Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-02
Necessity for House Democrats to
Formulate a Definite Policy.
What REPRESENTATIVE COOHBS SAYS
Leaders Look for the Defeat OF
the Carlisle Bill.
A NEW RULE NEEDED

The question OF a caucus is being very
generally discussed among the democrats
of the House, but nothing has been decided
on, and no one knows just what to look
for. Caucuses seldom accomplish anything
but as they do not know what else to do
some think the best thing is to assemble
together and talk it out. In this connec-
ton the proposition is made that custom
should be violated and the Speaker should
be asked to preside over the caucus. What
is desired to be avoided il caucus is
held is endless discussion of theories. and
it Is thought that there might be some
chance of reaching a conclusion il one
pre- position after another of all those
which have been made could be put to
vote and the sense of the party taken.
Some of the most observant members of
the House are now satisfied that the Car
. isle bilI-or rather. the substitute-which
will be voted on IN place of the original
bill will be defeated in the House, and
that IL will be incumbent upon the ma
torfCy to determine what they will do and
then go ahead at once and do it,
Must Have n Definite Policy.
To accomplish anything they must fix
upon some definite general policy-either
that they will adopt the principle of the
Carlisle plan or will not; that they Will
authorize the issue of bonds or will not;
that they will extend the function of is
suing currency to the state banks or will
not 1t is seen that as far as the Carlisle
plan is concerned the mistake was made of
reporting a bill before the policy or the
party was fixed. Such shrewd observers
as Culberson of Texas think that the bill
is going 20 be defeated. and an issue of
per cent bonds, upon which 10 continue
the pres ant national bank system, and
through which the greenbackS VIII be re-
tired, will be ultimately authorized
1t is felt that It ought to be determined
In caucus whether a majority of the party
are in favor of the issue of bonds and the
perpetuation of the national bank system,
and whether or not they want to have
state bank currency under any conditions.
What Mr.. Coombs Says.
Representative Coombs says that in his
opinion there is no use in having caucus
unless it Is presided ever by the very best
presiding officer they have, and the ques-
tions involving the policy of the party are
put promptly. one after another, until the
sentiment of a majority Is ascertained.
They should then, in his Judgment, pro-
coed to determine how those things must
generally favored, which are not antago-
nistic to each other, may be combined. He
has a great deal of faith in the proposition
TO issue bonds as basis of bank note cur
rency and to retire all the legal tender
notes. He would permit an issue of notes
up to par of z per cent bonds, and would
let the state banks become banks of issue
on the same security. To procure greater
elasticity in case of emergency he would.
where banks do not take cut on bonds
currency to exceed I5 per cent of their
capital stock, permit issue of notes to the
amount of 25 per cent Of their capital
stock in interest-bearing notes.
New Rule Wanted.
One trouble about getting the bill now
before the House into such a shape as to
fully meet the approval of a majority is
that the rules of the House do not give
sufficient latitude of amendment. 1t is as
sumed by the rules that bill has been
put through all the preliminary prepara-
ton in the committee. In the present in
stance. however, the committee practically
returned the measure to the House without
consideration, and asked the House to do
all the work. If ii We're to the committee.
This renders desirable greater latitude of
anne ndment and substitution than ordinary,
and IL is believed that rule giving ex
ceptional opportunity for substitution. as
well as fixing the time for a final vote, will
be reported from the committee.