The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-08
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Many OF the Membcrs Refuse to Entc
II Binding Cnucus-The Resolutions.

Binuihs Snucus-lhe Nesoiutiohs.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. The
Democratic house caucus 10 consider
the Carlisle currency bill was called to-
gether promptly at . o'clock to-day
with Mr. Holman in the chair and Mr..
Anderson as secretary. All OF the party
leaders Of the house, including Speaker
Crisp and Messrs. Catchings, Outh-
waite, Springer. Wilson, Tracy and
Bland, and the Democratic members OF
the banking and currency committee
were on hand. There were one hun.
dred and fii,y-two members present.\
Mr.. Cochran, OF New York, stated
early in the day that il the caucus was
to be binding ho would not enter it, and
1t was understood that others would
pursue the same course. As assurances
were given that the caucus would be
advisory. rather than. binding, Mr..
Cochran and his associates concluded
to attend,
The issue OF the caucus was sharply
presented by tho following resolution
prepared by Mr. Springer and intro.
uuceH py speaker Cfisp:
srRiNGER's RESOLUTION.
"Rtsolred, that it is the sense OF this
Caucus that the Carlisle currency bill
should be passed by tho house OF rep
reseutatives substantially as presented
in the substitute which has been print
cd In the record and which will be Of
fered at the proper time by the chair.
man OF tho committee on banking and
currency and that the committee on
rules be requested TO report an order
tomorrow Immediately after tho read.
ing OF tho journal which shall provide
for its consideration for one more day
for general debate and thereafter under
tho five minute rule and final vote
thereon at the nearest time practicable
during the week.
Representative Livingston, OF Geor-
gla. started the caucus at lively rate
by moving that all who were in attend
ance should be bound by the action OF
tho caucus.
From various parts OF the hail came
cries OF point OF ORDER" and for time
thore was considerable confusion.
Chairman Holman finally secured or
der and sustained the point oil order.
"For thirty years." aaid Mr.. Holman,
at has been the unbroken rule in the
house Of representatives to consider tho
action OF caucus as advisory and not as
binding. II leaves members entirely
free to act accorning to their own judg.
mont"
CRISP SUPPORTS THE REso LUTON.
Speaker Crisp then roso in support OF
the resolution he had offered. lie spoke
OF the profound importance OF tho stua-
tion in which tho majority OF the house
found itself. It called for conservative
and careful action aud n united party.
The resolution was designed to test the
sentiment OF the CAUCUS on tho vital
point involved, whether tho currency
bill now before tho house should pass.
Mr.. Bland, Of Missouri, followed in
opposition TO the resolution. 1--WE have
now reached the point" said he, when
tho Democratic party for tho first time
advocate OF national banks" Ile urced
his specific objections to the bill, being
interrupted frequently by calls OF
vote" vote"
TIE PARTY HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Mr.. Springer next took tho floor in
support oil tho resolution. lIo spoke
mainly OF the importance OF caucus
In securing tho adhesion OF members.
While caucus action was not binding,
II was nevertheless regarded MS very
persuasive on tho judgment OF MON.
bora when party action was involved.
Tho present emergency must DO met
by tho Democratic party as whole
'"The responsibility is on tho party"
said he, land tho pooplo will hold tho
party accountable for its action. In
such an emergency caucus action should
be very effective in bringing mombers
OF the party together and overcoming
minor objections" "
Mr.. Springer's time was extended to
ton minutes in Wow Of his being in
charge OF tho bill.
There was n lively Interchange Of
questions and answers between Mr..
Cochran, Of Now York, and Mr..
Springer before tho latter closed.
|. Mr.. Cochran asked II Mr.. Springer
did not regard tho currency question rs
economic rather than party question
aud rs tuch u question which should
mover be admitted TO party caucus
nc.ion.
norH POLITICAL ANp ECONOMIC.
Mr.. Springer rcpliod that the question
was both party and IN economic ono,
but in tho present caso the party would