Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-02-20
SHALL BE THE SPECIAL ORDER.

The Democratic Members of Congress
| In Caucus Last Might Adopted Reso-
lutfens offered by Mr.. bland, one of
which In That His seignforage Bill
Shall be the Special order OF Bust.
ness of the House 60 the Exclusion
of All Else, and Until It L. Finally
Disposed or.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA democratic
caucus was held this afternoon immediate
ly after the adjournment of the house at
o'clock. II was noticeable for two reasons,
for the perfect harmony which existed
among those present upon every material
proposition having reference to the Bland
seigniorsge bill, and second the severity of
criticism INDUCED by members upon the
action of the New York members who have
refrained from voting.
When the caucus met Mr.. Holman read
tie call, which showed that ninety MEM
bers had affixed their signatures to the
document. When the clerk had finished
it was obvious that none of the democrats
of the New York delegation were present,
although a number had bs 81 In attendance
at the sessions of the house and heard the
call read. Mr.. Bland of Missouri, the
author of the pending bill, offered the fol-
lowing:
Whereas, Thirty-two democratic mem
bers of the house are now absent from the
city, and
Whereas, Twenty eight democrats are
present and Intentionally fail to vote on
the pending silver bill, breaking Q quo
rum,
Resolved, first. tina. 1t Is the duty of
every democratic member of this house
now absent, unless on account of sickness
of himself or family to Immediately return
&c discharge the duties of his Office.
Resolved, second, That 1t is the duty of
every democratic member of this house to
attend the daily sessions thereof.
Resolved, third, That 1t is the duty of
every democratic member to record his
vote for or against the pending silver bill
to the end, that quorum be obtained aud
said bill be speedily disposed of and pro-
coed to other pressing business.
Mr.. Bland then made an earnest speech
in support of his resolution.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois also advocated
the resolution and appealed to absent mem
bers to appear at the sessions. He stated
that during the contest for the repeal of
the silver purchasing clause of the Sher-
man act 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. Mr..
Springer appealed to the constituents of
absent members to urge their members by
kilograms and letters to appear In the
house and vote on all questions. He had
never known an occasion bsfore when q
number of democrats refused to come into
a democratic caucus and take counsel with
their brothers.
Mr.. Bynum in a. brief speech offered Q
resolution fixing the failure to make a
quorum upon the republicans. He offered
1t as an amendment to the Bland resolu-
murmurs of dissent and the Bynum
resolution was voted down by q large
me- ority, the explanation being that the
democrats were responsible for the break
ing of the quorum, as they were the party
In power and 1t was their business to see
that a quorum was present. After Mr..
Williams of Mississippi had spoken briefly
In favor of the Bland resolutions 3 vote
was taken and they were adopted
Thereupon Mr.. Bland offered a resolution
as follows:
Resolved, That It Is the sense of this
caucus that the pending bill shall bs the
especial orde: of business of the house to
the exclusion of all other business until
finally disposed of.
TIE resolution was adopted. Mr.. Boat
ner of Louisiana then off red Q resolution
tnstructing the committee on rules to
bring in an order imposing suitable psn-
alties for failure to vote and make q quo
by q vote of 81 to Al, after which the can
ono dsaurpaI