The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-02-04

fRTBAY MOI MING -. FEpRuAgyx ,s,a
-. 0~0-~>--7-
THE TARIFF QuFsTI0N-DEMOCRATI CAu.
CTS

| eaueus of the democratic members of the
heuse of Representa- tves, who are opposed 70 q
protective tariff, was held on Tuesday night, Mr.
John Coehrane, of New York, officia,ipg as chair
| man, and Messrs. Rufin, Of North Carolina. .and
Csvanansh, of Minnesota, acting AZ Secretaries
About my members were present, principall,
from the South. OF the North two were from,
New York, two from Minnesota, one from Ohio
| and five from Illinois.
Mr.. Mtilson, Of Va, said he was uuwilIisy ~
be bound by the action Of the cascus Tba uorsC
OF representatives was the proper paco for action
ne 'Heren series OF resolutions. declaring l. tr
De ihexpeoient TO disturb the present tariff. and
against protection or specific duties
Mr. Phelps, OF Missouri, was opposed 70 sn,cisr
dafes and protection in any FORM but was In f,vo,
| OF modification Of the tariff for rsyenua -
poses, to meet the demands OF the treasury. Ue
remarked that there should be retrencbman, ~
expenditures. VI
Mr. Barksdale, of Mississippi, was oppos.d n
al duties He favored free trade and direct tara
! tion. " A"-
Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, epoke to the .,ms
effect. " '"' s""e
Mr. Stewart, of Mary land, did not know wbetber
ne was properly present under the call az he was
IN tavor OF Jadicious tariff for revenue purnoses
ne thonsht the present tariff was not perfect and
mar change might be made TO the advantage ot
| the country. "
Mr.. Crawford. of Georgia, read the call which
invited 10 Tue caucus all members OF the House O,
| Representatives, who were opposed to protection
ahd speclnc duties, and signed by MANY of the
gentlemen who are now present Eut the rnder
| standing was that all Democrats were invited to
alter d. ~ "
NJ. Houston, of Alabama, thought differently
lie was willing TO confer with those only who
were opposed to protection and specific dutie. and
De did not care 10 attend meeting of pentIemap
entertaining variant opinions for conference.
Mt. Morris, of Illinois, wanted the chairman on
Il ppi Aaar NJ nt,aI.-
| swer whether the Committee intend 70 rernrt any
| tariff BILL and If so. of what character
Mr. Phelps replied that he could answer for
himself He was disposed 10 report a bill modi.
| lying the tariff. in order to Increase the revenue
ofthe country, but he had to inform the gentle.
! man that the Committee had come to IA dead lock.
Mr. Morris suggested 10 Mr.. Phelps to prepare
| biii and submit it at al adjourned meeting for
| consideration.
Mr. Garnett, OF Virginia, opposed the mcdfca.
ton OF the tariff. lie alluded to the fact that the
| present expenses Of the Government were more
| than necessary. lie consid red il the dutv of the
| Deine cratic party to inaugurate system Of res
| trenChneut aud reform. lie offered resolution
| for the appointment of committee of fve to re.
| port on the means by which the eXpsuses of the
| Government may be reduced
| SIR Lamar, OF Mississippi, opposed to sps-
| cfc duties. He thought it high time for the
| Democratic party to define lis position on the
| farif, and allow the present law to have fair
| trial
| Mr. Stephens OF Georgia, said that when be frat
| entered Congress, in 1s43, the expepses Of tha
| government we're only twenty millions per
| anBum. The country had gone through q N eypen
| slve Mexican war, with sxty-three thonsaEd
soldiers il the field, for fifythree millions. Now
| in time OF peace. the estimates were seventy.
| three millions. There were many exnepditures
which were wholly unuecc cessary, and a reform
was indispensaby Tequisite He believed that
| forty millions was en- abundance for the rational
expense. lie was, therefore, opposed 20 an in
| crease Of the Irt na
bfonght within the present receipts.
Mr.. tTaTford, of Georgia, offered series Of
resolutions, as substitute for those offered BY
AiT- Gsrnett which the latter accepted
The first resolution declares it inoxpedient to
disturb the tariff OF 1851. The second provides
tor the appointment ola committee of FIVE to re-
port at the next meeting OF the caucus the :aean5
by which the expenses OF the government can be
reduced.
MIR. Crawford believed, and was advised to that
enect at the Treasury department, that he simple
extension of the treasury notes for one or two
Jears, authorizing lie re issae of the notes for
nearly twenty millions. which ere reGeepiab'e
mex July, would be 6utfciautto relieve the trea.
sury.
Mr. Taylor, Of louisiana, expressed himself
strongly aEainat any decided action a. the present
til.e lie believed tito be due the Democratic
party. and the country, to postpone further pro-
ceedings until general meeting of The Democrats
OF The House could be called to consider the Ieso
lutions.
MIR. Stewart, of Maryland, made en- iueffectua
motion 10 table the resolutions
Mr. Reagan, Dir. Phelp-, of Minnesota, Mr.
Craige, sf North Carolina, and otbers participated
in the debate.
The resolutions were then adopted by nearly
unanimous vote.
Mr.. George Taylor, Ct New York. was opposed
10 these proceedings ct this time. He thou ght it
premature, ard calculated to place gentlemen in
false position before the country. He was unwil-
ling to bind himself by the proceedings of this
caucus representing, as it did, lees than one-haf
o. the Democratic members of the House.
lie therefore moved to reconsider the vote by
which the resolutions were adopted, with the view
to have :he motion entered, go shat they might
be called up for consideration at the next meeting
ou motion OF Mr.. Burnett, Of Kentucky, the
caucus adjourned till Saturday night
general invitation will, it Ia understood. in the
meantime be extended to all of the Democratic
members Of the House, TO be present at the next
meeting.