The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-27
Committee Of Seven Appointed to
Confer with the Speaker and the
Committee on Rules.
CHANGES MAY BE MADE
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TO
DISCUSS THE MATTER FIRST.
Facts About Russia's Tender Of Gold
to the Newport News Company.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-An attempt was
made by several new members of the House
to secure a caucus of Republicans on the
bond bill Immediately after the session to-
night. The petition was started by several
Republicans, and the necessary number OF
names tfifteen) was secured. The leaders
discouraged the plan, however, and Mr..
Hooker, Of New York, at the request of
Speaker Reed, it Is said, induced several
sgners to withdraw their names, so the
movement fell through. The petition was
addressed TO the chairman of the caucus,
Mr.. Grosvenor, and besides asking for a
caucus on the bond bill, made the general
request that caucus be called whenever
party measures were to be considered in
the House.
While general caucus of the Republican
members of the House was frowned down,
the Republicans who are opposed to the
bond bill met In caucus at the Ebbitt House
tonight to mature plans for opposition.
Forty members representing twenty-three
States were present. While the Western
and Southern States were most largely in
attendance, there were also members
from the East and North. IT was claimed
by the leaders that not more than half of
the Republicans who antagonized the bond
bill attended the caucus and that they have
enough votes TO defeat the bill, unless 1t
is modified. Johnson, of California. called
the caucus to order. Mr.. Broderick, of
Kansas, was elected chairman and Mr..
Colson, of Kentucky, secretary. The senti-
ment of the caucus. as 1t was voiced in
numerous speeches, was in opposition to the
issue of bonds in time of peace. and the
greenbacks ought not to be retired, at least
in the manner prescribed by the bill. There
was no little talk to the effect that the
committee on rules should give
the rank and file of the party
opportunity to express their opinions on
proposed legislation before it was adopted
as party policy. The caucus chose COM
n1ittee of seven to confer with the Speaker
and committee on rules tomorrow and ask
for an extension of the debate on the bond
bill to two or three days. Proposals were
made that it should be attempted to secure
a party caucus. but it was decided TO be too
late for such a step. The members of the
committee of seven are Broderick. of Kan
sas: Baker. of New Hampshire; Bowers. of
California; Cannon. of Utah; Pickler, of
South Dakota: Milne, of Michigan. and
Burton. of Missouri. They will urge on the
committee on rules that there is no ex-
igency demanding the immediate passage
of the bond bill and that if one has existed
the revenue bill passed by the House to-day
should suffice to meet 1t. They will also
ask to have the rule for debating the bond
bill amended that there will be oppor-
tunity to offer amendments to the bill.
There may be an important change made
by the ways and means committee in the
bill before the scheme is brought before
the House tomorrow. AS shown by
the caucus tonight, considerable dissat-
isfaction has arisen among the Republicans
since the text of the bill was made public
the dissenters asserting that it could be
used by hostile administration for the
permanent retirement of greenbacks. In
yesterdays committee meeting a similar
charge was made by the Democrats, who
asserted the Republicans proposed to do
what they had always opposed and what
President Cleveland advocated-retirement
Of greenbacks. Accordingly there will be
committee meeting tomorrow morning to
consider an amendment prepared by Mr.
Hopkins, Of Illinois, which follows: PRO
vided, that nothing herein contained shall
be construed to repeal or modify existing
law which authorizes and directs the re-
issue of said legal-tender notes." Mr.. Hop
kins Is confident that the amendment will
be adopted.
partial canvass of the Republican men,
bers of the ways and means committee
shows that while there is practically una
ninlity among them in desiring the accom-
plishment of the object Mr.. Hopkins s
amendment has In view, there is some doubt
concerning the necessity for The amend
ment. Members say that a careful ex-
animation of the laws will be made and
the question thoroughly discussed in COM
mittee tomorrow. and that If the necessity
for amendment in this particular is devel-
oped. an amendment will be made
After the second revenue bill has been
disposed Of tomorrow night. the House
will do little business until Monday, Jan.
s. and will practically have its holiday re-
cess. of which it has partly been deprived.
next week. 1t cannot well adjourn for
more than three days. under the rules,
while the Senate is in session, but it was
decided by the committee on rules to-day
that there will be formal meetings every
third day with adjournments over, and that
no important business will be brought for
ward on the floor Under these conditions
there is little probability that there will be
a quorum OF Representatives in town next
week. Among the bills introduced to-day
were the following:
By Mr.. Cobb. of Observation-Disclosures
Isaac NJ. Mason and others to improve the
channel In the Mississippi river between
st. Louis and Cairo. H.. and yicksburg.
Miss, on certain conditions. and for cer-
tain considerations to be paid by the
United States.
BY Mr.. Picker, OF South Dakota-W,th
notifications, the bill passed at the last
session OF Congress TO codify and arrange
laws relating 10 pensions.
BY Mr. Grain, of Texas-To provide for
the redemption OF the legal-tender notes OF
the United States, and the substitution
therefor OF legal-tender notes; also, a bill
providing for the appointment by the Presi-
dent OF 4 tariff commission TO consist OF
nine members. whose duties shall be to Ia
vestigate all questions relating TO the asri-
cultural, mercantile, manufacturing, min
ing and industrial interests OF the United
the tariff. and having due regard for the
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