The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-03
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
Conference of Members of House of
Representatives on Procedure
for the Session.

tention at the earliest practicable mo-
Inent to accord to the peoples OF other
lands now in our power the same right
of self-government which we claim for
ourselves"
The presenting of this resolution pre-
cipitated row. Mr.. Richardson at
tempted to prevent the reading of it by
motion to refer all resolutions TO 4
special committee of twelve, who should
report at a future caucus. but his mo-
tion was ruled out of order pending the
reading of the resolution.
When the reading was concluded. Mr..
Ball, of Texas, gave notice that ne
would offer the Kansas City platform
as substitute.
This drew replies from Mr.. Fitzger-
aid. of New York, and Mr.. McDermont,
New Jersey, both of whom protested
against the injection of the financial
issue into the democratic councils. 'Wc
can never win," declared Mr.. Fitzger-
ald." if we do not discard the heresy
of free silver
I'VE can never win," retorted Mr..
Ball. unless men calling themselves
democrats support the national plat
form of the democratic party"
After further sharp exchanges Mr..
Richardson succeeded in quelling the
| disturbance by renewing his motion to
refer all resolutions to a special COM
! mittee of twelve to be appointed by
| the chairman of the caucus. This mo-
ton prevailed. The following resol'I-
tons were then introduced:
By Representative Finley. of South
Carolina:
Resolved. That the Hon. James D.
| Richardson and the democratic men,
| bers of the house committee on rules
when appointed and three members TO
be appointed by them constitute a COM
mittee to have in charge the control
| and direction of the policy Of the demo-
| cratic party in the house OF representa-
| tives except as ordered by a caucus Of
| the party.
Mr.. BurleSon, of Texas:
Resolved, That every representa- tive
| in congress participating in this eau
| Gus shall be governed by the action of
| said caucus where the same does not
conflict with the declaration of princi-
| piles and policies set forth in the last
platform adopted by the democratic
| party in national convention assem- bled
| Resolved, That the best interests of
| of the democratic party will be sub
| served by the membership of said party
| in congress refraining from soliciting
| patronage at the hands of the admins
| tration."
| By Representative Fitzgerald. OF
New York:
| Resolved. That we oppose any inter
| ference with the existing standard OF
values. That question has been set
| tied by repeated and overwhelming eX-
pressions of popular sentiment. and
must be definitely closed by the statu-
| tory recognition of gold as the sole
standard. The democracy of New
York has the very greatest respect fol
| their brethren who for many years
sought the establishment of a bi-metal
lie standard: but the interests of capi-
| tai and labor alike. and above all the
interests of the wage earners of the
country forbid that the legal standard
| Of value be uncertain"
By Representative Newlands. of Ne
| vada:
Resolved, That an advisory commit
tee be selected consisting OF one mem
| ber from each state selected bv the
district delegation of such state OF
which the leader of the minority shall
be chairman and the whip shall be
secretary"
These resolutions having been referr-
ed. motion was made and carried, that
the committee which is to be appointed
to consider them shall report to a eau
Gus to meet Friday evening January
10th. The caucus then adjourned
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