The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-08
still Confident His Nomination VIII
BE Confirmed, Despite the Atti-
tude OF Democratic Senators.
PLANS OF HOUSE MINORITY
EFFORTS TO BE MADE To DEFEAT
THE PORTO RICAN BILL.
publicans TO Cut On Debate
Programme OF Senate.
;Decial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April Wv. ID. Bynum
read with mingled amusement and indigna-
tion the statement In an Indianapolis after
room paper of Friday that an affidavit had
been forwarded TO Washington in which II
was specified that he had carried on an
arrangement with State Chairman Gowdy
four years ago, and was really a Republi-
can and an annex to the Gowdy commit
tee. The affidavit is represented 10 state
that Mr.. Bynum, as chairman OF the gold
Democratic national committee, with head
quarters at indianapolis. was in constant
friendly communication with Republican
Chairman Gowdy and that the maker of
the affidavit was the trusted messenger be-
tween the two. carrying important COM
munications back and forth and being on
familiar terms with both. The publication
represents that ex-senator Romus +.
Stuart secured the affidavit from the un-
named messenger and forwarded IL here to
United States Senator Jones, where IL IL
being used to defeat Mr.. Bynum's con-
firmation. Mr.. Bynum said this evening
that he would give fifty dollars for the pro-
auction of the affidavit alleged to have
been made, fifty dollars for the name Of
the man making il and fifty dollars II ex-
Senator Stuart will admit having induced
ANY one to make oath TO such state-
ment 'I will further guarantee" said Mr..
Bynum, Ito send to the penitentiary any
man making such affidavit and I>will
send to the penitentiary any man instru-
mental i'm inducing another person TO so
perjure himself. AS matter OF fact. the
headquarters Of the gold Democratic
national committee in 1896 was in Chicago
and not in Indianapolis. I had no COM
munication whatever during that cam
paign, with Mr.. Gowdy and was not I'm In
dianapolis. If any such affidavit as that
described was made it Is utterly without
foundation and was perjury from start 10
finish"
Mr. Bynum has not despaired OF confir-
nation. He believes he will get through
with flying colors one of these days He
does not. however, propose to crowd his
case and is satisfied to leave the manage
ment of the matter entirely with Senator
Fairbanks. There is one point I'm ccnnec-
ton with the Bynum case concerning which
there is a general misapprehension. A ma
iority of the Democrats who are fighting
his confirmation are doing so on the theory
that the law requires the appointment OF
four Democrats on the general board OF ap-
praisers Of the nine comprising that body.
This is a mistake. The law specifies that
not more than five members shall belong
to the same political party. Whatever Mr..
Bynum may be, he is not Republican.
and he is, therefore. fairly eligible TO the
appointment as one Of the minority. Mr..
Bynum will return to Indianapolis the first
of next week and will probably not come
back to Washington until HIS case is dis
posed of. He says he cannot do anything
more by staying here.
The Democratic members OF the House
held a caucus tonight to determine upon
plans in connection with the approaching
vote on the Porto Rican bill. About nine
~ members were present. including Mr..
Richardson, the Democratic floor leader.
and most of the other prominent figures
on the Democratic side. The chief az
tention was given to the question Of pairs.
as the vote is expected to be so close that
the result may depend upon the pairing
of members. On a motion OF Mr.. Under
wood, of Alabama, the Democratic whip
the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That all Democratic men,
bers are urged to return TO Washington
at once. That hereafter Democratic MEM
bers will make no general or permanent
pairs. That all pairs shall be made IN
writing and shall be signed by one of the
members designated by our party caucus
to arrange pairs"
Mr.. Richardson offered the following res
olution, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That as a party we declare
our unalterable opposition TO the measure
now pending before Congress. entitled a
bill temporarily to provide revenues for
the relief OF Porto Rico and hereby en-
join upon every Democrat 10 be present in
the House Of Representatives when the
vote is taken thereon and record his vote
against it
Another resolution by Mr. Underwood
was adopted asking Democratic members
to remain throughout the Porto Rican de-
bate and whenever reasonably possible TO
remain until the end OF the session Of
Congress. IL is expected that the action
taken will enable the minority TO make an
exceptionally strong showing against the
bill when the vote is taken next Wednes-
day.
Prof. Harvey w. Wiley. chief chemist Of
the Department of Agriculture. has indi-
Gated in an informal way that he Is willing
to accept the presidency of Purdue Univer-
sity During his long stay in Washington
Professor Wiley has gained great distinc-
ton. No official in the government service
stands higher.
Senator Fairbanks viii deliver the star
speech at Republican meeting in Phiadel-
phia next Tuesday. He will speak on the
text. '"rhe Republican Party"
Republican managers have decided not 70
allow protracted debate on the motion %
concur in the Senate smendnents 70 the
Porto Ricap taxtR bin next Wo6nosoey.