Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-08
CARLISLE'S BILL
To be Given One More Day OF
General Debate.
Then VIII Come Five Minute Rule
and a Vote This Week.
House Democrats in Caucus Decide Upon This
Line Of Action.

Washington, Jan. I'm caucus of the
House Democrats, this afternoon, Mr..
Livingston of Georgia, made the motion
that all those present should be bound by
the action of the caucus. There was an
instant chorus Of NO, = and point OF
order was made against the motion. The
Chair (AIr Holman) sustained the point
of order, stating in effect that the uni
form practice of 80 years was that caucuses
were advisory and not binding in charac-
ter.
Speaker Crisp took the floor and said
that the Democratic party in Congress
had kept its pledges 1t has reformed the
tariff, repealed the federal election law,
and practised economy in appropriations.
The party differed in matters affecting
currency and finances. He believed that
legislation should be had and Congress
should respond to the call of the treasury
and Of the country.
He offered resolutions advocating the
passage of the Carlisle currency bin by the
House, and that the committee or rules
report an order, tomorrow, to provide for
the consideration of the bill with one more
day for general debate, and thereafter I'M
der the five minute rule, and final vote
at the earliest practicable time this week,
Mr.. Bland characterized the bill rs a
reputation of the timc-honored princi-
pies of the Democratic party from the days
of Jefferson, Benton and Others OF the
great leaders, down to the present time,
He stated with great emphasis that he
would never support n measure which
extended the power of national banks.
He said he was willing to so back to the
Democratic doctrine of coming both
metals and abollshing the 10 per cent.
tax on state banks.
After some debate, Mr.. Spcrry advo-
Gated the bill introduced by him, last week,
which provides for funding the legal ten
der and the issuance of a low interest bear
ing bond. He moved that the pending
resolution be amended to read that it is
the sense of the caucus that the bill intro
ducod by him be passed by the House
Mr. Terry offered an amendment au-
thorizing each state treasurer to buy silver
bullion sufficient to coin a dollar for every
inha bitant of the state; to present it to
the United States treasurer the latter to
coin it into silver dollars and in turn pre-
sent it to the state treasurer.
Mr. Coffeen offered resolution cX-
tending the time for general debate three
days. Speaker Crisp made a point of or
der against it, and the point was sus-
tanned. Mr.. Crisp demanded the previous
question on the resolution introduced by
him and the amendment. The previous
question was ordered. The Terry amend
ment was defeated: 81 nays, 81 ayes.
The Spcrry amendment was rejected by
an overwhelming majority, there being
but 10 votes in its favor.
The second proposition was as to the
limitation of debate by the committee on
rules. The first proposition was carried,
81 yeas to 80 noes, and the second PROPOSE
ton without material objection. Caucus
adjourned.
Seventy five Democratic members We're
absent from the caucus. Mr.. Springer be
lieves that many of those who opposed the
Crisp resolution, today, will support the
Carlisle bill in the end, more especially as
some believe it will be amended to be
more in conformity with their amend
ments. He thinks the majority of the rs
absentees will also support the bill and it
will carry by a fair majoritDy.
Other gentlemen regard the spirit dis
played at the caucus as indicating the
death of the measure. They say the
speeches in opposition to the bill show
that the extreme silver men, as we'll as
the opponents of free silver, with but few
exceptions, have Joined hands in opposi-
ton to the measure, and their opposition
will be supplemented by the solid vote of
the Republicans and Populists, and that
as n result the measure cannot pass the
House.