The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-25
CLEVELAND IN AgUANDARY
The Bland Bill Puzzle Causing Him
Much Worry.

rrAs His Judgment and Conscience
Dictate After Careful Study of the
Question-A Congressman Called
Down.
Washington, March 24.-About the cap
itol the impression is deepening that
President Cleveland win veto the seign-
ior3re bill. A gentleman who shares Idr.
CIeyelands s confidence to a large degree,
and who himself is a sturdy opponent of
the bill, stated this afternoon that there
was no doubt of the Presidents action in
the matter This gentleman saw the
President early in the day. Mr.. Cleve-
land gave no intimations of his purpose,
but said he was considering the bill
calmly and dispassionately, and without
regard to any other consideration except
its effect upon the country. If that effect
would be good, in his Judgment, he would
sign it if it would be injurious, he would
veto it, There could be, he said, no mid
die course. 1t was not a question of
courage. he said, but whether the bill
was right or wrong, and his actions re-
garding the measure would be based
wholly upon the conclusions to be drawn
from these propositions.
TIE PRESIDENT SHOWING THE WORRY.
The Presidents visitor stated that
Mir Cleveland was showing the effect of
the terrible pressure which had been
brought to bear upon him for and against
the bill. He looked years older than he
did when he returned from his hunting
Trip 4 few weeks ago.
More than a dozen members of congress
called upon him to-day and urged him to
sign the bill. They were all southern and
western men, and one of the number, it is
reported took it upon himself to read the
President a lecture regarding his disposi-
tiOu of the bill and the effect of a veto in
the south. This gentleman stated that
under these cirCums stances it would be
impossible to elect democratic congress
man from the state which he represented,
and that populists and republicans would
be substituted in the next House for the
present democratic delegation.
A ROLAND FOR HIS OLIVER.
The President is said to have been Wis
IDLY annoyed at this partisan appeal, and
expressed himself in sharp terms in reply,
stating in effect that the subject was one
which required consideration from a
higher standpoint than that of political
eypediency. From what the President is
quoted as saying to-day, it is obvious that
he Will avail himself of the full limit of
time afforded him in which to dispose Of
the bill. Whether he signs it or vetoes it
his action will not be taken in all proba-
bility before Thursday Of next week.
FIFTEEN CoNGREssMEN IN A BUNCH.
At one time fifteen friends Of the
segnlOrage bill were ranged about the
President early this morning, pleading
with him. They had come in singly and
In state delegations. Representatives
Williams, FOrman and Mcdonald. of Hi
nois, came with Representatives Martin,
BrOOkShlre and McNagy, of Indiana.
Accompanying the Tndianaians was son
OF eN-Secretary of the Treasury Hugh
MCCullOgh, who came as western
banker to urge the signing Of the bill.
Representative Bryan, of Nebraska,
was there to urge the desires of the far
northwest that the bill be signed
Representative McMillin of the ways
and means committee, was just back from
visit to his state which satisfied him,
ne SAID, that silver veto meant political
disaster
Representatives Tucker and Wise of
Virginia were there with the junior Vir-
ginia senator, Mr.. Hunton, on the same
mission
Representatives Patterson of Tennes-
see, Wheeler of Alabama, Caruth of Ken
IlnusJ lvania, added to the formidable
gathering of congressional leaders.
LFery one of the callers was an ardent
SILVER man, except, possibly, Representa-
i've Black, of Chicago, and he, too, was
Inere to urge that the people of Illinois
wanted the Bland bill signed.
THE PRESIDENT VERY CORDIAL.
The President had a cordial greeting
Ior the various silver men and showed
Huch interest in the various pleas pre-
seuJeu. One congressman after another
was heard. They spoke with great earn
H1alness. No effort was made to
conceal the feeling that the
eMStence of the present majority
III congress depended on the
signing of the bill. Representative Nc
william, Of Tennessee, said that 10 demo-
OIdJ could be elected to congress in his
SyaIe who would endorse a silver veto
ne was Just back from Tennessee, where,
ne sand, the most intense feeling existed
III OF position TO a veto.
representative BRYAN, of Nebraska
.IoA lor his text the significant fact that
Se SS.e center of population in the United
II,1tes was 500 miles west of New York.
lie salu that the northwestern people,
GGuelher right or wrong, feared that the
tysiuent had closed his eyes to them
~1u thought only of the east.
CLEVELAND KNOWS NO SECTION.
Ar. Cleveland interrupted to say that
&C anew no section, and that he had the
tT9epesJ desire TO act for the welfare of
'"s whole people, east and west alike.
representatives Brookshire and Nc
D'lolu voiced the views of the Indiana
0II , Illinois respectively.
men occurred a striking scene which
VIII long be remembered by the repre-
oC"taIlFes present. Mr. McCullogh, son
T., the eX-secretary, and now an Indiana
IbauHer had urged that the western
Sl"AerS were not afraid of an over sup
{S OF silver He instanced his own
st,A' s"..A' IN which, he said, there was a con-
S'ouU call for silver The metal was
wv er on hand in quantities greater than
b b|g demand. The people appeared to
-5'Iu IL as much as any other
C'i'ss OF money. AT this point. President
T-i'gVeland framed the reply to the many
Gus winch had been pouring in upon
,lIl I'm, ana which, up to this point, he had
' -o' attempted to answer or parry except
H. CasuaI remarks. He stood beside his
l1' re desk, with one hand resting on it,
,u ~''u SPOKE to the fifteen or twenty earnest
-- --oH oclore him His words came slowly
GfN 5iN win deep earnestness. He spoke of
iS us anxiety to help the congressman
SHI Ihelr people by such action as would
Us Isl Tor the whole country. 1t was not a
IS1sNon above maiorities in congress or
~ any oJher personal or selfish considera-
1huu. lie told them THAT tbav bad big