Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-02-12
The Caucus EAST Night.

modification of the tariff assembled last
night in the House of Representatives.
About fifty members, chiefly from the
Southern States, was present. The whole
Democratic delegation from Illinois was
present, as were two members from Min
nesota. one from, Ohio and t,vo from New
York. No member from Pcunsylyania
was in attendance.
Mr.. j. Cochrano, of New York. was cal.
led to the Chair, and Alessrs. Cayanaurh.
of Minnesota, and Ruflin. of North Carroll.
ma, were appointed Secretaries.
Mr.. Miilson of Virginia said thathe
was not inclined to be bound by the action
of the caucus. He thought that the
House was the proper place for settling the
question.
idf. Garrett, 2f virginia, offered res0-
luton appointing committee of FIVE totakc
into consideration the subject of retrencl-
ment aud reform in the expenditures of the
Government, and declaring hgaipst n nlodi-
iication of tho tariff.
MIR. Stewart, of Maryland, said that he
was not satisfied thatcould properly,attend
the caucus He was now, and had always
been, in favor of judicious tariff, for pur-
poses of sufficient revenue.
Mr. Crawford, of Georgia, read the call
under which the caucus lad assembled.
All opposed to changein the tariff, were
invited to attend but it was understood
that all Democrats were welcome, whatcv-
cr might be their opinions on tho subject
under discussion.
MIR. Houston, of .llabama, was not in-
clned to attend an adjourned mcetingof
the caucus. Those present fully reprcsen-
ted the feree md opiniQG eesthnsa opposed
to a change in the tariff.
Mcssrs. Barksdale, of Mississippi, and
Miles, of South Carolina, declared thcnl-
selves opposed to any modification of the
tariff. They were pledged to- and in favor
of free trade and direct taxation.
MIR. Lamar, of Mississippi, opposcda
change in the tariff, and tfought the time
had como when il was necessary for the
Democratic party to take decided posi-
trn on the subject
MIR. Stephens, of Georgia, said when he
first entered Congress in1843, the expcn-
ses OF the Government were only twenty
millions per annum, The country had gom,
through the expensive Mexican war, with
siAty-three thousand soldiers III the field,
for tttythrec millions, and now, in time Of
peace, the estimates were seventy.thrcc
millions. Many expenditures were wholly
unnecessary. and rcioS'n WAS inaispcnsally
needed, lie believed forty millions an
abundance fcr the NATIONAL expense He
was therefore opposed toan increase of du-
ties, and said The expenditures should be-
brought withimetllg present receipts.
MIR. Morris, ctSIts, asked tho Chairman
OF the Commttce4Qf Ways and Means Mr.,
Phelps, of Mo.a,whether the committees
Intended to rcp6ata bill for an increase Of
the tariff, and suggested whcthcr il would
not be bctter to prepare such a bill, and
submit it to the inspection of the caucus
at an adjourned meeting.
Mr.. Phelps replied that he had for some
the tariff, for the purpose of increasing the
revenue. but he h.d to5inf,r,, tl,c ,Sntlc.
man tl,at tbe Conn,ittn, ~ ~. IA NI
l,oi on,o ~ q. - y ~ ~, iN
FL ,,'e, 0g"e - ue"si ipcN' nla tNcre was
i.,ie ,,, noPc "a inc committee reporting q
bill which would find favor with the House.
Mr.. Crawford, of Ga, thought, from in
formation derived mt the Treasury Dcpart-
mont. that sufficient rolinf 81 tI,,S q, o,.or, 5
n,ent ,n;gbt bo .ff,,rl, = ~. ~,
,ro,o,,r,, - 49,. 1osS e"o
nG'e ~" "i toco 20 on 0,oe nc OF TWO
So"is' authprlzihS the Ss-V,UoV,VVO now
Outstanding 50 be retissucd. lie submitted
two resolutions ps asubstitute for that of
Mr. Garnett of Ea; FIRST, that it is mex
nodient tn modify tl,c tor;f} ssoco,,ll,, tl,,t
z ~ S''''S