The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-20
THEIR DTTf 10 VOfF.
Resolutions in Regard to lhe Bland silver
BiiI-Plain Talk.


Resolutions in Regard to The Bland silver
BiiI-Piain Talk.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Feb. D.-The
Democratic caucus this afternoon. which
WAS held Immediately after the adjourn
ment OF the House at O'Clock. was
noticeable for two reasons. Ia the hfst
place the utmost harmony existed among
the one hundred and thirty gentlemen
present on every material proposition
having reference 20 the Bland sicSniorage
bill and secondly for the severe criticism
INDUCED in by the members upon the
action OF the New York Democrats who
have refra.ned from voting 10 make
quorum for the past week, and who
were absent this afternoon.
When the caucus met Mr.. Holman read
the call which showed that ninety mem
bers had affixed their signatures TO the
document The roll was then called. and
disclosed the presence Of one hundred
and thirty members. When the clerk had
finished it was Obvious that none of the
| Democratic members Of thC New York
delegation were present. although NUM-
ber had been la attendance at the ses-
sions of The House this afternoon and
heard the call read
Mu.t Vote Ooe WAY.
The first speaker was Mr.. Bland. the
author of the pending bill Mr.. Bland
off red the following preamble and reso-
uti0ns.
Whereas thrty-two Democratic mem
hers Of the House are now absent from
the city. and whereas twenty-eignt DEM
ocratic members Of the House are present
/ and Intentionally fail % vote on the pend
ing silver bill. thus breaking q quorum,
Resolved. l. That il is the duty OF every
! Democratic member Of this House now
absent. unless on account Of sickness OF
himself or family 10 Immediately return
/ 10 discharge the duty OF his Office.
| Resolved 2. That # IS the duty Of
| every Democratic member of this House
10 attend the daily sessions thereof
Resolved. 3. That 10 Is the duty Of
| every Democratic member 10 record ms
vote for or against the pending silver
| bill. TO the end that . quorum he obtained
and said bin speedily disposed Of and the
House proceed to other pressing business.
some Enrne,, Apprais
Mr.. Bland then made an earnest
speech i'm support of his resolution and
strongly consured the opponents Of the
bill for obstructing legislation. lie es-
peclally animadverted upon those Demo
| Gratis who have c0onerated with the
! ing other questionable legislative meth
DDS
Mr.. Bland was followed by Mr.. Sprin-
| GER. who also favored the resolution, ana
appealed 90 absent members to appear
/ and vote at the sessions or the House.
! He pointed 10 the fact that during the
contest Of the repal Of the silver pur-
chasing clause Of the Sherman act, that
! an Democrats opposed 20 that mea-
sure had promptly responded upon every
ron call. had farnstcd the necessary
quorum and had contented themselves
with speaking and recording them
selves.
Mr.. Springer appealed to the c0nstltu-
ents Of absent members to urge their
! members by telegrams and letters TO APP
| near i'm the House and vote on all qucs-
tions. He had never known an occasion
before when any number Of Democrats
refused 10 come 10 "A Democratic caucus
and take counsel with their Democratic
brothers. lie regretted this not only on
account Of pending legislation, but Oh
account OF divisions and dissensions
which would be engendered in every con
gressional district I'm the land and make
future sucgcss impossible.
The breaking of "a quorum by ma
iS,tty ought not 90 be rcsorted 10. 1t was
parliamentary revolution, and would de
stroy the power Of the party in the ma
jOrity TO legslate.
hsrrnur- of Dissent.
When Mr. Springer had concluded Mr.
Bvnum of Indiana. in brief speech of
fercd "A resolution. fixing the failure &
make quorum on the Republicans. IL
offered this resolution as an amendmen
10 the Bland resolution, which was still
before the caucus. Instantly the bal
WAS filled with murmurs of dissent. an
the Bynum amendment WAS at one
voted down by large majority, III
explanation being that the Democrat
were responsible for the breaking OF IN
quorum. and they were the party 4
power and II was their business TO Sc
that a quorum was present. After Nh
williams. Of Mississippi. had spoken briei
| ly in favor Of the Bland resolution.
vote was taken. and it was adopted unar
imously. Thereupon Mr. Bland oiiere
another resolution. which was as follows
"Rosolved. That IL is the sense OF thi
caucus that the pending bill shall be IN
special order Of business OF the iious
to the exclusion Of all other business ii
finally disposed Of"
Ddm'i Wanr 80 be Taxed.
There was no objection, and the resoll
ton was adopted.
Mr. Boatner G.a) then took the foo
with resolution which was so radic'
that IL was at once voted down. and fui
nishcd an excuse for motion 10 a'
journ that was Immediately carried III
Boatner resolution instructed the Commi
tee on Rules 10 bring I'm an order impo'
ing special penalties for failure to vol
and make n quorum and FOR abscnieeisn
It was quickly diEOscd of by "A vote
81 TO a., after which. on motion OF Nj
Richardson (TennD, the caucus adJouIhe'