The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-20
AN APPEAL TO KING CAUCUS.
The Deadlock of the House
Continued.
Successful Filibustering Against the
Bland Bill.
A Decree of the Democratic Caucus In
voked in Order to Bring the Bill
to q vote-stubb orn OPP
position.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The success OF
the filibuster against the Bland silver
seieniorage bill, which has blocked the
proceedings in the house five days, to-
day forced the Democratic advocates OF
the measure to invoke decree OF King
Caucus, and Immediately after adjourn
ment Democratic caucus was held In
the hall Of the house to consider the
situation. There were present 100
Democrats, but not Democratic mem
Der Of the New York delegation, all OF
whom have joined in the obstructive
movement, was present, nor in fact any
others who have joined hands with
them. The presence, however, of Pence
OF Colorado (Populis) was significant.
Sentiment in the caucus was therefore
favorable to the bill and two resolutions
were adopted, one to keep the seignior-
age bill before the house to the exclu-
sion of everything until disposed Of,
and the other expressing the sense OF
the caucus that it was the duty Of every
Democratic member to vote either for
or against the bill. The only difference
OF opinion was as to the advisability OF
going even further than this and COM
pei members to vote or be counted il
they refuse.
Boatner presided, and advocated
resolution to instruct the committee on
rules to bring in rule to compel MEM
bers to vote or be fined, and Patterson
a--resolution instructing the speaker to
count quorum. Patterson declared
that he believed, after reviewing the
spectacle of five days, that Reed was
right, and non-voting members should
be counted to make a quorum.
The Patterson resolution was voted
down by about 20 majority, the speaker
voting against the proposition. The
caucus adjourned pending vote on the
Boatner resolution.
Bryant, Bland, Springer, Williams OF
Mississippi and Hatch advocated the
passage of two resolutions (both offered
by Bland) and in the course of the
speeches some very caustic reflection
upon the action of the eastern filibuster-
ing Democrats was INDUCED in. The
resolutions, which were as follows, were
unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That it is the sense OF this
caucus that the pending bill (the seig-
niorsge silver bilD shall be the special
business of the house to the exclusion of
all other, until disposed Of.
The second resolution is as follows:
Whereas, Thirty-two Democratic
members are now absent from the city (;
and
Whereas, Twenty-eight Democratic
members of the house were present and
Intentionally failed to vote on the pend
ing silver bill, thus breaking the quo
rum,
Resolved, First, that it is the duty of
every Democratic member OF this house
now absent, unless his absence be for
sickness of himself or family, to imme-
diately return to the discharge OF the
duties of his Office;
Resolved, Second. that it is the duty
OF every Democratic member OF the
house to attend the daily sessions there
of;
Resolved, Third, that it is the duty of
every Democratic member of the house
to record for or against the pending sil-
yer bill, to the end that quorum be
obtained, in order that the said bill
may be speedily disposed of and the
house proceed with the consideration of
other pressing business.
The Democrats who were in the city,
but refused to attend the caucus, will,
if the declaration OF Tracey is an indi-
cation, refuse to be bound by its action.
Tracey, however, asserts now that even
If the bill is brought to vote it will be
beaten. His opinion is not shared by
the Democratic house leaders, who still
positively affirm that the passage OF the
bill is only question of time. They
expect % Republican and nine Populist
votes, and with the full Democratic at
tendance, 100 Democrats, which would
leave them margin OF IL over quorum.