The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-08
ClRLISLE'S BILL IN CAUCUS.
Democratic Members Of the House Talk
Over The Situation.


This Week-The Members of the eau
Gus Not Bound by It's Action.
washington Jan. Three hours were
spent in caucus this afternoon by the
democrats Of the House. The purpose was
+o secure an exchange of views regarding
tbe Carlisle banking bill, which was
taken up for debate a week before the
holiday recess. and which is still before
the House. Mr.. Holman presided and l52
members answered to their names at roll
call.
Immediately upon the conclusion Of the
roll call. Mr.. Livingston of Georgia made
a motion that all those present should be
bound by the action Of the caucus.
The chamber was rapidly filing up with
members and at the time the Livingston
motion was made fully 175 democrats were
in their seats. There was an instant cho-
rus of NO" and point of order was made
against it.
The chair sustained the point of order
stating in effect that the uniform practice
Of thirty years was that caucuses are ad-
yisory and not binding in their character.
Mr.. Springer moved that all speeches be
limited to five minutes.
Speaker Crisp took the floor and said
that the Democratic party in congress has
kept its pledges. It has reformed the tar
if, repealed the federal election law and
practiced economy in the appropriations.
The party has differed in matters affect
ing the currency and finances. The Secre-
tary of the treasury has formulated a
bill The question is can the party agree
upon something at this short session? He
believed legislation should be had and that
congress should respond TO the call of the
treasury and of the country. He then offer
ed the following resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
caucus that the Carlisle currency bill
should be passed by the House of Rep
resentatives, substantially as presented
in the substitute which has been printed in
the Record, and which Will be offered at
the proper time by the chairman of the
committee en- banking and currency, and
that the committee on rules be requested
10 report dn order Tomorrow, Immediate
ly ater the reading of the journal, which
shall provide for its consideration for one
more day for general debate and thereaf-
Ter under the five-minute rule, and a final
vote there at the earliest practicable time
during this week.
Mr.. Sperry of Connecticut moved that
the pending resolution be so amended as
TO read that it is the sense of the caucus
that the bill introduced by him shall be
passed by the House.
Mr.. Terry of Arkansas offered an
amendment authorizing each state treas
urer 10 buy silver bullion sufficient in
amount to coin a dollar for every inhabi-
tant Of the state. and to present it TO the
United States treasurer, the latter to coin
1t into silver dollars and in turn present
It to the state treasurer.
After speeches by Nessrs. Hall of Mis-
souri,, and Brickner of Wisconsin, Mr..
Voffen of Wyoming offered a resolution
extending the time for general debate by
three days.
Speaker Crisp made a point of order
against it, and the point was sustained
Mr. Crisp then demanded the previous
question on the resolution introduced by
him and the amendments.
The previous question was ordered.
The Terry amendment was first consid-
cred. 1t was defeated by vote of 81
nays to "a ayes.
Mr. Sperry's amendment was then re-
9ected by an overwhelming majority, there
being but thirteen votes in its favor. These
We're cast by Messrs. Wells and Brickner
OF Wisconsin, Sperry and Deforrest of
Connecticut, McAleer of Pennsylvania,
Harter and Pierson of Ohio, Fielder of
-New Jersey, and Lockwood, Coombs, Hen
urlX Lacey and Strauss of New York.
Mr Crisp's resolution was finally adopt
ed by vote of 81 to 50.
lhe vote showed that seventy-five demo-
cratic members of the House were not
present at the caucus. This vote and the
speeches for and against the bill seemed
10 be differently interpreted. Mr.. Springer,
Ior example, believes that many of those
VINO opposed the Crisp resolution to-day
WI support the Carlisle bill in the end,
Iue more especially as some Of them are
constrained to believe that it viii be
amended so as to be more in conformity
win their sentiments. He says that to
argue that the tifty-nine gentlemen who
opposed the resolution will also oppose
lc slc Dill would be to say that the caucus
Has no persuasive power, a fact which he
- inclined strongly TO dispute. He be-
He'es that majority of the seventy-five
"Dsentees will also support the bill, and
1dl II will carry by d fair majority.
OIher gentlemen regard the spirit dis
Iloyed at the caucus as indicating the
uealn OF the measure. They say that the
speeches in opposition to the bill show
.tdI lne extreme silver men, as well as
Nle opponents Of free silver with but few
.Acepuons, have joined hands in opposi-
NoH 10 the measure, and that their op-
poslton viii be supplemented by the solid
.ole OF the republicans and populists, and
,i.al as result the measure cannot pass
Ohe or the curious incidents of the caucus
was The meager support accorded to the
~.neHament offered by Mr.. Sperry of Con-
ascucut the purpose of which was to
.golnIHlt the caucus to an Endorsement of
ie OH introduced by him last week to
rI.u The greenbacks and the treasury
, rSles INTO bonds. An analysis of the vote
'en Ior this amendment shows that four
t1s thirteen supporters are western
IN Two from Ohio and two from Wis
tSonsln' while the remaining nine are from
Lq1aliy surprising was the large vote
go 10 the Terry amendment, which
az sS,toFized .ized the coinage by the Secretary
me treasury of a silver dollar of 412la
ss+aIHs Tor each inhabitant Of the forty
- oI states and territories. This amend
- - received the support Of fifty-four
t,sADers and was defeated by bare ma
!oilty of ten.
e. ~. crisp resolution was divided The
-4OHu proposition was as to the limita-
,re T9n o. debate by the committee on rules
Wy, AIst proposition was carried by a
sse OF eighty-one ayes to ffty-nine noes.
stal i,9 me second proposition without mate
~ ooJectlon. The New York members
Ho voted for the first pronosition were