Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-03
Democratic Caucus.

Pursuant t. a call read by me 'lerh ol the
House at the adjournment yesterday, caucus
composed of members opposed 10 moditlc''
ton ofthc tariff. assembled last night in the
House Of Representatives. About fifty mrln'
hers. chiefly from the Southern States, were
present. The whole Democratic delegation
from Illinois was present As were two mem
hers from Minnesota, one from OHIO. and two
rrom New York. No member from Pennsyl-
vania was i'll attendance.
Mr.. J. Cochranc Of y York Was called
+, the Chair. and Messrs. Caranaugh. OF
Minnesota. and Rufhn, of North Carolina,
were appointed Secretaries.
Mr.. Millson. of Virginia, said that he was
not inclined to be bound by the action OF the
caucus. He thought that the House was the
nrorcr place for settling the question.
Mr.. Garnett. of Virginia, offered resolution
appointing II committee oi hve To take INTO
consideration the subject of retrenchment
and reform in the expenditures OF the govern
mcnt and declaring against modification oi
the tariff.
Mr.. Stewart. of Maryland said that he was
NOT satisfied that he could propcrl attend the
caucus lie was now. and had Away, been.
in favor Of a judiciou> tariff for purposes OF
sufficient revenue.
Mr. Crawford. Of Ga. read the call under
which the caucu, had assembled. All op-
posed TO a change i'll the tariff, were invited to
attend. but il was understood that all Demo
crat, were welcome whatever might be their
orinion, on the subject under discussion.
Mr.. Houston. of Ala. was not inclined tn
attend IN adjourned meeting OF the caucus
Those present fully represented the force and
opinion Of those opposed 10 change III the
tariff
Messr>. Bark<dalc. of Miss. and Miles. OF
:. c.. declared themselves opposed 10 any
modification of the tariff They We're pledg-
ed to and in favor of tree-trade and direct
taxation.
Mr.. Lamar. of Miss. opposed a change in
the tariff. and thought that the time had
come when il was necessary for the Demo
cratic party to take decided position Oh III"
subject.
Mr. STEPHENS. of Geo. referred to the M
crossing expenditures Of the government. and
said that much larger appropriations were
required now. i'll Il time Of profound peace
than during the expensive Mexican war.
With proper administration, the govern
m,nt ought to hc carried on with the present
revenue.
NJ. Morris. of H.. asked the Chairman Of
the Committee OF Ways and Means Mr.
Phelps. of Mo-. whether the committee in
tended to report a bill Tor an increase of the
tariff, and suggested whether II would not be
better Ia prepare such bill. and submit II
10 the inspection uf the caucus at al ADJOURN
eel meeting.
Mr.. Phelps replied that he had for some
time desired t" introduce bill 10 modify the
tariff. for the purpose Of Increasing the reven-
ur. hut he he'd T. inform the gentleman that
the Committee Of Ways and Means had come
,ua dead lock. ami there was little hope Of
tn" cummiterr reporting bill which w"ui
find favor with the House.
Mr.. Crawford. If Cat. thought. from nior-
nation derived at the Treasury Department,
that sufficient relief 20 the government might
be- afforded bv extending the treasury note
law of ISIS for one or two years, authorizing
the S2O. GOO. UUG now outstanding. to be- refs
sued. He submitted two resolutions IL a
substitute for that uf Mr.. Garnet Of Va
first. thar it is nexpedient To modify the tar
lit: secondly. that committr" of five be APP
pointed to report at al adjourned meeting a
mode by which the public expenditures can
be materially reduced
Those resolutions were adopted almost
unanimously. Messrs. Phelps Of Minnesota,
Taylor of n Y, Taylor Of La, and "the.s,
participated in the discussion.
We understand that the caucus adjourned
until Saturday ncxt-UuSh. Siote& Fl yes
LenINN NLlclMOOM.