
of the last house regulating general debate,
the time to be equally divided between the
two sides as the speaker may specify. The
last three days of debate may be devoted to
the consideration of the bill and the amend
ments, as herein PROVE ed, under the usual
five-mnute rule of the house, as in commit
tee Of the whole house. General leave to
print is hereby granted"
The resolution further provides that n
vote shall be taken, first, on an amendment
providing for the coinage of silver at the
present ratio, If that fails, then separate
vote 10 be had on similar amendment, pro-
posing in succession ratios of from II to | to
20 to /. If the above amendments fail ii
shall be in order to offer an amendment re-
viving the act of Fobruary2S, 1878, res storing
the standard silver dollar, of what is com
monty known as the Bland-Alison act, The
vote then TO be taken on the engrossment
ana third reading of the bill, us amended, on
on the bill itself, il all amendments shall
have been voted down, and on the final pas
sage of the bill without another intervening
motion.
Mr.. Henderson of Iowa inquired as to the
meaning of the order so tar us it referred tc
the division of time between the two sides
The speaker said the right of recognition
rested with the chair, and he would rerog
nize gentlemen ON both sides of tho ques
ton.
Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio suggested that
there were more than tive sides to the ques
tion.
jerry Simp'on Has IA Say.
Mr.. Simpson of Kansas said that in som,
manner there appeared 10 be so many sides
to that question that the republicans wer,
not able to distinguish themselves from Tn,
democrats any more. IL was right that Tho
populist party should have an allotment o
time, and he suggested the members of thai
party be given three hours.
Mr. Henderson of Iowa gave notice thai
the republicans were going to control theil
full share of the time. There We're MOI
going to be sides, both controlled by the
democrats.
Mr. Bowers of California said that, us hc
understood the question, it resolved itsel
into one between the friends of free silvel
coinage and those opposed TO it, He OBJ
lected to republicans opposed to free coin
age controlling his part of the time. He wa,
In favor OF free coinage, Applause
Mr. Bland demanded the previous ques
tion on his order
Mr. Reed of Maine inquired whether i
the previous question were ordered ther
would be any time allowed for debate
The speaker replied that IN the absence O
rules there would not be.
MIR. Reed said that q proposition had beel