The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-20
DEMOCRATS HOLD caucus
Only 1870 Members Present, But They
Were Harmonious.

Attend the Sessions OF the house
.,,d Cast His Vote on the Bland
seigniorage Biu-The New York
Members Who Have Remained Away
~ Break a Quorum Severely Criti-
cized. ......
washington. Feb IA democratic
..,,cus was held this afternoon imme-
dIsteIv after the adjournment of the
House at 4 O'Clock. The caucus was no.
+ahle for two reasons. In the first place
the utmost harmony existed among the
18o gentlemen present on every material
nroposition having reference to the Bland
seigniorage bill, and secondly, for the Sc
ere criticism INDUCED in by the members
mon the action of the New York demo
Its who have refrained from voting to
,rs~e Quorum for the past week, and
Who we're absent this afternoon. When
che caucus met Mr.. Holman read the
call which showed that ninety members
had affixed their signatures to that docu-
-nant The roll was then called and dis
closed the presence of 100 members.
When the clerk had finished it was OBJ
vious that none of the democratic mem
hers of the New York delegation were
present, although number had been
House this afternoon and heard the call.
BLAND OFFERS RESOLUTIONS.
The first speaker was Mr. Bland. the
author Of the pending bill. Mr.. Bland
offered the following preamble and reso-
buttons
hers OF the House are now absent from the
city: ana -,-..- -. ,,,.,.......,, 49,.
TI,f,c gra orfa ont an INF emit ion
ally fail to vote on the pending silver bill,
thus breaking quorum;
l. Resolved That it is the duty of every
democratic member OF TINS House now alb
sent, unless on account of sickness of himself
or family. TO Immediately return to discharge
the duties OF his ofhce.
Resolved. That it is the duty OF every
democratic member OF this House to attend
the daily sessions thereof.
g. Resolved That it is the duty Of every
democratic member 10 record his vote for or
against the pending silver bill to the end that
a quorum be obtained and said bill speedily
distressed Of and the House proceed to other
pressing business.
BLAND MAKES AN EARNEST SPEECH.
Mr.. Bland then made an earnest speech
in support of his resolution, and strongly
censured the opponents of the bill for OBJ
structing legislation. He especially ami
madverted upon those democrats who
have co-operated with the republicans in
not voting, and pursuing other questiona-
bic legislative methods.
Mr. Bland was followed by Mr..
Springer, who also favored the resolution,
and appealed to absent members to
appear and vote at the sessions
of the House. He pointed to the fact
that during the contest for the repeal of
the silver purchasing clause of the Sher-
man act, that all democrats opposed to
that measure had promptly responded
upon every roll call; had furnished the
necessary quorum, and had contented
themselves with speaking and recording
their votes.
AN APPEAL TO CONSTITUENTS.
Mr.. Springer appealed to the consti-
tuenus of absent members to urge their
members by kilograms and letters to APP
pear in the House and vote on all ques-
tions. He had never known an occasion
before when any numb of democrats
refused to come TO democratic caucus
and to take council with their democratic
brothers. He regretted this, not only on
account of the pending Legislation but on
account of the divisions and distractions
which would be engendered in every con-
gressiOnal district in the land, and make
future success impossible. The breaking
of quorum by members of a majority
ought not to be resorted to. 1t was a
parliamentary revolution and would de-
stroy the power of the party in the ma
jOrty to legislate.
When Mr.. Springer had concluded, Mr..
Bynum, of Indiana, in a brief speech,
offered resolution fixing the failure to
make quorum upon the republicans. He
offered this resolution as an amendment
10 the Bland resolution, which was still
before the caucus.
MURMURs OF DISSENT.
Instantly the hall was filed with muir
murs Of dissent, and MIR. Byhums amend
ment was at once voted down by large
majority, the explanation being that the
democrats were responsible for the
breaking OF the quorum, as they were the
party IN power, and it was their business
10 see that quorum was present.
After Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi, had
spoken briefly in favor of the bill ana res
oIuton a vote was taken and it was
adopted unanimously.
Ihereupon Mr. Bland offered another
resolution, which was as follows:
Resolved That it Is the sense Of this eau
c-S mat the pending bill shall be the special
order OF business OF the bouse TO the exclu-
son OF all other business until finally dis
posed Of.
There was no objection and the resolu-
ton was adopted.
A RADICAL RESOLUTION DODGED.
Mr.. Boatner, of Louisiana, then took
the Ioor with resolution, which was so
IduIcal that it was at once voted down
ana furnished an excuse for a motion to
ST ourn,' THAT was Immediately carried
me boatner resolution instructed the
committee on rules TO bring in an order
IMPOSING special penalties for failure to
'oIe and make a quorum and for abb
oeuUeelsm. 1t was quickly disposed of by
vote OF 81 TO AZ, after which, upon
Ioyloh OF MIR. Richardson, of Tennessee,
'Ae caucus adjourned.
THOSE WHO ATTENDED.
Inc democrats who attended the caucus
were as follows: Messrs. Abbott, Al
GleFson. Alexander, Allen. Arnold. Bailey,
ID auhhead, Bell, Berry. Black of Georgia,
BACK OF illinois, Blanchard, Bland, Boat
4er' Bower, Breckenridge Of Arkansas,
81 PREF Brookshire, Bryan, Bum Bynum,
SSddDahlss. CamineJti, Caruth, Catching,
LARK otMissOuri, Cobb OF Alabama. Cobb
CClsMlssouri, Cockrell, Cooper of Indiana,
topper OF Texas, Cox, Crawford, Crisp,
GGuIl29erson, Davey, Dearmond, benson,
RPochery, Donovan, Edmonds, Enloe,
EEpes' Flthlan, FOrman. Fyan, German,
e 1Iauy, Hall of Minnesota, Hall of Mis-
1g-II, Hammond, Hare, Hatch, Hayes,
lizard, henderson of North Caro-
+ qua holman, Hooper, Hunter,
U g,' kilgore, Kyle, Lane, Lati-
TIT, Lawson, Layton, Lester, Lisle.
NJ NJ Iln2ston, Maddox, Mcguire, Marshall,
rLalt'ln McCreary, McCulloch, Melon
HN(oIu, McDearmOn McEttrick. Mccain,
.tNA dlg, Mel aurin McMillfn McNapnv