The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-03
House Republicans Decide to Post
pOne Financial Legislation
UNTIL NEXT SESSION
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO CON-
SIDER THE SUBJECT.
viii Submit Recommendations at the
First Session of the Next Congress
Cannon Advised Postponement
Until After the Presidential Elec-
tion-Payne Urged Action.

Washington, Feb. 1.-The Republican
members of the house OF representa-
tives met in caucus at eight o'clock to-
night to determine upon a course of ac-
! ton in regard to framing financial leg
islation. The meeting was well attend
ed. most of the prominent figures on the
Republican side of the chamber being
present. Speaker Reed did not attend,
having previously made another en-
gagement.
General GrosvenOr, chairman OF the
caucus, presided, and Mr.. Bennett of
New York was chosen as secretary 10
succeed Mr.. Hooker, resigned.
Representative Henderson of Iowa
presented the following resolution,
which served as q text for all the dis
cussion of the evening:
Resolved, That a committee of
eleven members of the present house OF
representatives, who are members Of
the Fifty-sixth congress, shall be ap-
pointed by the chairman of this caucus
for the purpose of considering monetary
legislation and submitting their recon-
mendations to d Republican caucus at
the first session of the Fifty-sixth con-
gresS, with authority to confer with a
like committee from the senate"
The discussion on this resolution pro-
ceeded with much animation for more
than an hour. There was but little diff
ference of opinion on the main point
that it would be futile to attempt finan-
cial legislation at this late day in the
present session.
Mr.. Cannon Of Illinois questioned the
wisdom of the resolution, although he
said he would not oppose it with mis-
vote. He expressed the strong belief,
however, that the present prosperity
Of h i
enter upon financial discussions. He
particularly referred to the enormous
exports within recent months and the
great money balance in our favor. This,
he thought, showed such a healthy
economic condition that it should be
left alone.
Mr.. Cannon said he did not think any
financial legislation could be carried
through until after the next presiden-
tial election.
Mr.. Payne, the recently appointed
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee, did not coincide with Mr. Can
mons objections and strongly favored
the proposed plan of committing the
entire financial subject to a caucus
committee. 1t would permit careful
consideration of the question during the
coming months, and the preparation OF
such Well-matured plan as would
commend itself on all hands. MIR.
Payne expressed the belief that such a
measure, conservative and intelligent.
could be passed very early in the next
session of congress.
The other speeches were substantially
along the same line, general adherence
being given to the plan of a caucus
committee representing all sections and
interests. This. it was pointed out,
would be no reflection on the regular
house committees which deal with
banking and currency and with coin
age, as such committees end with the
session, while the caucus committee.
being made up of reelected members.
could pursue its labors without refer
ence to the close of the session.
When the vote was taken it was lit
tie short of unanimous, viz: Yeas. 50:
nays, /. The chairman announced Hiat
the names of the members CT the new
finance committee would not be an
nounced at present, as some time would
be required to learn the wishes of
members concerning the hard work
likely TO be involved in this service and
also to make uD a strong organization.
thoroughly representative in character.
At 10 o'clock the caucus adjourned.